What seemed, at the initial stage, that is to say, in the early weekend of November 17, 2018, that it was just a fleeting rebellion over fuel prices, was not confirmed at the end of the next week when Paris and other cities Frenchmen have known manifestations of 'yellow vestS' of tens of thousands of people. In addition to peaceful protests, violent aspects, arson, clashes with the police, which used tear gas and arrested hundreds of protesters in large cities, were also recorded. The widening dimensions of these weekly demonstrations, their contagion to other states, quickly made it possible to talk about this phenomenon of "yellow vests" as one that highlighted the public opinion fracture in France and, in general, in Europe, the determined polarization by the neo-liberal policies of the EU, not least by the resurgence of a certain form of ominous nationalism in the liberal vision for the future of the continent.

In front of a growing wave of criticism, coming from all the cardinal and institutional points, for the decision to withdraw the US troops from Syria (taken inadvertently on Dec. 19), on December 23, President Trump wrote on twitter:

@realDonaldTrump:
President @RT_Erdogan of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria ... and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right 'next door.' Our troops are coming home!
8:54 PM - 23 Dec 2018 ".
Trump's decision, following a telephone conversation with Turkish leader Erdogan, triggered an unexpected resignation of Secretary of Defense, General Mattis (operational since February next year) and motivated by the absence of "geopolitical chemistry", ie different orientations against the allies and enemies, Mattis being already considered the "last adult in the room" capable of harnessing the boss of the White House, as well as a hostile reaction by the representatives of the legislatures of both parties, and especially of the note, of Israel .
Of course, on a more informed analysis, the decision was not as unexpected as it is believed. Information that exploded in the international press after Trump's announcement shows that it was a secret understanding of further developments in Syria. Here is the Israeli source this secret understanding: "The Russian forces currently in Syria will take action to curb Hezbollah and Iranian activity there, according to Israel, the United States, Jordan and Saudi Arabia with the Russian President Vladimir Putin and Jordanian official confirmed to Israel Hayom[...]

Challenging Brussels has become the political hobby of the day. It has become a big boys’ affair, but Central and Eastern Europe was assigned the role of a "fighting brand" designed to keep pressure on those who wish to stay with the European status quo. 

The "Three Seas Initiative" is in its third year. The recent event in Bucharest has just closed and it is time to evaluate the prospects of the project. 

The battle lines are already drawn and it is getting worse – the US administration and European leaders are permanently expanding the list of contentious issues. Most of the countries in the Central and Eastern European region have been trying to avoid taking sides openly in the dispute, although it has been an increasingly difficult game. After all, until not long ago EU and NATO expansion were processes progressing almost simultaneously, and the transatlantic links were rather an enabler. Are the transatlantic controversies going to impact the business climate in the region?