James C. O’Brien moderated a workshop sought to define effective strategies for small and middle powers to garner significance on the geopolitical stage. The workshop brought together high-level professionals from different sectors, and they analyzed small and middle powers competing for a seat at the UN Security Council, identified their defining characteristics, assessed their assets, and examined their weaknesses.
During the discussion, participants stress-tested currently adopted strategies against the backdrop of the theoretical framework, identified pitfalls, discovered opportunities, and analyzed the feasibility of policy plans.
James C. O’Brien is Europe’s Futures Visiting Fellow at the IWM. He served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs until January 2025. Previously held positions include heading the Office of Sanctions Coordination, and in the Obama Administration he was special envoy for hostage affairs. As career official at the State Department from 1989 to 2001, he was senior adviser to US Permanent Representative to the UN and Secretary of State Madeline Albright and presidential envoy for the Balkans; in addition, he served in the Office of the Secretary for Policy Planning as well as in the Office of the Legal Adviser.
Ivan Krastev, IWM Albert Hirschman Permanent Fellow, co-chaired the workshop.
