Highlights
Featured
What if Russia wins in Ukraine? We can already see the shadows of a dark 2025
Instability is growing, Putin’s hybrid war in Europe is heating up, and for fear of escalation we have encouraged global nuclear proliferation
The likely lads: Why Merz’s new political generation will decide Germany’s future
Friedrich Merz is likely to be the next chancellor of Germany. But the CDU leader will usher in a generational shift, moving the country away from its Europe-first approach and towards new intergovernmental alliances
Farce then tragedy: Russian views of the West and what they mean for Ukraine
How the Kremlin’s view of a declining US and a mercurial Europe shapes the prospects for a Trump-Putin deal
The purpose of sanctions: Why Europe and America should begin lifting measures on Syria
Europeans and Americans should work closely together on a staged sanctions lifting process. They must connect this to respect for human rights and the holding of elections
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
Forging peace: Europe’s role in Ukraine’s future
Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Grand, Jana Kobzova, and Nicu Popescu to discuss European security guarantees for Ukraine and the path to sustainable peace
ECFR on air
Saudi Arabia and Trump: What’s next for the Middle East
Ellie Geranmayeh welcomes Dr. Manal Radwan to talk about the impact of Donald Trump’s election for the wars in the Middle East
Views from the Council
What if Russia wins in Ukraine? We can already see the shadows of a dark 2025
Instability is growing, Putin’s hybrid war in Europe is heating up, and for fear of escalation we have encouraged global nuclear proliferation
Offensive strategy: The EU’s economic security
Defensive economic strategies might slow Europe’s decline, but they won’t secure its future. Only bold reforms and an offensive trade agenda can restore its competitive edge
In the Media - Council
Karolina Wigura on the German government’s decision to reimpose checks at its borders
Lea Ypi on British interest in the migrant pact struck between Italy and Albania
Daniela Schwarzer discusses lessons Draghi’s report on competitiveness holds for Germany
Gerald Knaus criticises plans to turn away refugees at the German border
Featured and flagship projects
Countdown to Trump
What would a Trump win mean for transatlantic relations? Would a Harris presidency mark another, different sort of turning point? What can – and should – a Europe with less US mean?
Featured
Re:Engage
This project helps the EU in refining its foreign policy, re-engaging neighbours post-Russia's invasion of Ukraine to bolster regional resilience and advance enlargement policies.
Featured
Re:Order
Re:Order project explores emerging visions of the global order, as well as the interplay between economic might and geopolitical influence.
Featured
Latest
Empowering Poland: The role of international partnerships
To effectively transition to a low-carbon economy while bolstering energy security and economic stability, Poland is betting on cooperation with international partners
Balka-Seltzer: How to avoid excess gas in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans could enact a comprehensive energy transition straight from coal to renewables – but the region seems to be drifting towards greater use of gas. It is in both the EU’s and the Western Balkans’ interest to mitigate this trend
From niche innovations to global powerhouse: An EU quantum strategy
Quantum technologies are transforming the global economic and security landscape, and the EU has much to gain. But without decisive action to address funding gaps and coordination challenges, its leadership potential may remain unrealised
Climate of connection: The Western Balkans, the EU, and the value of transport
The EU can work with existing regional integration mechanisms in the Western Balkans to help cut carbon emissions through transport investment
Why France should close its permanent military bases in Africa
Chad and Senegal recently announced the end of their historic defence agreements with France. Now France should hand over its remaining military bases in Africa and work towards a more forward-thinking cooperation model
The year in review: ECFR readers’ top choices of 2024
From the elections in Europe and the United States, to developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, check out ECFR’s most popular reads of 2024
In his op-ed, Jeremy Cliffe argues that Europe needs a new leading bloc—an “E5” including Spain—to address its strategic challenges
Rafael Loss on the false claim of the necessity of German soldiers in Ukraine for a Taurus deployment
In his op-ed, Piotr Buras argues that Europe’s future lies between Tusk’s and Orbán’s competing visions
More on Africa
Rules of entry: Cooperative pathways for Europe and Africa on critical minerals
European countries want to secure supplies of African critical raw materials. To achieve this, they must increasingly meet locally set requirements that channel benefits into local economies in Africa
More on Asia
The idea of China
China’s ideas could become the country’s next big export. The Idea of China examines Chinese thinking about global order, AI, demographic change, and more – and considers how these ideas could influence the world
More on European Power
Empowering Poland: The role of international partnerships
To effectively transition to a low-carbon economy while bolstering energy security and economic stability, Poland is betting on cooperation with international partners
More on Middle East and North Africa
Dealing with Trump, Israel, and Hamas: The path to peace in the Middle East
With a two-state solution at risk, Europeans must work closely with Arab states to bring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to an end
More on United States
Trump’s tinderbox: US politics and the next war in the Balkans
Serbian revisionism is on the march and would be greatly strengthened by a Trump win. The EU must prepare a deterrence plan — and take greater responsibility for Western Balkan security
More on Wider Europe
Balka-Seltzer: How to avoid excess gas in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans could enact a comprehensive energy transition straight from coal to renewables – but the region seems to be drifting towards greater use of gas. It is in both the EU’s and the Western Balkans’ interest to mitigate this trend