Highlights
Featured
The idea of China
- Alicja Bachulska, Mark Leonard, Janka Oertel
- Book
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
Aligned in the sand: How Europeans can help stabilise the Sahel
- Will Brown
- Policy Brief
Rather than disengaging from the coup belt, European governments should stay present and work to curb the worst of the chaos engulfing the region — and prevent rival powers from gaining the upper hand
The Orbanisation of America: Hungary’s lessons for Donald Trump
- Jeremy Shapiro, Zsuzsanna Végh
- Policy Brief
If Trump wins the US presidency, Republicans will likely adapt techniques refined in Viktor Orban’s Hungary as they return to power – with profound implications for both America and Europe
The Gaza crisis: Mapping the Middle East’s shifting battle lines
- Julien Barnes-Dacey, Cinzia Bianco, Hugh Lovatt
- Special
This new ECFR mapping project identifies the spillover effects of the Gaza war in countries across the Middle East
Upcoming events
Recent events
Europe’s choices ahead of the US presidential election
- Literature Club Peroto, 1 Bulgaria boulevard, National Palace of Culture, 1463, Sofia, Bulgaria
- ECFR Sofia
Lessons from Ukraine: Mapping out EU sanctions options for a Taiwan conflict
- ECFR Berlin, Unter den Linden 17, 10117 Berlin (entrance: Rosmarinstr. 1)
- ECFR Berlin
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
Regional war in the Middle East: Anatomy of a conflict one year after 7 October
- Podcast
- Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, Ellie Geranmayeh, and Hugh Lovatt to discuss the regional war in the Middle East one year on from the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel
Swamp Chronicles
Swamp Chronicles: Ed Luce on what is at stake in the 2024 election
- Podcast
- Swamp Chronicles
Aslı Aydıntaşbaş and Jeremy Shapiro talk to Ed Luce to talk about what either a Kamala Harris or Donald Trump victory would mean for America, US foreign policy, and Europe
Views from the Council
Transatlantic uncertainty demands European resolve and German initiative
- Norbert Röttgen
- Commentary
- View from the Council
- 5 minute read
Whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump wins the election, Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security
Zelensky has a game-changing plan to win peace. For it to work, Biden must back it – fast
- Timothy Garton Ash
- Commentary
- View from the Council
- 4 minute read
In besieged Kharkiv, I saw how Ukraine is approaching a perilous moment. To turn the tide, it first needs to decisively knock back Russia
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
US elections
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?
Defending Europe with less America
- Camille Grand
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.
The interest of values: The EU’s democracy promotion in the Western Balkans and the eastern neighbourhood
- Piotr Buras, Marie Dumoulin, Tefta Kelmendi, Marlene Marx
Re:Order
Re:Order project explores emerging visions of the global order, as well as the interplay between economic might and geopolitical influence.
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Transatlantic uncertainty demands European resolve and German initiative
- Norbert Röttgen
- Commentary
- View from the Council
- 5 minute read
Whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump wins the election, Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security
The point of no return: Why the EU must not send Syrians refugees back
- Julien Barnes-Dacey
- Policy Alert
- 2 minute read
European leaders are debating how to increase Syrian refugee returns. But rather than pushing for deportations, the bloc should focus on addressing security concerns and improving economic conditions inside Syria to encourage voluntary returns
Still free to choose: What Polisario’s legal win means for EU ties with Morocco and Western Sahara
- Hugh Lovatt
- Commentary
- 5 minute read
The CJEU has blocked the EU’s inclusion of Western Sahara in its trade and fishery agreements with Morocco. The bloc should now open talks with Polisario to reach a compromise trade deal and support UN-led peace efforts
Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe demands a surge in European support for its civil society
- Jonas Horner
- Commentary
- 3 minute read
Mutual aid and civilian representative groups have proven their capability and deserve deeper European backing
Divided we stand: The EU votes on Chinese electric vehicle tariffs
- Agathe Demarais
- Commentary
- 3 minute read
The EU vote in favour of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles has exposed divisions across EU member states on how to approach the challenges that China’s economic rise pose
The sweating bear: Why Russia’s influence in Africa is under threat
- Will Brown
- Commentary
- 4 minute read
While Russia remains a potent player in parts of Africa, recent events in the Sahelian states have shown that Russian forces are deeply overstretched and losing credibility. It is obvious to all involved that Moscow has no solutions – which leaves a diplomatic opening for the West
Our experts are available for media requests. Our work involves many issues relating to Europe and foreign policy, and our programmes focus on Africa, Asia, the Middle East & North Africa, and Wider Europe.
Piotr Buras on the risk associated with the fact that Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk is planning to temporarily suspend the right of asylum
More on Africa
Beyond competition: How Europe can harness the UAE’s energy ambitions in Africa
- Maddalena Procopio, Corrado Čok
- Policy Brief
The UAE has invested heavily in Africa’s energy sectors in recent years, expanding its stakes in oil and gas, and renewables. Rather than viewing the UAE as solely a rival, Europeans should pursue a strategy of “co-opetition”, balancing competition with cooperation in areas of mutual interest, to fast-track green initiatives
Time for action: Envisioning a new approach to protect civilians in Sudan
- Amgad Fareid Eltayeb
- Commentary
- 4 minute read
Deserted: Europe’s dilemma in the Sahel
- Will Brown
- Policy Alert
- 2 minute read
More on Asia
Trust and trade-offs: How to manage Europe’s green technology dependence on China
- Alexander Lipke, Janka Oertel, Daniel O’Sullivan
- Policy Brief
European policymakers need to answer the ‘trust question’ of how far they want Chinese companies involved in green industries such as solar energy, batteries, and electric vehicles
Russia, Ukraine, and the two Koreas: How east Asian powers are influencing Europe’s security
- James Crabtree, Alexander Lipke
- Commentary
- 4 minute read
Forget the bear hug: India’s gradual turn from Russia, towards the West
- James Crabtree
- Commentary
- 3 minute read
More on European Power
Control-Alt-Deliver: A digital grand strategy for the European Union
- José Ignacio Torreblanca, Giorgos Verdi
- Policy Brief
The EU is falling behind the US and China in the digital realm. It urgently needs a new agenda combining innovation, security, and influence for an age of geopoliticised technology
Inventing NATO 3.0: Why Rutte should bridge the EU and the US for a stronger alliance
- Camille Grand
- Commentary
- 6 minute read
Building BRICS: What Erdogan’s geopolitical gamble could mean for the West
- Aslı Aydıntaşbaş
- Commentary
- 4 minute read
More on Middle East and North Africa
Mending fences: Europe’s stake in the Saudi-Iran detente
- Julien Barnes-Dacey, Cinzia Bianco
- Policy Brief
Saudi-Iran diplomacy offers a rare path to prevent deepening conflict in the Middle East and support regional stability. Europeans should see this diplomacy as a chance to address their core interests, and not just as Iran’s attempt to bypass Western pressure
Victory foretold: How Europeans should respond to Tunisia’s unfair presidential election
- Anthony Dworkin
- Commentary
- 3 minute read
After Nasrallah: Ways to de-escalate the burgeoning Middle East conflict
- Julien Barnes-Dacey, Hugh Lovatt
- Policy Alert
- 2 minute read
More on United States
Imagining Trump 2.0: Six scary policy scenarios for a second term
- Célia Belin, Majda Ruge, Jeremy Shapiro
- Policy Brief
The potential return of Donald Trump to the White House is a matter of months away. Here are six scary policy scenarios to give Europeans sleepless nights and prepare them for what could be to come
Letter from Washington: The unbearable lightness of policy
- Jeremy Shapiro
- Commentary
- 4 minute read
The US election will overturn Europe’s strategic status quo
- Mark Leonard
- Commentary
- 3 minute read
More on Wider Europe
The interest of values: The EU’s democracy promotion in the Western Balkans and the eastern neighbourhood
- Piotr Buras, Marie Dumoulin, Tefta Kelmendi, Marlene Marx
- Policy Brief
With EU enlargement back on the agenda, democracy promotion in candidate countries is a key geopolitical interest for the bloc. The EU’s previous efforts to promote democracy in the Western Balkans and eastern neighbourhood may hold valuable lessons for the years ahead
Building BRICS: What Erdogan’s geopolitical gamble could mean for the West
- Aslı Aydıntaşbaş
- Commentary
- 4 minute read
Zelensky has a game-changing plan to win peace. For it to work, Biden must back it – fast
- Timothy Garton Ash
- Commentary
- View from the Council
- 4 minute read