Highlights
Featured
Carbon bargain: How Europe can adapt to Africa’s new energy alliances
Europeans must adapt their approach to supporting Africa’s energy transitions—or risk losing out to China and other competitors
Don’t look down: How Europeans can escape China’s clean-tech gravity
China’s manufacturing surge and trade tactics are dampening Europe’s clean-tech goals. Europeans need to forge coalitions across wary member states to secure their energy independence
Traps and limits: Why Trump bombing Iran won’t deliver what he wants
The US is locked in a cat-and-mouse game of escalation with Iran. Europeans should work with partners in the Middle East to restrain Trump’s military attacks, prevent broader war and pursue measures to protect against the fates that befell Libya and Syria
A new world in trade: How Europeans can make the most of the India deal
The new EU-India free trade agreement could become a template for 21st-century trade governance
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
Europe-Africa relations in 2026
Mark Leonard welcomes Nathalie Delapalme, Carlos Lopes and Alex Vines to discover the pathways and bottlenecks facing the Europe-Africa relationship
ECFR on air
Trust, anger and the limits of EU democracy promotion
Jessica Hendrick is joined by Morten Bøås to go inside RE-ENGAGE’s fieldwork across six EU candidate countries—revealing what citizens actually trust, why anger matters more than apathy and what Brussels keeps getting wrong about democracy promotion
Views from the Council
Trump strikes Venezuela: Three conclusions for Europe
Trump’s military action in Venezuela highlights America’s hemispheric turn, its disregard for international law and the president’s growing reliance on force. Europe faces tough choices to defend its interests
Only Europe can save Ukraine from Putin and Trump—but will it?
Whether using frozen Russian assets, ramping up defence production or deepening the relationship with the EU, it is up to us to secure Ukraine’s future—and our own
In the Media - Council
Timothy Garton Ash on the EU’s altered view of the transatlantic relationship and the necessity for new internationalism
Ivan Krastev on the current perception of NATO in Europe and its future in the Trump era
Timothy Garton Ash on Trump’s threat to seize Greenland by military force and the necessity for a new internationalism
Featured and flagship projects
The Data Collection
Explore our open-access data platform for unparalleled access to ECFR’s public opinion polls—empowering research and insight on today’s key foreign policy issues.
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
Time to align: How Europe can compete with China on clean tech in Africa
The EU must take concrete steps to support African ambitions to move exporting or processing raw materials and become a maker of clean technologies
Nuuk-lear standoff: Why the US and Europe should cooperate on missile defence in the Arctic
Greenland has long played a strategic role in Western defence and missile warning systems. Now Trump’s “Golden Dome” plan offers an opportunity for US-Europe cooperation to boost Arctic security and nuclear deterrence
Band of brothers: Why like-minded powers need to hold the line on China
Like-minded countries are starting to protect themselves from US unpredictability and Chinese dominance by forging new coalitions. This will only work if they limit their solo deals with Beijing
Power struggle: What the Saudi-UAE rivalry means for the Red Sea—and Europe
The Saudi-UAE clash is reshaping dynamics across Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Europe needs to pay attention as new alignments crystallise against what is increasingly framed as a UAE-Israel-Ethiopia axis
It’s the (geo)economy, stupid: Why the EU-India deal matters beyond trade
The EU and India have just concluded the biggest trade deal in their respective histories. Europeans will benefit from lower tariffs with the G20’s fastest-growing economy—and potentially game-changing geoeconomic ties
From summits to substance: Europe’s chance to meet Africa on its terms
Africa is awash with summits this year. If Europe wants to stand out, it must stay long after the photos have been taken
More on Africa
Middle power dreaming: The geopolitics of Angola’s emergence
Angola is increasingly active in the world. Here is how Europeans can cooperate with this rising middle power
More on Asia
The Taiwan test: Why Europe should help deter China
China’s military capabilities are growing and its actions in Europe are becoming more disruptive. The EU should support Taiwan with dual-use technologies and defence cooperation to send a clear signal to Beijing
More on European Power
How Trump is making China great again—and what it means for Europe
A post-Western world is learning to love China, while Europeans are starting to fear America
More on European Security
Accelerate the accessions: Why faster is better in EU enlargement policy
The Ukraine war has revived EU enlargement for Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine, but they face obstacles. Accelerating membership for these frontrunners would unlock the process before rivals can take advantage
More on Middle East and North Africa
Averting West Bank collapse: How to revive Palestinian politics
Hollowed out by violent Israeli control and Mahmoud Abbas’s personal rule, the Palestinian Authority is losing its grip on the West Bank. European and Arab states must intervene to rebuild legitimate governance and keep Palestinian self-determination alive
More on United States
The bear in the Baltics: Reassessing the Russian threat in Estonia
While Estonia’s geography makes it vulnerable to a Russian invasion, it is also protected due to weakened Russian capabilities, stronger European defence cooperation and its own preparedness. NATO’s European members should be reassured but not complacent