Highlights
Featured
Climate of cooperation: How the EU can help deliver a green grand bargain
The bloc should reframe the international debate on energy security to focus on clean energy resources and efficiency, engaging in the market reforms needed to incentivise this shift
Power play: Europe’s climate diplomacy in the Gulf
If the EU is to achieve its climate and geopolitical goals, it will need to substantially increase its engagement with Gulf states on the European Green Deal
Burning ambition: Egypt’s return to regional leadership and how Europe should respond
The Egyptian regime has become somewhat more open to discussing matters such as human rights than Western capitals sometimes assume
What Europeans think about the US-China Cold War
A majority of European citizens believe a new cold war with both China and Russia is under way – but they mostly do not think that their own country is involved
The election to the German Bundestag on 26 September 2021 will have repercussions far beyond Germany. Whoever succeeds Angela Merkel will have a decisive influence on whether and how the country positions itself as a leading power in Europe in the coming years.
ECFR works toward advancing this debate and having a role in shaping the foreign policy agenda of the next German government.
Beyond Merkelism: What Europeans expect of post-election Germany
Paradoxically, to fulfil many Europeans’ expectations, Berlin will need to revise the principles of Merkelism that created this trust
Lead time: How Germany should move on from Merkel | Episode 3 – Economic Coercion
How can the next German government build up Europe’s strength against economic coercion?
Podcasts
French Connection: Macron’s plans for Europe
What are Macron’s plans for the EU Council presidency in 2022 and beyond?
Featured projects
European Sovereignty
To prosper and maintain their independence in a world of geopolitical competition, the EU needs to learn to think like a geopolitical power
Featured
Re:shape Global Europe
The project strives to engage citizens across Europe and generate a wide debate about the purpose of European power in the twenty-first century
Featured
Public opinion polling
Through polling in EU member states, ECFR’s analysis seeks to unlock shifting coalitions in Europe that favour a more internationally engaged union
Featured
Latest
The climate trust gap: How the EU can bridge divides in Glasgow
The EU risks losing the confidence of developing nations when it comes to the green transition. But it can bridge this trust gap, if it takes action at COP26 and beyond.
Russia’s ‘gas pivot’ to Asia: How Europe can protect itself and pursue the green transition
Europeans need to pay closer attention to Russia’s growing opportunities to sell gas to China and other countries in Asia – otherwise they could be left even more at Moscow’s mercy
Sudan coup attempt: How Europe can defend Sudan’s transition to democracy
Sudan’s civilian protest movement is fighting for democracy. Europe can play a decisive role, but to do so its condemnation must come with consequences.
The road back to democracy in central Europe
The selection of a lead opposition candidate in Hungary is a promising sign for the strength of democracy in Europe. Democrats throughout the EU should lend their support to restoring the rule of law.
Nuclear talks under Raisi: Iran’s diplomats are going slow to appear smart
Western observers are despairing at the lack of progress on Iran nuclear talks. But the Raisi administration and the Iranian people both want sanctions relief to help the economy – meaning there is still cause for optimism.
Iraqis’ vote to restrain armed groups
In the wake of Iraq’s parliamentary election, European states should be highly cautious about publicly engaging with Iraqi policy on armed groups. They should only help Baghdad deal with this issue following a direct request.
The EU needs a new dedicated Chief Security Officer, an official whose job would be to “security proof” everything the bloc does
ECFR Council member Wolfgang Ischinger calls for a stronger and more coherent view on security to ensure that all new EU policies and regulations add to European security
[Poland represents] a test case as to whether a legal system in which the independence of the judiciary is not given can be tolerated in the EU
Piotr Buras fears that Poland’s behaviour could change the nature of the EU and undermine its foundations
It is a crucial moment in the dispute between the EU and the Polish government. No one can or should walk away from it now.
Becoming the Gulf countries’ main partner on green hydrogen would give Europe huge commercial and geopolitical advantages
Cinzia Bianco’s comment on the need of a European cooperation with the Gulf on the green dossier
More on Africa
Mapping African regional cooperation: How to navigate Africa’s institutional landscape
Regional organisations have proliferated in Africa, with many organisations attempting to address similar issues in similar parts of the continent. Europeans should take stock of the situation they have helped create.
More on Asia
Moving closer: European views of the Indo-Pacific
It will take more than just strong support from France, Germany, and the Netherlands to ensure that the new EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific is effective in the long term
More on European Power
Europe’s invisible divides: How covid-19 is polarising European politics
Europe’s covid-19 experience has been a tale of two pandemics – and the differences in each story could haunt the continent for many years to come
More on Middle East and North Africa
People before politicians: How Europeans can help rebuild Lebanon
Lebanon is home to key strategic interests for the EU, which does not want another failed state on the Mediterranean
More on Wider Europe
Waves of ambition: Russia’s military build-up in Crimea and the Black Sea
Russia’s capacity to carry out large-scale military operations against Black Sea states allows it to coerce and extort them
Views from the Council
Europe’s post-Afghanistan to-do list
The EU’s approach to foreign policy and economic policy needs to account for the fact that, globally, the space between the two areas is increasingly narrow