Highlights
Featured
Combined farces: Russia’s early military failures in Ukraine
The Kremlin’s secrecy in waging war on Ukraine has created severe problems on the battlefield. Inadequate force generation seems responsible for many of these problems.
Why Ukraine needs greater military support from the West
Many more Ukrainians want to defend their country than have the weapons to do so. An increase in Western military support is vital to Ukraine’s survival.
Acts of normality: The potential for Turkey-Armenia rapprochement
After decades of tension, Turkey and Armenia now feel it is in their interest to normalise their relationship – not least to promote trade and to balance against Russian influence
Let a thousand contacts bloom: How China competes for influence in Bulgaria
China is expanding its presence in Bulgaria through a strategy of engagement with state and non-state actors. This has concerning implications in areas such as technology transfer, critical infrastructure, and public procurement.
The crisis of European security: What Europeans think about the war in Ukraine
Europeans are united around three key ideas about the war in Ukraine. The crisis will likely test their readiness to defend the European security order.
Welcome to the jungle
As a paranoid dictator, Vladimir Putin has survived by eliminating anyone who could pose a threat to him. But now that he has triggered the survival instinct of Europe and the broader West, the world is entering a dangerous new phase of existential conflict.
Podcasts
War in Ukraine: a stale-mate for the West and NATO’s future?
How should Europe react to Russian loss or indeed victory in this war? And what are the possible ramifications for the West?
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
Welcome to the jungle
As a paranoid dictator, Vladimir Putin has survived by eliminating anyone who could pose a threat to him. But now that he has triggered the survival instinct of Europe and the broader West, the world is entering a dangerous new phase of existential conflict.
Out of the dark: Reinventing European defence cooperation
Russia’s all-out war on Ukraine has convinced many European states to rebuild their militaries. In doing so, they should initially focus on readiness, capability gaps, and joint equipment procurement and research.
Agreement and uncertainty: The Iran nuclear deal in a new global order
In an unstable world, Western policymakers need a new approach to Iran. They should think beyond non-proliferation to account for the country’s attempts at strategic balancing.
Southern discomfort: The West’s competition with China in the Balkans
The West has only recently started to develop a coordinated strategy to compete with China in the Balkans. This contest has now begun in earnest.
Balance of power: Gulf states, Russia, and European energy security
Gulf monarchies’ refusal to side with the US and Europe against Russia is not about Russia. It is about a transactional approach to protecting national interests and avoiding the costs of strategic alignment.
How to train your dictator: Putin’s control over Lukashenka
Lukashenka is complicit in Russia’s war on Ukraine. But this should not stigmatise members of the Belarusian democratic movement – who need more support than they are receiving.
The mistake of Nord Stream 2, now on hold, is entirely [Merkel’s]
Putin saw the whole thing as a special military operation. He probably thought it would be done in a few days. Now the Russian troops are forced to regroup.
Gustav Gressel believes that the next two weeks could be decisive for the further outcome of the war and the fate of Ukraine
Putin has used these kinds of talks as distractions to make progress on the military front before
Strengthening the Eastern flank with a presence that is no longer merely symbolic but one of operational defence serves to reinforce Western credibility when diplomatic negotiations get under way
Gustav Gressel explains the consequences of Nato’s decision to further strengthen military presence on the eastern front.
More on Africa
Gateway to growth: How the European Green Deal can strengthen Africa’s and Europe’s economies
Africa’s burgeoning innovation economies offer huge opportunities for the continent – and for Europe as it looks to tackle the climate crisis and respond to China’s BRI global connectivity programme
More on Asia
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
More on European Power
A certain idea of Europe: How the next French president can lead
The next French president should pursue a strong European foreign policy agenda to protect Europeans against the threats they are most concerned about
More on Middle East and North Africa
Building security: How Europeans can help reform Libya
Europeans can play a meaningful role in the reform of Libya’s security sector if they adopt a shared strategy and operational principles
More on Wider Europe
It’s complicated: Russia’s tricky relationship with China
The West does not have an opportunity to prompt a policy U-turn in Moscow that divides Russia and China. But it could give Russia space to hedge against China in key areas
Views from the Council
The fight for Europe’s digital future
If the West loses the race to gain the economic, security, and social benefits of AI and other advanced technologies, there will be a fundamental shift in the global order