Highlights
Featured
Alone in a Trumpian world: The EU and global public opinion after the US elections
Citizens of global powers are upbeat about a second Trump presidency – but this is by no means universal, particularly among traditional US allies
Topple, tame, trade: How Turkey is rewriting Syria’s future
Turkey didn’t orchestrate Assad’s fall, but it’s certainly cashing in on the aftermath. Now, it wants to mould Syria in its own image—if it can keep the Kurds from spoiling the party
A cold front: Denmark’s response to Trump’s desire for Greenland
Trump’s obsession with buying Greenland has turned the island into a geopolitical flashpoint, leaving Europeans uneasy and Denmark navigating choppy waters over the island’s political future
Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans
Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
The Norwegian way: Why Oslo talks to everyone
Mark Leonard welcomes Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik to discuss Norway’s distinct approach to diplomacy and international engagement
Searching for Deutschland
Euroscepticism in Germany: Normalisation or radicalisation?
This week, hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin discuss German election campaign frontrunner Friedrich Merz’s bid to win Bundestag votes on migration with support from…
Views from the Council
In the new Trumpian era, liberal democracies must hold their noses—and engage with difficult partners
New polling says much of the world will welcome Trump. Europe will need to be more transactional abroad—but less so at home
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
In the Media - Council
Mark Leonard, Ivan Krastev, and Timothy Garton Ash on ECFR’s latest global survey
Mark Leonard, Ivan Krastev, and Timothy Garton Ash on ECFR’s latest global survey
Mark Leonard, Timothy Garton Ash and Ivan Krastev on ECFR’s latest global survey on Trump’s return to the White House
Mark Leonard, Ivan Krastev, and Timothy Garton Ash on the findings of the ECFR’s latest polling report
Featured and flagship projects
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
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
Synch and swim: How escaping Russia’s electricity grid can strengthen Baltic energy security
The synchronisation of the Baltic states with EU electricity networks will enhance their energy security in the face of Russian threats—but further investment is needed
Echoes of Minsk: Lukashenka’s potential gain in Trump’s Ukraine deal
Trump could grant Lukashenka sanctions relief without demanding any meaningful concessions in return. The EU must continue to maintain pressure
A double bind: How unrest and geopolitics could end Serbia’s government
Mass protests are destabilising Aleksandar Vucic’s rule and his “à la carte” foreign policy positioning. As Serbia’s president faces his toughest challenge yet, the EU should seize the moment to support democratic change and regional stability
The Norwegian way: Why Oslo talks with everyone and still believes in multilateralism
Norway still champions the UN, international law—and dialogue with adversaries. Communicating with all actors is in Norway’s and the West’s interests, writes the country’s deputy foreign minister, Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik
What Europe can learn from Trump’s trade manoeuvres against Canada and Mexico
Donald Trump announced that the US was imposing high trade tariffs against Canada and Mexico—only to pause them a few hours later. Europeans should monitor Trump’s playbook and learn from the countries’ response
Borrowed time: How defence spending can bridge the EU’s fiscal divide
Europe’s geopolitical strength hinges on its ability to invest boldly and cooperatively. To transcend the divide between its frugal and spender member states, the EU should begin with defence spending
Agathe Demarais on Trump’s potential imposition of tariffs on European goods
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
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