Highlights
Featured
Welcome to the jungle: Trump’s Board of Peace goes global
The US president’s Board of Peace has less to do with peace, in Gaza or elsewhere, and more to do with enforcing a new, transactional global order. Welcome to the America-First Trumpian world
Five steps to stop Greenland’s annexation destroying the EU
The US president is hell-bent on owning Greenland. Annexation could destroy not only NATO but the EU, if European leaders do not resolutely act
Arctic hold‘em: Ten European cards in Greenland
Europeans have real leverage in the face of Donald Trump’s threats towards Greenland—and time on their side. They must use it to raise the prospective costs of annexation
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
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
Live from Davos with Alexander Stubb
In this episode, Mark Leonard sits down with Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, in Davos for a conversation about Donald Trump’s view of Ukraine, Greenland, the world and Europe’s place in it. They explore the clash between advocates of…
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
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
Carl Bildt on the Trump’s obsession with the Western Hemisphere and his willingness to assert power over Greenland
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
Trump’s culture war on Europe is far from over
While unpopular in Europe, Trump’s new penchant for waging war could still help his ideological allies across the continent
When in Rome: The Italian-German motor in action
New alignment between Rome and Berlin could power the EU forward on many fronts
How Europe can help Iranians break the internet shutdown
Tehran has used a communications blackout to suppress nationwide protests and control information flows. French and UK governments can use their own satellite terminals to provide Iranians with independent internet access
Keep ice cool: How Europeans should respond to Trump’s Greenland tariff threats
Rather than panicking or posturing, European leaders should prioritise EU unity, pinpoint their leverage and consider buying time
EU-Mercosur deal: Take the win, but change the tune
With the EU-Mercosur deal signed after 25 years of negotiations, free trade advocates in Europe may feel triumphant. But their narrative is no longer convincing. As China undercuts industry worldwide, it’s time to refresh the open market story
Putin’s longest war: Calling time on Russia’s endurance myth
Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine has now lasted longer than the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany, with incomparably smaller gains. The West should stop buying into Moscow’s bluff that Russia is invincible; instead, it should use the Kremlin’s weaknesses and double down on its support for Ukraine to bring about real negotiations to end the war
Alberto Rizzi on the US’s current options for securing icebreaker ships, and how Finland is using them for geopolitical and economic leverage
Alberto Rizzi on the key role of icebreakers in accessing Greenland and its main production countries
Tiago Antunes on his recent research visit to Greenland, which aimed to verify Trump’s arguments and include Greenland’s perspective
Ivan Krastev on the ECFR policy brief How Trump is making China great again—and what it means for Europe,
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
The green great game: Crafting an EU-Central Asia energy alliance
With the difficult post-Soviet years behind it, Central Asia is becoming more integrated and actively seeking partnerships beyond Russia and China
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