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Actually, maybe: How German Angst could become Europe’s nightmare
Germany’s political centre is crumbling—but its leaders appear unable to get ahead of the impending crisis
Climate of concern: The changing face of social movements in North Africa
Social movements in North Africa increasingly focus on environmental concerns and the impact of climate change. Europeans must ensure their cooperation with governments in the region does not end up adding to activists’ grievances
Buzzkill: How to defend Europe against drones
Drone warfare in Europe is no longer tomorrow’s problem. The continent is under attack by drones today, and the threat is not isolated in the east
Managed disorder: The hard road to a modest peace with Russia after Ukraine
When the fighting in Ukraine stops, America and Europe will likely end up facing Russia in a low-grade rivalry for years to come. Here is how to prevent that disordered rivalry from sliding into another war
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
Maximum pressure on Iran, round two
Mark Leonard welcomes Ellie Geranmayeh to discuss the latest phase of the US-Iran conflict, the escalating economic pressure campaign against Tehran and the risks of a prolonged war without a clear exit strategy
ECFR on air
Bonus episode: The EU enlargement game
In a special episode recorded live from Lisbon, Jessica Hendrick puts six EU candidate countries through an enlargement simulation to find out what happens when crisis, cash, disinformation and political pressure collide with the race to join the EU
Views from the Council
Orchestrators, not customers: A new role for European governments in defence
Weapons that took decades to develop can now be countered within months. European governments need to stop buying finished platforms and start running an innovation cycle, in which soldiers learn from one system and build these lessons into the next
A no to the EU, not to Europe: What Icelanders actually voted on
Icelanders voted no because of old, domestic reasons: fish, the currency and comfort with the status quo. The result was not a victory for the far-right—but the heated campaign is a warning sign for Icelandic political life
In the Media - Council
Karolina Wigura on the origin and impact of political ideas
Edwin Bendyk on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine Independence
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.
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Latest
Orchestrators, not customers: A new role for European governments in defence
Weapons that took decades to develop can now be countered within months. European governments need to stop buying finished platforms and start running an innovation cycle, in which soldiers learn from one system and build these lessons into the next
A no to the EU, not to Europe: What Icelanders actually voted on
Icelanders voted no because of old, domestic reasons: fish, the currency and comfort with the status quo. The result was not a victory for the far-right—but the heated campaign is a warning sign for Icelandic political life
After Tidö: What a centre-left Sweden would change for Europe
Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats is the favourite to become Sweden’s next prime minister, but only after months of hard coalition bargaining. Who she governs with would shape how far her foreign policy shifts
Talk is cheap: Europe’s defence promise meets the EU budget
At July’s NATO summit in Ankara, European leaders accepted that they must carry more of their own defence. Turning that promise into money means winning a fight over the EU’s next seven-year budget, against coalitions that have defended farm and cohesion spending for decades
In the bear’s paw: How Europeans can loosen Russia’s grip on Belarus
Russia’s growing military intervention in Belarus poses a frontline security challenge for Europe. The EU needs to develop a more pragmatic strategy based on protecting its eastern border and shaping Minsk’s autonomy away from Moscow
Cold comfort: What China can teach Europe about adaptation
Europe is learning to adapt to a hotter climate. It should take the same approach to economic dependencies: manage the consequences, but also change the conditions that created them
Teresa Coratella on hybrid warfare, Russian interference and European vulnerabilities ahead of the next electoral cycle
Angela Ziccardi on the visit of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani to Egypt
Alicja Bachulska on the phenomenon of ‘China-maxxing’, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and China–EU relations
Teresa Coratella on a possible alliance between Giorgia Meloni and Futuro Nazionale leader Roberto Vannacci
Teresa Coratella on hybrid warfare, Russian interference and European vulnerabilities ahead of the next electoral cycle
The policy alert Europe’s problem in Italy: How to resist the rise of Roberto Vannacci quoted by RaiNews.it
More on Africa
The ammonia age: How Europe and Africa can steer global shipping to net zero
The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework is critical for EU competitiveness and the clearest path to decarbonise shipping. African backing may prove decisive as American and Gulf pressure stalls progress
More on Asia
The art of the swarm: Systemic rivalry with China on European terms
The EU can exploit its system to say no to China—now, and long into the future
More on European Power
If Marine Le Pen wins: A European guide to a far-right France
A Le Pen-led France would mean major changes to European politics. Here’s how political leaders can begin to prepare
More on European Security
The magnificent ten: A coalition of the willing to drive the EU’s next enlargement
A Team Enlargement coalition of EU member states can drive the changes needed to bring Ukraine and others into the bloc
More on Middle East and North Africa
Iran nuclear monitor: Month by month
America and Israel have bombed Iran since 2025 to block Tehran’s path to nuclear weapons. ECFR’s interactive dashboard, updated monthly, assesses current evidence about Iran’s nuclear activities to determine which of six possible scenarios is most likely
More on United States
Sliding doors: One Trump crisis, two possible futures for Europe
The next Trump crisis will come. European governments facing American pressure will need to weigh the costs and benefits of their responses. Here are two scenarios to show what resistance costs, and why those costs are lower than they appear