Highlights
Featured
Preventing the next war: A European plan for Ukraine
Together with the Ukrainians, Europeans should begin—now—to draw up a “beyond the horizon” plan for Ukraine in readiness for a ceasefire or even a peace deal
Enough is enough: Europe needs to oppose Israel’s aggression
Israel has become the Middle East’s leading destabiliser, threatening key European interests. Europe must avoid making the same mistakes that led to the 2003 Iraq invasion, prioritise diplomacy and urge the US not to get entangled in a war with Iran
How to arm a pacifist: Lessons from Ukraine for the EU’s defence
EU leaders have to learn lessons from Ukraine if they want to be truly ready to take responsibility for Europe’s security
Europe must act now to prevent a major war between Israel and Iran
Israel’s unprecedented strikes across Iran have shattered nuclear diplomacy and paved the way for regional war. As America scrambles to respond, Europeans can help curb dangerous escalation
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
What to expect from the conflict between Israel and Iran
Mark Leonard welcomes Ellie Geranmayeh and Eran Etzion to unpack the latest developments in the conflict between Iran and Israel
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
Doves and hawks: Foreign policy in the second Trump age
Mark Leonard welcomes Dan Caldwell and Curt Mills to talk Trump’s foreign policy—and the key influences shaping it
Views from the Council
Reasons to be optimistic: European strengths in the global financial landscape
Investors are demonstrating confidence in the European approach embodied in flagship initiatives from the EU
Untying the Hungarian knot: Why the EU might stop spoiling the spoiler state
Orban’s latest defiance of EU values—the banning of Pride—comes as Hungary’s economy flails, the opposition gains, and Washington will no longer oppose. It could be the push the EU needs to figure out how to work around Budapest
In the Media - Council
Carl Bildt on Ukraine imposed sanctions on former president and opposition politician Petro Poroshenko
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
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
Expansion in the shadows: The dangers of Israeli aggression in the West Bank
As Europeans focus on Israel’s intensifying conflict with Iran, the country is continuing its expansionist project in the West Bank, jeopardising any remaining chance for a two-state solution
Disinformation for beginners: How access to TikTok is threatening European security
TikTok is helping facilitate the spread of disinformation and enhancing cyber security threats throughout Europe. The EU should implement a four-step strategy to mitigate any nefarious impacts of the social media platform on its democratic process and security
Green business partners: Why Europe should invest in climate-led companies in Africa
European investment in Africa should focus on climate-smart business. This will develop the continent’s resilient infrastructure, secure job creation and support sustainable food systems—while strengthening Europe’s hand amid geopolitical turbulence
Rise to the challengers: Europe’s populist parties and its foreign policy future
An array of populist parties are challenging Europe’s foreign policy mainstream. To secure European sovereignty, its politicians need to adapt—which means preparing for a variety of future diplomatic scenarios
Litmus test: How to tell whether the Trump administration is serious about peace in Ukraine
European allies should urge the US government to use its unexploited sources of leverage over Russia—and learn from whether it does
LA falling: What Trump’s anti-immigration push means for transatlantic democracy
Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard after mass protests against his immigration policy in LA. Europeans should be wary of his drift towards authoritarianism—and to not get caught up in the furore
Maddalena Procopio and Corrado Čok on multi-level cooperation between Italy, the Gulf and Africa
Emily Tasinato on the role of Gulf countries in the light of the war between Israel and Iran
Ellie Geranmayeh on the effect of Israeli strikes on Iran’s autocractic regime
More on Africa
Long walk to realism: Climate cooperation to reset EU-South Africa relations
The EU and South Africa should accept political differences and pursue a pragmatic partnership, mutually strengthening economic and climate ties—using South Africa’s energy transition as the decisive test of this balance
More on Asia
Electric shock: The Chinese threat to Europe’s industrial heartland
The industrial heartland of Germany and central Europe is at risk from the second “China shock”. Here is how decision-makers can save industry and avert social and political strife
More on European Power
Rise to the challengers: Europe’s populist parties and its foreign policy future
An array of populist parties are challenging Europe’s foreign policy mainstream. To secure European sovereignty, its politicians need to adapt—which means preparing for a variety of future diplomatic scenarios
More on Middle East and North Africa
Anatomy of a chokepoint: Mapping power and conflict in the Red Sea
This ECFR project maps the Red Sea region as a nexus of conflict, regional rivalries and global power plays. To address the risks of this instability, Europeans need to develop a more comprehensive approach
More on United States
MAGA goes global: Trump’s plan for Europe
Form exists in the frenzy of Donald Trump’s first months back in power. His foreign policy is his domestic agenda exported—and that is bad news for Europe
More on Wider Europe
The bear beneath the ice: Russia’s ambitions in the Arctic
Russia is rapidly developing—and militarising—its Arctic territory as a strategic priority, even amid its war on Ukraine. Add Trump’s coveting of Greenland to the mix, and the next confrontation in Europe could be in its High North