Merz’s trip is less a bilateral tour than a signal setting moment: his words and stance will influence whether Europe pivots to a more assertive China strategy or lets Beijing lock in a costly status quo
Sanae Takaichi’s supermajority victory will speed up Japan’s assertive policies on defence and economic security. For Europe, this makes Japan a more predictable partner—but it also adds pressure to match Tokyo’s new pace
The new EU-India free trade agreement could become a template for 21st-century trade governance
Donald Trump has rolled out America’s stark new National Defense Strategy. Europeans need to be prepared to take control of their own defence future
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
President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the US from international organisations presents an opportunity to Europe to lead on global aid reform
Britain and France have committed to deploying their armies on the ground in Ukraine. This is one step towards providing the robust security guarantees the country needs to deter future Russian aggression
German opposition to the EU’s target to ban combustion engines by 2035 risks locking in emissions and ceding the EV market to China. The bloc needs to convince its member states that investment in electric is worthwhile
A failed coup in Benin is the latest in an increasingly volatile West Africa. To encourage stability, Europeans should support the region’s governments while doubling down on countering disinformation—but do so discretely
Bulgarians have turned out in their thousands to protest against the government. The EU needs to address the country’s democratic backsliding and avoid it becoming part of Viktor Orban’s camp