The sanctions straitjacket on Russia’s defence sector
Maintaining a self-sufficient defence-industrial complex has long been an uphill struggle for Russia – and recent sanctions have only steepened its climb
Commentary
Idlib chaos: The latest test for Turkish-Russian ties
Turkey and Syria are now at war – but the ultimate arbiter of what happens next is likely to be Vladimir Putin
Reformists are dispirited and hard-liners resurgent ahead of Iran’s election
Some elected officials in Tehran are concerned that the security forces are gaining too much control over the political decision-making process. But reformists have been stymied by missteps of their own, as well as by US policy
From negotiation to imposition: Trump’s Israel-Palestine parameters
Comparing the US “peace plan” for Israel-Palestine with ECFR’s own work on future parameters illuminates how Donald Trump is departing from longstanding international consensus positions
The search for freedom of action: Macron’s speech on nuclear deterrence
The French president reached out to the rest of Europe on Russia, the transatlantic relationship, and European solidarity.
Reboot time: Operation Sophia and Italy’s tortuous Libya policy
A new mandate for Operation Sophia could be just what the Italian government is looking for – but much will depend on what the lead players in Libya do next
Britain sets sail – into the dark
The odds that the UK and the EU will reach full, or even much, agreement within the breakneck timetable imposed by London do not look good
Insecurity in the Sahel: Europe’s next fight against jihadism
The G5 Sahel has an excessive focus on security issues, as this has come at the expense of the political and governance issues it must deal with to truly stabilise the region
Out of the slow lane: How Europe can meet the challenge of AI
EU member states need to turn their declarations of intent about international cooperation on technological sovereignty into real projects
Counterfeit change: Lebanon’s new government
Even if the new government intends to introduce significant reforms, the elite will more than likely block any measures that challenge entrenched interests