Observing Russia’s elections
Whatever the electoral outcome, Putin wins. But this time, the manner of the Russian strongman?s victory will undermine not only Russian democracy; but the credibility of Europe?s democracy-promotion
Articles
A month for hard power
There?s a real risk that, in the weeks between now and Christmas, the EU will face violence in either Kosovo, where 15,000 European troops underwrite security, or Lebanon where 8,000 Europeans have made up the backbone of the UN peace force
The EU meets China: united we stand?
The EU delegation has prepared an unusually full agenda for the annual EU-China Summit. However, there is a real danger they will go home empty-handed, and the Chinese will hijack the event to lecture about Taiwan and the Dalai Lama
Steps toward an EU-NATO link
The EU and NATO have a new opportunity to collaborate in ways that would help both organizations deal with fragile and failing states. But it will require practical steps to overcome ideological opposition to greater cooperation
Ukraine: Finally a new Parliament, but no new government
The new Ukrainian parliament finally assembled on Friday, 23 November, almost two months after the elections. It then immediately adjourned until Thursday 29 November. An update on Ukraine’s complex political developments
A cool response to Sarkozy’s EU agenda
Since it was first mooted in the summer, the Sarkozy proposal for a new round of arguments about the future of Europe has been met with growing consternation
Balkan ghosts still haunt Europe
Even though Europe’s foreign policy reach is now truly global, talks on Kosovo’s independence have seen Balkan ghosts return to haunt Europe
ECFR makes its pitch in Sofia
ECFR launched its Bulgarian office today with an international conference attended by leading academics and foreign policy thinkers
Two cheers for Gordon Brown’s speech
Gordon Brown has laid out his foreign policy vision, including on Europe. But he missed two key elements: a strong, positive case for enlargement and arguments for the Lisbon Treaty
German Foreign Minister addresses official launch event
In front of a 600-person audience, leading ECFR council members conducted a lively discussion on the future of a common EU foreign policy. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier gave a keynote address