The proof of the European Council pudding will be in the eating
EU leaders need to show that they are not only capable of reaching an agreement between themselves, but also of shaping the post-coronavirus world
Cohesion & Governance
A Schuman plan for the eastern Mediterranean
The EU should look to its own history as it aims to secure its own interests and resolve tensions in the eastern Mediterranean
A country under the influence: Russian interference in British politics
The UK’s ostensible new “ethical foreign policy” stands up to little scrutiny – not least as the government’s preferred form of Brexit limits chances it will ever enact such a policy.
An election in Belarus: How the West could support a marginalised opposition
In the run-up to a difficult election for President Alexander Lukashenka, the three main opposition candidates have been excluded from the vote and there have been mass arrests. Western countries should try to deter further repression in Belarus without isolating the country.
China, Europe, and covid-19 headwinds
China’s attempts to divide Europeans during the crisis, along with its fierce and openly hostile rhetoric targeting the capacity of Western democracy to effectively respond to the health emergency, have served as a wake-up call
Germany’s belated debate on colonialism
Initiatives designed to change German attitudes towards colonial history will be important in improving Germany’s relations with African countries
Poland under Duda: A divided country, dividing Europe
The Law and Justice party has consolidated its power inside Poland by retaining the presidency – but battles with Brussels and a victory for Biden could cause it trouble
Putting China in its place: Britain prepares to sack Huawei
Whatever good reasons the British government may have to reverse its position on Huawei, the key factor has been a rebellion on its backbenches and a mood of righteous indignation about the behaviour of Xi Jinping’s China
Instrumental solidarity: Hungary’s management of the coronavirus crisis
The Orbán government’s demonstrations of European solidarity have been partly motivated by its nationalist goals and its concerns about migration
The truth about European solidarity during corona
National impulses led to border closures and export restrictions on medical supplies during the corona crisis. But even in the earliest days of Europe’s exposure to the novel virus, pan-European solidarity was on display.