With an unpredictable US and a defiant China, the EU and Japan must deepen their alignment—fast. Strategic cooperation in defence, economic security and diplomacy is no longer optional; it’s essential to shaping, not just surviving, the new global order
South Koreans and Europeans agree that Russia is a threat, Ukraine needs support and that the new US administration is trouble. As Trump shakes the global security order, their shared concerns could solidify a stronger EU-South Korea partnership
While Donald Trump’s second administration turns its back on climate action, Europeans can gain a competitive advantage through funding and developing low-carbon technologies. This requires targeted income, specific skills and clear guidelines
Friedrich Merz is likely to be the next chancellor of Germany. But the CDU leader will usher in a generational shift, moving the country away from its Europe-first approach and towards new intergovernmental alliances
As the US election nears, EU member states must unite to navigate shifting American priorities, safeguarding their interests for a stable and mature transatlantic relationship
As the European Union pushes for peace in the Western Balkans, it should focus on moving the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue beyond its current impasse to establish long-lasting regional stability and deter Russian influence
By relying extensively on France and the US for its security and defence, Germany could easily find itself isolated and at risk. Berlin needs to act fast
Underlying all the problems that Europe faces in a new age of geopolitical, economic, and climate insecurity is a crisis in leadership. Judging by his recent speech at the Sorbonne, French president Emmanuel Macron could be the politician to supply it, but only if he abandons his standard political playbook
The EU’s plans to upgrade the Middle Corridor trade route may boost Russian and Chinese connectivity with central Asia. But for Europeans, the long-term economic and strategic benefits of going ahead with the development far outweigh these risks
Technology is at the heart of today’s great power struggle. To stand its ground, the EU should not only de-risk its trade ties, but advance its technological edge to build geo-economic leverage
The digital space is a key battleground in today’s global power struggles. For the EU to become a global player in the geopolitics of technology, it needs an ambitious external digital strategy – one that allows it to secure its interests, values, and standing in a world of intensifying geo-technological competition
Paradoxically, to fulfil many Europeans’ expectations, Berlin will need to revise the principles of Merkelism that created this trust
To engage more confidently with a world that is changing, outward-looking Germans need to shape a progressive new national identity before it is defined by the forces of isolation and exclusion
The covid-19 pandemic has brought forward a new agenda for multilateralism, focused on areas including global health, economic recovery, climate, technology, and trade
The EU cannot continue to rely on its regulatory power but must become a tech superpower in its own right. Referees do not win the game
The EU Coalition Explorer survey reveals the importance of Germany and France within the EU, and the impact they can have when they cooperate with each other
Failing to coordinate properly in the AI area could threaten future European defence cooperation, including PESCO and the European Defence
Spain, and Europe, need a new story about migration – it remains to be seen how the country will put this into practice
Introduction The last five years have not been kind to the European Union’s foreign policy. The EU has been less relevant, less active, and less…
If Europe does not address these difficult questions soon it will find itself surrounded by more powerful rivals deploying AI against it
With an unpredictable US and a defiant China, the EU and Japan must deepen their alignment—fast. Strategic cooperation in defence, economic security and diplomacy is no longer optional; it’s essential to shaping, not just surviving, the new global order
South Koreans and Europeans agree that Russia is a threat, Ukraine needs support and that the new US administration is trouble. As Trump shakes the global security order, their shared concerns could solidify a stronger EU-South Korea partnership
While Donald Trump’s second administration turns its back on climate action, Europeans can gain a competitive advantage through funding and developing low-carbon technologies. This requires targeted income, specific skills and clear guidelines
Friedrich Merz is likely to be the next chancellor of Germany. But the CDU leader will usher in a generational shift, moving the country away from its Europe-first approach and towards new intergovernmental alliances
As the US election nears, EU member states must unite to navigate shifting American priorities, safeguarding their interests for a stable and mature transatlantic relationship
As the European Union pushes for peace in the Western Balkans, it should focus on moving the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue beyond its current impasse to establish long-lasting regional stability and deter Russian influence
By relying extensively on France and the US for its security and defence, Germany could easily find itself isolated and at risk. Berlin needs to act fast
Underlying all the problems that Europe faces in a new age of geopolitical, economic, and climate insecurity is a crisis in leadership. Judging by his recent speech at the Sorbonne, French president Emmanuel Macron could be the politician to supply it, but only if he abandons his standard political playbook
The EU’s plans to upgrade the Middle Corridor trade route may boost Russian and Chinese connectivity with central Asia. But for Europeans, the long-term economic and strategic benefits of going ahead with the development far outweigh these risks
Technology is at the heart of today’s great power struggle. To stand its ground, the EU should not only de-risk its trade ties, but advance its technological edge to build geo-economic leverage
The energy deals the EU and its member states are now making with third countries will shape Europeans’ ability to protect their energy security in the long term. The EU Energy Deals Tracker provides a comprehensive overview of these agreements, including their implications for the sustainable transition
To fulfil its true potential, the EU needs to end its strategic cacophony and focus on capability building
A critical mass of countries agree on the need for more flexible cooperation, but what could it look like?
European leaders are underestimating the danger that Trump presents to the transatlantic alliance and assuming too much continuity in the event of a Clinton presidency
On the morning after Germany’s election, Searching for Deutschland hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin were joined for a live webinar by ECFR colleagues Timo Lochocki and…
Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin to discuss ECFR’s new podcast mini-series, Searching for Deutschland
In this new episode, Vessela Tcherneva welcomes head of ECFR offices to discuss national implications of the EU elections
At the Munich Security Conference, Mark Leonard welcomes Arancha González Laya, Camille Grand and Jana Puglierin to understand how Europeans can prepare for a second Trump presidency
Mark Leonard is joined by Christoph Heusgen to talk about Germany’s foreign policy
Mark Leonard reports live from the Munich Security Conference
Mark Leonard, Camille Grand, Gustav Gressel, Jana Puglierin, and Jeremy Shapiro discuss what the Leopard 2 decision means for the war in Ukraine
We turned 15! Time to reflect on the past years and ECFR’s role in helping Europe find a strong, united voice
Mark Leonard discusses with Anna Sauerbrey her book “Machtwechsel” and the new generation of German politicians
Ian Bremmer joins the podcast to discuss the concept of a “goldilocks” crisis, the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, and Europe’s role in global upheavals
The 2025 Tech Summit will explore the upcoming challenges and the necessary actions for the EU to bolster its technological sovereignty while enhancing its competitive…
Questa edizione de Il Circolo dell’ECFR sarà focalizzata sulla risposta dell’Europa alla seconda presidenza Trump. Le tensioni tra gli Stati Uniti di Donald Trump e…
The internet has upended the world order. The exercise of power and governance in the digital sphere has become a major source of geopolitical contestation
As global power dynamics shift amid intensifying US-China rivalry, the rise of assertive middle powers, and increased scepticism toward the international rules-based order, Europe finds…
In an increasingly tech-driven world, Europe wants to impose its voice among the global leaders in the field. To secure a technological influence, much work…
As leaders are about to take pivotal decisions for Ukraine’s fate at the NATO summit, join us for a discussion about pathways and policy options for…
As France discovers the new making of its national assembly, this webinar will analyse the election results and reflect on their impact on a geopolitical…
As the European Union sets its new agenda, this webinar will delve into geoeconomics-related priorities for the incoming European Commission. Drawing on two new ECFR…
La discussione “Corridoio India-Medio Oriente-Europa: tra sfide attuali e potenziale strategico”, organizzata dall’ufficio di Roma dello European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) ed ELEC – European League for Economic Cooperation, avrà luogo, in forma virtuale, mercoledì 12 giugno 2024 dalle ore 16:30 alle ore 18:00 sulla piattaforma Zoom
This webinar will provide a snapshot analysis of election results and their implications for Europe’s foreign policy and security agenda. Featuring perspectives from selected ECFR…
The truth is that the American market will become even more complex for European players. Therefore, securing alternatives and multiple options will facilitate European trade
Mats Engström on several aspects of financing, including infrastructure, decarbonisation of industry and international partnerships
The president of the Commission was projected to centralize her power. By entrusting Kallas with the post, but taking away certain competencies, she chose a “divide et impera” rule
Washington has no desire to build a bridge with the European Union—and no one in Europe asked Meloni to play that role
Teresa Coratella on Giorgia Meloni’s attempt to hold the West together with Trump’s return
