Spain versus Russia’s kleptocracy
Let policy not simply be driven by individual judges and magistrates, a case here and a country there – let it be something debated at a national and European Union level and adopted on a broader basis
EU instruments
Paying the price: The cost of Europe’s refugee crisis
Europe can more sustainably and cost-efficiently handle refugee arrivals by centralising management at a European level
The migration superpowers
As control over population flows becomes a currency of power, states that follow the M-7’s lead will have the opportunity to boost their geopolitical heft
Germany’s defence doublespeak
While Germany's role in security is of increasing importance, German politicians must downplay it for a domestic audience
20 Apr
Black Coffee Morning: Vor dem NATO-Gipfel in Warschau: Sicherheitspolitik in Osteuropa
NATO and its member states are preparing for the July summit in Warsaw in search for a joint response to the new security environment in Europe and its neighbourhood.
ECFR’s World in 30 Minutes: UN secretary-general candidacy
ECFR’s director Mark Leonard speaks with Somini Sengupta, UN correspondent for the New York Times, Richard Gowan, ECFR Senior Policy Fellow, and Manuel Lafont Rapnouil,…
13 Apr
Black Coffee Morning: “Bremain vs Brexit – Großbritannien vor dem Referendum”
Staying or leaving? A question, that is deciding the future for Greatbritain and the EU. Proeuropean parties as well as persons being pro-Brexit are trying to influence the mood in the population. Though, most voters are still undecided. Not even 10 percent of all Britains think that the EU would be an important political topic.Where are we currently standing and what can Europe or Germany do? What are the most likely scenarios? These and other questions were dicussed this morning at the ECFR Berlin.
12 Apr
Berlin Foreign Policy Club: EU-Türkei Beziehungen
Through the summit decision on 18 March 2016 Turkey became a totally different “strategic partner” of the EU than initially expected. Due to this now very close connection within the refugee crisis, Turkey becomes an important key player that is responsible for the stability and strategic position of the EU. The position of Turkish politics concerns Europe significantly more than it was the case before. Therefore we discussed this strategic position and the perspective of Turkey, as well as the consequences in foreign policy of the decision in Brussels within our Berlin Foreign Policy Club. Currently, Turkey is seen as a key state, acting as a gatekeeper for Europe in times of the refugee crisis. The general role of Turkey in the Arab Spring was always driven by economic interests, and this interest had dominated all other aspects of the Turkish view of the Arab Spring. This position is even more strenghtened by the new refugee deal between the EU and Turkey. Furthermore, the Kurdish issue was dicussed, as well as the deep mistrust between Turkey and Iran, based on historic narratives and religion, but also being shaped by economic rivalry now.
6 Apr
Black Coffee Morning: “Sanctions on North Korea – Transformation in the South Asian security”
After North Korea recently launched a nuclear weapons test, the veto-holding powers in the UN agreed upon stronger sanctions in a new resolution. What does this initiative from North Korea mean – especially for the current relations between the USA and China. Furthermore, the EU demanded from China to uphold universal human rights in its conflicts with its neighbouring countries in the Southasian sea, though it is highly questionable if Beijing is going to consider this suggestion. Are sanctions even a useful instrument for trying to establish strategic instruments in Eastasia? Can China be included in this strategy?
ECFR’s World in 30 Minutes: Sanctions
ECFR’s director Mark Leonard speaks with Clara Portela, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Singapore Management University, and Jeremy Shapiro, ECFR’s Research Director, about…