Culture clash: Russia, Ukraine, and the fight for the European public
Russia’s war on Ukraine is a test of European values. The way European governments respond is critical for European sentiment, unity, and solidarity with Ukraine
European Power
Featured
Keeping the lights on: The EU’s energy relationships since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The EU’s ‘friends in need’ have supported it through the energy crisis. The bloc must now balance buying more gas with helping supplier states develop clean energy
The morning after: Lessons from Poland for a post-Orban Hungary
Hungarians have a new leader who promises to heal the country after 16 years of democratic backsliding. Lessons from the Polish experience suggest this is easier said than done
Amid the mayhem: Three steps for the EU and Turkey to protect their interests
European and Turkish policymakers should take three steps immediately to deliver on their shared interests. This approach could help stabilise their relationship and lay the groundwork for broader engagement
Why Orban and Hungary are not one and the same
ECFR’s new public opinion polling reveals most Hungarians do not share Orban’s views on Hungary’s place in the world. If the opposition wins the election on April 12th, the new government will have a mandate to reorientate the country’s foreign policy towards Europe
The Trump trap: Why Meloni’s referendum defeat is a warning for Europe
The Italian prime minister’s referendum defeat could reveal the price of allying with a US administration that goes against European interests
Why China, not Russia, could be the real winner of the Iran war
Russia’s oil bonanza will hardly bridge its huge fiscal gap. China’s current pains are real, but its gains could last
Love Actually? Washington’s current relationship with Britain is more like Contempt Actually
If the UK wants to regain serious respect in the world, it needs its European leg as well as its transatlantic one
Gimme fuel, hold the fire: How Europe can safeguard its energy security against Gulf shocks
The US-Iran war has sent oil prices soaring, testing the EU’s energy resilience despite its light reliance on the Middle East. To manage the impact, EU policymakers should secure shipping lanes, tap strategic reserves and redouble efforts to escape Moscow’s grip
Trump vs Sanchez: Why Europeans should back Spain against US threats
The US has threatened Spain with a trade embargo for refusing it access to Spanish military bases. European leaders should use this moment to show they are capable of not bowing to Washington when it is against their interests
Beijing’s next bet: Why Europeans should care about biosolutions
Biosolutions help boost defence, resilience and competitiveness—and Europeans are leading the way. But they need to double down quickly to avoid yet another area of Chinese industrial dominance
MAGA’s approach to Europe hasn’t changed
Although the speech that Marco Rubio delivered to the Munich Security Conference was softer in tone than vice-president J.D. Vance’s in 2025, the Europe he celebrated was that of the ethno-nationalist far right. Europe is on its own, and it must start acting like it
Publications
Fast energy: How Europe can power the AI revolution and stay competitive
Europeans must urgently implement a “fast energy” programme to speed up access to energy to power AI—and remain competitive in the world
Beijing hold’em: European cards against Chinese coercion
Europe has a China problem and pretending otherwise is making it worse. Chinese cheap exports and a monopoly on rare earths are not just economic irritants, but leverage wielded deliberately. Europeans can no longer just de-risk. They need a deterrence strategy with teeth
From shield to sword: Europe’s offensive strategy for the hybrid age
Europe’s defensive measures to shield its democracies from hybrid attacks are no longer enough. If Europeans want to protect their peace and prosperity, the time has come for them to fight back
The electric endgame: Europe’s clean path out of vassalage
The geoeconomic power of the future will be shaped by climate policy. Countries that play the right moves in regulation, clean-tech production and climate finance today will win in the electrified world of tomorrow
After the rupture: Middle powers and the construction of new order
As American leadership wanes, middle powers are stitching a patchwork order through new approaches to conflict mediation, connectivity and development. Although these formats are fragmented and opportunistic, Europe should engage with them pragmatically
The European archipelago: Building bridges in a post-Western Europe
In the second Trump era, Europe urgently needs to secure its autonomy. Leaders must therefore link together different islands of European public opinion to establish strong majorities for action
The new right: Anatomy of a global political revolution
The thinkers and ideas of the rising nationalist right merit the political mainstream’s attention. Only by understanding them can it build a resilient counter-project
How Trump is making China great again—and what it means for Europe
A post-Western world is learning to love China, while Europeans are starting to fear America
The green great game: Crafting an EU-Central Asia energy alliance
With the difficult post-Soviet years behind it, Central Asia is becoming more integrated and actively seeking partnerships beyond Russia and China
Get over your X: A European plan to escape American technology
Foreign technology companies cannot be entrusted with meeting Europe’s growing digital needs. This includes American big tech firms. Here’s what Europeans should do
Articles
The morning after: Lessons from Poland for a post-Orban Hungary
Hungarians have a new leader who promises to heal the country after 16 years of democratic backsliding. Lessons from the Polish experience suggest this is easier said than done
Amid the mayhem: Three steps for the EU and Turkey to protect their interests
European and Turkish policymakers should take three steps immediately to deliver on their shared interests. This approach could help stabilise their relationship and lay the groundwork for broader engagement
Why Orban and Hungary are not one and the same
ECFR’s new public opinion polling reveals most Hungarians do not share Orban’s views on Hungary’s place in the world. If the opposition wins the election on April 12th, the new government will have a mandate to reorientate the country’s foreign policy towards Europe
The Trump trap: Why Meloni’s referendum defeat is a warning for Europe
The Italian prime minister’s referendum defeat could reveal the price of allying with a US administration that goes against European interests
Why China, not Russia, could be the real winner of the Iran war
Russia’s oil bonanza will hardly bridge its huge fiscal gap. China’s current pains are real, but its gains could last
Love Actually? Washington’s current relationship with Britain is more like Contempt Actually
If the UK wants to regain serious respect in the world, it needs its European leg as well as its transatlantic one
Gimme fuel, hold the fire: How Europe can safeguard its energy security against Gulf shocks
The US-Iran war has sent oil prices soaring, testing the EU’s energy resilience despite its light reliance on the Middle East. To manage the impact, EU policymakers should secure shipping lanes, tap strategic reserves and redouble efforts to escape Moscow’s grip
Trump vs Sanchez: Why Europeans should back Spain against US threats
The US has threatened Spain with a trade embargo for refusing it access to Spanish military bases. European leaders should use this moment to show they are capable of not bowing to Washington when it is against their interests
Beijing’s next bet: Why Europeans should care about biosolutions
Biosolutions help boost defence, resilience and competitiveness—and Europeans are leading the way. But they need to double down quickly to avoid yet another area of Chinese industrial dominance
MAGA’s approach to Europe hasn’t changed
Although the speech that Marco Rubio delivered to the Munich Security Conference was softer in tone than vice-president J.D. Vance’s in 2025, the Europe he celebrated was that of the ethno-nationalist far right. Europe is on its own, and it must start acting like it
Specials
Energy Sovereignty Index: Gains, gaps, and the road ahead
ECFR’s 2024 Energy Sovereignty Index shows both progress and persistent pitfalls on the EU’s path to energy independence, efficiency, and cleanness. While gains in renewable energy and efficiency are notable, the bloc’s heavy reliance on energy imports is a critical vulnerability
Multilateral Matchmaker
Multilateral coalitions are increasingly important for combatting global challenges. Europeans have many eligible – and untapped – potential partner countries, but to stand out they need to ensure their offer is as grounded in these partners’ interests as their own
Energy Sovereignty Index
ECFR presents an innovative new way to assess the energy sovereignty of EU member states in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
EU Energy Deals Tracker
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
European Sovereignty Index
The EU can overcome the new challenges it faces and can shape the global order. To achieve this, Europeans will need to improve their joint capacity to act
The European Sentiment Compass 2022
In the wake of pandemic and war, the Sentiment Compass assesses the changing expectations of the EU across its member states. It finds that EU should harness the power of culture and the free media to nurture a stronger European sentiment – helping it to address the major challenges facing the continent
The Power Atlas
Power is now defined by control over flows of people, goods, money, and data, and via the connections they establish. Only states that see the new map of geopolitical power clearly will be able to control the modern world
EU Cohesion Monitor
European cohesion is bouncing back after crisis years. The EU Cohesion Monitor presents new insights on cohesion as an underestimated source of strength and collective action in the EU
EU Coalition Explorer
The Coalition Explorer illustrates the expert opinions of more than 800 respondents who work on European policy and creates a visual understanding of the views held by Europe’s professional political class
European Solidarity Tracker
The European Solidarity Tracker collects and displays instances of pan-European solidarity throughout the coronavirus crisis
Podcasts
What the Iran war means for Europe’s energy
Mark Leonard is joined by Szymon Kardaś to discuss how the war in Iran is affecting energy prices and supplies in Europe
Europe, Trump and the war in Iran
Mark Leonard welcomes Piotr Buras, Carla Hobbs, Camille Lons, Jana Puglierin and Arturo Varvelli to discuss how Europe is responding to the war in Iran
Bretton Woods institutions in a new world order
Mark Leonard welcomes Mark Malloch-Brown to talk about the future of the Bretton Woods institutions
Live from MSC 2026: Transatlantic turning point
Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Cliffe, Ulrike Franke, Janka Oertel and Majda Ruge live from the Munich Security Conference to unpack its biggest moments
Indignity with Lea Ypi
Mark Leonard welcomes Lea Ypi to discuss her latest book on indignity—and how lessons from the past can help the left counter the new right
Live from Davos with Alexander Stubb
In this episode, Mark Leonard sits down with Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, in Davos for a conversation about Donald Trump’s view of Ukraine, Greenland, the world and Europe’s place in it. They explore the clash between advocates of…
The world in 2026
Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, Jana Kobzová, Andrew Small and Alex Vines to discuss upcoming political changes in 2026
Trump’s new National Security Strategy
Mark Leonard welcomes Gladden Pappin and Majda Ruge to explore what America’s new National Security Strategy means for Europe
ECFR at 18: Has European foreign policy come of age?
Mark Leonard brings together Carl Bildt, Lykke Friis, and Norbert Röttgen to to unpack how Europe has changed since 2007, when ECFR was founded, and what challenges lie ahead
The politics of migration and integration
Mark Leonard welcomes Sunder Katwala and Lawen Redar to explore how Sweden and Britain are redefining their national identities amid mass migration
Events
21
Apr
RSVP
European Power
From rupture to re-ordering: Middle powers and Europe’s choices
The international system is no longer held together by a single dominant vision of order. While the US is retreating from its dominant role, China and Russia are advancing competing models of order. In this context, middle powers are actively pursuing new strategies to secure their autonomy and expand their influence. They are challenging established hierarchies, reshaping economic and connectivity networks, and building alternative forms of cooperation that do…
14
Apr
RSVP
European Power
Europe’s climate crossroads: Power, competitiveness and the new global order
A growing transatlantic narrative claims that climate action is a gift to China and pressure is mounting on European policymakers to delay and water down the continent’s energy transition to safeguard its competitiveness. Yet such a dilemma between fighting climate change and remaining competitive is largely fallacious: the energy transition is already reshaping the global balance of power…
European Power
ECFR elections insight: Why Hungary’s vote matters for Europe
Hungary goes to the polls on 12 April—and this one really matters. Not just for Budapest, but for the whole of Europe. Because what’s at stake here isn’t simply who governs one EU member state, but something bigger: how and whether the EU can function effectively with a spoiler state – that often acts as a backdoor to rival…
European Power
Beijing hold’em 2.0: European cards against Chinese coercion
The escalation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz underscores a defining feature of today’s global order: volatility, fragmentation, and great power competition. Europe is entering a world of hard leverage—where fossil fuel dependence translates into strategic vulnerability. At the same time, as confidence in the United States becomes fragile, China is…
8
Apr
Briefing online ECFR su priorità G7. Politiche di innovazione, sicurezza economica, diplomazia economica ed intelligenza artificiale
Quest’anno lo European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) e l’Institute of Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) co-presiedono il Think7 (T7), il gruppo di consultazione ufficiale del G7 per i think tank e i centri di ricerca a livello mondiale, con l’obiettivo di elaborare nuove proposte politiche per i paesi del G7. In questo contesto, ECFR ha preparato 4 solution paper su…
30
Mar
European Power
Il Circolo dell’ECFR – ARCHIPELAGO EUROPE: The European public opinion on defense and post-Western disorder
Il focus di questa edizione de Il Circolo dell’ECFR è l‘opinione pubblica europea di fronte al disordine post-occidentale. La discussione è partita dal policy brief “The European archipelago: Building bridges in a post-Western Europe”, a firma di Pawel Zerka e Célia Belin, rispettivamente Senior Policy Fellow di ECFR e Direttrice dell’ufficio di Parigi e Senior…
European Power
Warsaw European Conversation 2026
Polityka Insight and ECFR Warsaw invite you to join us for the livestream of this year’s Warsaw European Conversation. When Europe was planning its 2021–2027 budget back in 2019, hardly anyone had heard of COVID-19, few could have imagined a full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, and Donald Trump was defending himself against impeachment while…
26
Mar
23
Mar
European Power
The New Right: Anatomy of a Global Revolution
As European and German politics are being reshaped by electoral volatility, fragmented party systems, and the continued rise of populist forces, we are delighted to invite you to a public debate on “The New Right: Anatomy of a Global Revolution.” In the aftermath of the important regional elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, the debate…
25
Feb
European Power
Tech Summit, 5th Edition: Europe and the Tech Oligarchs, Reclaiming Democracy and Sovereignty in the Digital Age
This year, the initiative focused on Europe’s response to the challenges posed by the now well-established rise of a new class of tech oligarchs, increasingly capable of influencing the political and institutional dynamics of our democracies. Against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the growing interdependence between political and corporate…
In the media
Jeremy Shapiro and Zsusanna Végh’s policy brief The Orbanisation of America: Hungary’s lessons for Donald Trump, mentioned by “Il Corriere della Sera”
ECFR poll on Hungarians’ opinion on Ukraine
ECFR poll on Hungarians’ opinion on the EU
ECFR experts unpack the results of Hungarian election