Scything cuts to US foreign aid will drain an already shallow pool of funding for embattled human rights defenders and independent media. That should worry Europeans, whose own budget cuts are part of the problem
Donald Trump’s second presidential administration is imminent. The European Union should prioritise international collaboration to challenge America’s likely hardline approach to human rights
Western politicians are increasingly framing migration as a threat to national security and social cohesion. In doing so, they risk undermining the democratic norms they claim to defend
Bulgaria celebrated its entry into the euro zone this month, but inside the country, opposition figures are being arrested and its judiciary is crumbling. This democratic backsliding risks undermining the EU from within
Global commitment to development assistance is far from where it was a decade ago. Off the back of the International Conference on Financing for Development, European policymakers should look towards adapting their approach to this new reality
As Europeans focus on Israel’s intensifying conflict with Iran, the country is continuing its expansionist project in the West Bank, jeopardising any remaining chance for a two-state solution
Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard after mass protests against his immigration policy in LA. Europeans should be wary of his drift towards authoritarianism—and to not get caught up in the furore
The EU’s external image depends more on history than public relations. To improve it, European leaders need to make sure the history of the future reflects their values
If the Law and Justice candidate wins Poland’s presidential election, Donald Tusk’s efforts to make Poland a key player within the EU could be under threat. Transatlantic and Ukraine policy, however, will likely remain bipartisan
As Georgia teeters on the brink of authoritarianism, Europe’s fractured resolve risks ceding the south Caucasus to Russian and Chinese influence. A coalition of France, Germany and Poland, together with Britain, could salvage its democracy and stability
Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs while carefully nurturing the seeds of a more democratic Turkey for the future
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have soured since the war in Tigray ended in 2022. The region is now a tinderbox for conflict: Europeans need to intervene and pull the various opposing factions back from the brink
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 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
European credibility to uphold human rights in the Middle East has faded, but the EU can still have an impact by backing social and economic rights, empowering people through reform
Italy and the EU must work more closely together in the “Wider Mediterranean” on energy, migration and security. Here’s how they can do it
Form exists in the frenzy of Donald Trump’s first months back in power. His foreign policy is his domestic agenda exported—and that is bad news for Europe
Al-Shabab is regaining strength in Somalia amid obstacles with the latest peacekeeping mission—just as external partners seek to move away from costly interventions. But there is a path forward
Brazil and Europe share many similarities: both seek autonomy amid escalating US-China tensions – while championing multilateralism and navigating democratic pressures for a values-based foreign policy. However, their potential for collaboration remains largely untapped
European countries are rethinking their policies on multilateral development. In the face of intersecting crises, they should embrace a new, far-sighted vision for development cooperation
The next French president should pursue a strong European foreign policy agenda to protect Europeans against the threats they are most concerned about
Support for membership of the European Union is currently high, but so too is pessimism about the future of the European project
Western politicians are increasingly framing migration as a threat to national security and social cohesion. In doing so, they risk undermining the democratic norms they claim to defend
Bulgaria celebrated its entry into the euro zone this month, but inside the country, opposition figures are being arrested and its judiciary is crumbling. This democratic backsliding risks undermining the EU from within
Global commitment to development assistance is far from where it was a decade ago. Off the back of the International Conference on Financing for Development, European policymakers should look towards adapting their approach to this new reality
As Europeans focus on Israel’s intensifying conflict with Iran, the country is continuing its expansionist project in the West Bank, jeopardising any remaining chance for a two-state solution
Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard after mass protests against his immigration policy in LA. Europeans should be wary of his drift towards authoritarianism—and to not get caught up in the furore
The EU’s external image depends more on history than public relations. To improve it, European leaders need to make sure the history of the future reflects their values
If the Law and Justice candidate wins Poland’s presidential election, Donald Tusk’s efforts to make Poland a key player within the EU could be under threat. Transatlantic and Ukraine policy, however, will likely remain bipartisan
As Georgia teeters on the brink of authoritarianism, Europe’s fractured resolve risks ceding the south Caucasus to Russian and Chinese influence. A coalition of France, Germany and Poland, together with Britain, could salvage its democracy and stability
Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs while carefully nurturing the seeds of a more democratic Turkey for the future
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have soured since the war in Tigray ended in 2022. The region is now a tinderbox for conflict: Europeans need to intervene and pull the various opposing factions back from the brink
European states face accusations of neglecting the matter of human rights in their southern neighbourhood, and even of being complicit. Yet they are failing to maximise the influence they could bring to bear
Summary With anti-Europeans on their way to winning more than one-third of seats in the next European Parliament, the stakes in the May 2019 election…
As global upheaval puts pressure on liberal democracies, Mark Leonard and David Runciman explore whether democracy is really in decline—or simply being forced to adapt to today’s world
Mark Leonard and Yoram Hazony discuss the rise of national conservatism and its challenge to the liberal order
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…
In Searching for Deutschland’s last pre-election episode, hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin review the Munich Security Conference, the US-Russia talks on Ukraine, and what the new era…
This week, hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin discuss German election campaign frontrunner Friedrich Merz’s bid to win Bundestag votes on migration with support from…
Mark Leonard welcomes José Ignacio Torreblanca and Pawel Zerka to discuss Brazil’s role in a changing world order
Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin to discuss the results of the French election
In this new episode, Vessela Tcherneva welcomes head of ECFR offices to discuss national implications of the EU elections
Mark Leonard welcomes Anthony Dworkin to discuss the role of international law and justice in an increasingly fragmented world
Mark Leonard welcomes David Miliband to discuss this year’s most pressing crises
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…
Days before a high-stakes NATO summit, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) hosts to a timely webinar on European public attitudes towards Europe’s defence, the first turbulent months of President Trump’s new term, and the capacity of Europe to respond to a changing transatlantic reality. This webinar will launch our brand-new public opinion report,…
The final round of the Polish presidential election of 1 June 2025 is a milestone for Poland and for Europe. The close race between pro-European Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, and Karol Nawrocki, backed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, crystallizes two of the biggest challenges facing the European Union (EU) at the…
Germany’s election results are in—now what? Join the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) for a timely post-election analysis in the early morning after results are in. What does the outcome mean for Germany’s role on the European and global stage? Will the new government take a leadership role in shaping Europe’s foreign policy, or will…
This international conference discusses the main aspects of disinformation as a global challenge. It has been organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome in cooperation with the Embassy of Estonia in Rome; the Embassy of Republic of Latvia in Rome; the Embassy of Republic of Lithuania in Rome; the Embassy of…
Si tratta del quinto appuntamento di una serie di working lunch realizzati congiuntamente da ECFR Roma, SDA Bocconi e l’Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University
A decade of military, humanitarian, and developmental European interventions in the Sahelian states of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have failed comprehensively. Yet, European governments must accept that engagement, however ugly, is their only hope of advancing their strategic priority of a stable Sahel region. In this event, ECFR Africa reflects on recent developments and…
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 Europe. At a time when the continent must project unity and strength in the face of Russian aggression, what will the election mean for France’s foreign policy and Europe more…
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 offices across European capitals, the discussion will explore election outcomes in key EU member states – Bulgaria, France, Germany and Italy – and examine how the political reconfigurations in Brussels,…
The Russian large-scale invasion of Ukraine has opened many European pandora boxes. Among them, energy and economic dependence from Russia; EU’s reaction time to Putin’s aggression; European disunity; the military and defense question; Europe’s fragility in the technological competition. Last, but not least, Europe’s exposure to external actors’ influence, with consequences on the information space and the “Open Internet” era, undermined like never before by disinformation
Arturo Varvelli on Giorgia Meloni’s speech at the UN General Assembly and the role of the United Nations
Kelly Petillo on Italy’s harsher stance towards Israel over humanitarian atrocities in Gaza
