Out of its time: Germany’s ominous election campaign
To restore much-needed German impetus in Europe, the country’s next government must find a new sense of urgency and common purpose
Human Rights and Democracy
Freeze and thaw: USAID withdrawal and the future of Russia’s pro-European civil society
Donald Trump has frozen USAID. This is bad news for civil society organisations in the Russian democratic community, but Europe has the chance to step up its soft power influence in the eastern neighbourhood
Hope and turmoil: The EU’s role in securing Georgia’s democratic future
Since the Georgian Dream party suspended EU accession talks, Georgia’s population has made its feelings known. Now the EU should show solidarity by helping secure the country’s democratic future
Pressure points: How Europeans could help avert a Third Congo War
Congo stands on the brink of being at the centre of a devastating new regional war. Europe should act in its own self-interest to avert further humanitarian catastrophe
The price of pause: America’s aid halt will hit civil society in the Middle East hard
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
Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans
Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession
A double bind: How unrest and geopolitics could end Serbia’s government
Mass protests are destabilising Aleksandar Vucic’s rule and his “à la carte” foreign policy positioning. As Serbia’s president faces his toughest challenge yet, the EU should seize the moment to support democratic change and regional stability
Filling the void: Why the EU should step up amid Trump’s foreign aid cuts
The withdrawal of US foreign aid could exacerbate humanitarian crises and trigger political instability, jeopardising the EU’s own interests
Time is running out for the EU to help safeguard Georgia’s future
With Salome Zourabichvili set to be replaced in Saturday’s presidential elections, Georgian Dream will tighten its grip on power, leaving protestors with no institutional support
Trump’s return: A disaster for Gaza, a challenge for Europe
Pro-Israel hardliners dominate Trump’s new administration, leaving Palestinians with little hope for justice. European leaders can counterbalance this by supporting Palestinian self-determination and enforcing accountability