Promoting European strategic sovereignty in the southern neighbourhood
To achieve greater sovereignty, Europe needs to push back against rival powers, build leverage in armed conflicts, and be more effective in supporting reform
Middle East and North Africa
Talking to the Houthis: How Europeans can promote peace in Yemen
European states should now increase conditional engagement with the Houthis, looking to widen political and humanitarian space on the ground
Torn between two allies: How Europeans can reduce Iraqi dependence on Iran and the US
Europe should help the Kadhimi government undertake political and economic reform, increase its geopolitical autonomy, and take on a greater security role
A return to Africa: Why North African states are looking south
North African countries, each for their own reasons, are increasingly turning their attention towards sub-Saharan Africa
Reform from crisis: How Tunisia can use covid-19 as an opportunity
The government must build on its response to the pandemic to create a compromise that shares the burden of reform between political actors and interest groups
Reviving the revolutionaries: How Trump’s maximum pressure is shifting Iran’s domestic politics
Europeans wish to persuade Iran to compromise on strategic issues – but, unless they understand the dynamics of domestic Iranian politics, they will not get far
Bad company: How dark money threatens Sudan’s transition
The transition will only succeed if the government stabilises the economy and civilians work hard to tilt the balance of power away from the military
A new Gaza: Turkey’s border policy in northern Syria
EU member states can find ways to cooperate with Turkey to support stabilisation in parts of the safe zone, without violating their interests and core principle
Society max: How Europe can help Syrians survive Assad and coronavirus
European governments should pivot to a strategy focused on protecting those societal forces that are still standing and that can help salvage a better future
Digital stability: How technology can empower future generations in the Middle East
Europeans must help construct the region’s digital infrastructure, to prevent China from popularising its internet governance model there
In the media
The difficult decisions that will be needed to manage the situation in Tunisia may undermine Saied’s support, thinks Tarek Megerisi
The turmoil in Tunisia could also spread to neighbouring countries, warns Tarek Megerisi
Tarek Megerisi thinks that the EU’s response to the situation in Tunisia was met with immediate criticism for being too hollow