The arrival of the Biden administration in Washington, and the perception of US disengagement from the region, offers an opportunity for Europeans to help de-escalate tensions between GCC states and Iran
Instead of its rigid focus on the Oslo peace process, the EU should craft a new peacemaking paradigm based on equality and deoccupation
To achieve greater sovereignty, Europe needs to push back against rival powers, build leverage in armed conflicts, and be more effective in supporting reform
European states should now increase conditional engagement with the Houthis, looking to widen political and humanitarian space on the ground
Europe should help the Kadhimi government undertake political and economic reform, increase its geopolitical autonomy, and take on a greater security role
North African countries, each for their own reasons, are increasingly turning their attention towards sub-Saharan Africa
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
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
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
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