Multilateral nuclear disorder: Let’s rock till we explode
The global nuclear order has so far proven resilient in the face of Russia’s war on Ukraine. European engagement through the EU and NATO can help shore up this uneasy equilibrium
Multilateralism
We’ll always have Paris: How to adapt multilateral climate cooperation to new realities
Geopolitical tensions are hindering progress in multilateral climate cooperation. The EU should continue to supplement negotiations under the UN climate convention with smaller initiatives that bring together like-minded, ambitious partners.
Ambitions and access: The new economic framework for the Indo-Pacific
The new US-led economic framework for the Indo-Pacific may have limited power to manage China’s ascendence. But the EU has good reasons to pay attention to the discussions around it.
22 Mar
La Hora de la Sociedad Civil: Un Diálogo Transatlántico sobre Venezuela
Este debate fue una iniciativa del Foro Cívico, de la Oficina en Washington para Asuntos Latinoamericanos (WOLA), el Open Society Foundations (OSF) y el European…
Three key areas of Europe’s climate diplomacy
The EU’s efforts to address climate change should place more emphasis on bilateral alliances and partnerships. But these efforts will only be credible if they are firmly rooted in domestic policies.
Italy’s next bid for victory: The EU and green geopolitics
Italy should use its G20 presidency and COP26 co-presidency to help the EU become a major player in green geopolitics and a mediator between competing great powers
Olympic overreach: Foreign policy lessons for cleaning up international sport
Like all international organisations, major sporting bodies depend on their member states’ support – and willingness to still be in the club
5 Jul
Between strategic autonomy and multilateralism: a more resilient future for the EU
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and ECFR Rome Office aim at fostering a debate on strategic autonomy and how it intertwines with the promotion of multilateralism
29 Mar
Multilateralism after the pandemic: cooperation in a competitive world
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a changing international order into sharp focus, highlighting both our heightened interdependence and also the obstacles to global cooperation. As…
Americans before allies: Biden’s limited multilateralism
Biden’s approach to multilateralism is driven by his sense of what American voters and elected representatives in Congress will tolerate
Publications
We’ll always have Paris: How to adapt multilateral climate cooperation to new realities
Geopolitical tensions are hindering progress in multilateral climate cooperation. The EU should continue to supplement negotiations under the UN climate convention with smaller initiatives that bring together like-minded, ambitious partners.
Built to order: How Europe can rebuild multilateralism after covid-19
The covid-19 pandemic has brought forward a new agenda for multilateralism, focused on areas including global health, economic recovery, climate, technology, and trade
Crisis presidency: How Portuguese leadership can guide the EU into the post-covid era
The Portuguese EU presidency should handle issues in line with European voters’ perceptions of the new reality created by the coronavirus
Three crises and an opportunity: Europe’s stake in multilateralism
Despite the existing crises to the multilateral system, the EU possesses a set of specific strengths needed to actually save the system
Rescuing multilateralism
The turmoil in the current system represents an opportunity for Europeans to shape a new order that meets their strategic needs
Under the gun: Rearmament for arms control in Europe
Introduction During the cold war, arms control and disarmament agreements helped create a stable equilibrium between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, reducing the…
Separation anxiety: European influence at the UN after Brexit
Brexit has the potential to upset European coordination on development and human rights across the UN system
The United Nations of China: A vision of the world order
China has already brought the world “Socialism with Chinese characteristics”. Will its next goal be a “United Nations with Chinese characteristics”?
Bordering on crisis: Europe, Africa, and a new approach to crisis management
Taking early steps to tackle humanitarian crises is a chance to show the EU has not entirely lost a sense of strategic purpose and that it is able to meet moral
Bursting the UN bubble
Europe must learn the lessons of the Iran negotiations and boost Germany’s role at the UN Security Council to combat Russian blocking tactics
Articles
Multilateral nuclear disorder: Let’s rock till we explode
The global nuclear order has so far proven resilient in the face of Russia’s war on Ukraine. European engagement through the EU and NATO can help shore up this uneasy equilibrium
Ambitions and access: The new economic framework for the Indo-Pacific
The new US-led economic framework for the Indo-Pacific may have limited power to manage China’s ascendence. But the EU has good reasons to pay attention to the discussions around it.
Three key areas of Europe’s climate diplomacy
The EU’s efforts to address climate change should place more emphasis on bilateral alliances and partnerships. But these efforts will only be credible if they are firmly rooted in domestic policies.
Italy’s next bid for victory: The EU and green geopolitics
Italy should use its G20 presidency and COP26 co-presidency to help the EU become a major player in green geopolitics and a mediator between competing great powers
Olympic overreach: Foreign policy lessons for cleaning up international sport
Like all international organisations, major sporting bodies depend on their member states’ support – and willingness to still be in the club
Americans before allies: Biden’s limited multilateralism
Biden’s approach to multilateralism is driven by his sense of what American voters and elected representatives in Congress will tolerate
How city governments can help revitalise the multilateral system
Cities should have a voice in the post-crisis discussion about designing a robust international mechanism for responding to pandemics and other global challenges
Second acts: How Europe can renew the transatlantic partnership
This could be the moment to build a more balanced transatlantic relationship, with Europeans showing the US where we need it to engage, and how – rather than simply waiting for cues from Washington
Europe’s fight for multilateralism: With or without the US?
Regardless of the US election’s outcome, Europe will face some difficult choices on how far liberal states should cooperate with illiberal ones in shaping the international order
Europe’s double bind
The covid-19 pandemic has exposed a gap between European aspirations and actions. If European leaders are serious about defending rules-based multilateralism and securing the European Union’s interests in the twenty-first century, they will need to start coming to terms with today’s geopolitical realities.
Podcasts
Towards stability: A new concert of powers
Could a “concert of powers” be the solution for the increasing power competition between the US and China and the current crisis of democracy?
Between war and order: What has shaped Europe’s geopolitics?
What are different models for thinking about global order? How do ideas about war shape what statesmen and -women do?
Multilateralism after covid-19
How can Europe adapt its strategies for multilateralism in this competitive world and what would they look like?
The coronavirus world order
How can we explain the current crisis of the liberal international order?
Events
22 Mar
La Hora de la Sociedad Civil: Un Diálogo Transatlántico sobre Venezuela
Este debate fue una iniciativa del Foro Cívico, de la Oficina en Washington para Asuntos Latinoamericanos (WOLA), el Open Society Foundations (OSF) y el European…
5 Jul
Between strategic autonomy and multilateralism: a more resilient future for the EU
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and ECFR Rome Office aim at fostering a debate on strategic autonomy and how it intertwines with the promotion of multilateralism
19 May
After the pandemic: Health security and multilateralism at work
The covid-19 pandemic has created a new sense of urgency behind the need for multilateral action
29 Mar
Multilateralism after the pandemic: cooperation in a competitive world
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a changing international order into sharp focus, highlighting both our heightened interdependence and also the obstacles to global cooperation. As…
19 Nov
Diplomacy can deliver: Europe in the fight against climate change
The European Council on Foreign Relations welcomes the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his virtual address to Europe, speaking about the continent’s role in the international fight against climate change
10 Nov
Expert workshop on Europe’s role in multilateralism
A small, high-level online round-table on Europe’s role in multilateralism that ECFR is organising in cooperation with the Foreign Ministries of Finland and Spain
12 Dec
Jak Europa może bronić liberalnego porządku międzynarodowego
Jak Europa może zareagować na obecny kryzys multilateralizmu i znaleźć sojuszników w obronie jego kluczowych instytucji?
12 Dec
How Europe can defend the liberal world order
On Thursday, 12th December, European Council on Foreign Relations and Embassy of Finland organized a debate regarding the future of multilateralism and the role played by…
13 Mar
Nationalism is a delusion: Our futures depend on ever closer Union!
Panel Discussion in cooperation with Intelligence Squared Germany
26 Feb
Z kim budować świat? Unia Europejska i kryzys multilateralizmu
Czy na miejsce liberalnego porządku międzynarodowego „wróci dżungla” i prawo silniejszego?
In the media
The BRICS are trying to build a new world order “brick by brick”, and their cause is gaining influence among other countries also unhappy with the current order
Ana Palacio discusses the possible re-emergence of BRICS due to collective dissatisfaction and mistrust of Western norms and values
We will not be able to stop global warming without the cooperation of developing countries
Mats Engström comments on COP 27
Riyadh wants concessions, even in exchange for help with Russia, and Washington seems now unwilling to grant them. Saudi reaction is a sort of demonstration of what they are able to do (with China).
Cinzia Bianco analyses the relationship between US President Joe Biden and the Saudi Kingdom, and the reason why Riyadh is getting closer to Beijing
The Geneva meetings have not provided us with a precise idea of the direction these negotiations are taking: the positions seem incompatible, the progress limited (…)
Kadri Liik analyzes the recent Geneva negotiations between Russia and the United States on the Ukraine crisis and security in Europe
The objective is to contribute together to a stronger EU as a geopolitical and sovereign actor able to promote its priorities and defend its interests challenges by the Great Powers Competition
According to Teresa Coratella and Arturo Varvelli, the Franco-Italian pact is a mutual need to overcome divergences and improve internal cooperation