Wider Europe

Curtain time in Kosovo

After trying to resolve Kosovo’s status, diplomats have given up. The U.S and the EU now need to back the compromise proposed by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and re-affirm the region’s European trajectory

Russia?s over-managed democracy

Putin?s grand plan may not yet be clear, but most of the likely variants now hinge on how he will use the mandate from Sunday?s election to stage-manage the next vote in March

Observing Russia’s elections

Whatever the electoral outcome, Putin wins. But this time, the manner of the Russian strongman?s victory will undermine not only Russian democracy; but the credibility of Europe?s democracy-promotion

A month for hard power

There?s a real risk that, in the weeks between now and Christmas, the EU will face violence in either Kosovo, where 15,000 European troops underwrite security, or Lebanon where 8,000 Europeans have made up the backbone of the UN peace force

Ukraine: Finally a new Parliament, but no new government

The new Ukrainian parliament finally assembled on Friday, 23 November, almost two months after the elections. It then immediately adjourned until Thursday 29 November. An update on Ukraine’s complex political developments

Balkan ghosts still haunt Europe

Even though Europe’s foreign policy reach is now truly global, talks on Kosovo’s independence have seen Balkan ghosts return to haunt Europe

A ?Power Audit? of EU 27-Russia relations

Despite its economic strength and military might, the EU has begun to behave as if it were subordinate to an increasingly assertive Russia. Read ECFR's “Power Audit” of EU-Russia relations

Guardian: Russia as the new Donald Rumsfeld

Russia has emerged as the most divisive issue in the European Union since Donald Rumsfeld split the European club into ?new’ and ?old’ member states. Read an opinion piece published through Project Syndicate

Burma and Uzbekistan: The EU?s Muddle

European double-standards on Burma and Uzbekistan will hurt the EU’s interests and democracy in both countries