The power of control: How the EU can shape the new era of strategic export restrictions
Amid the US-China strategic competition, the EU must develop a new strategic technology doctrine and upgrade its export control policy
European Power
The European Power programme was created in 2015 to help Europeans develop policy responses to the issues affecting the EU’s capacity to act on the global scene. The programme explores the obstacles to sustainable unity on current and future foreign policy challenges and seeks to develop solutions for overcoming them.
Featured
Culture clash: Russia, Ukraine, and the fight for the European public
Russia’s war on Ukraine is a test of European values. The way European governments respond is critical for European sentiment, unity, and solidarity with Ukraine
Star tech enterprise: Emerging technologies in Russia’s war on Ukraine
Russia’s war on Ukraine has featured many of the technological advances the world has made over the past decades. If Europeans are serious about their defence capabilities, they need to learn from this use of emerging technology on both sides of the war
15 Sep
30 Años de Mercado Único: Una mirada hacia el futuro
El Consejo Europeo de Relaciones Exteriores (ECFR) tuvo el placer de organizar un debate público que tuvo lugar el 15 de septiembre (09:30 – 14:30h)…
28 Sep
Powering the future: Charting Europe’s climate and energy sovereignty
Referring to it as “our answer to the call of history”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the achievements of the European Green…
Defending the open society with Mark Malloch-Brown
Mark Leonard welcomes Mark Malloch-Brown to discuss the future of the open society model in Europe and the world
Rescue mission: Von der Leyen’s call of history and the rules-based global order
Ursula von der Leyen’s state of the EU address was defensive in tone – but one part of it could prove groundbreaking
Indispensable leverage: How the EU can build its technological edge
Technology is at the heart of today’s great power struggle. To stand its ground, the EU should not only de-risk its trade ties, but advance its technological edge to build geo-economic leverage
15 Sep
30 years of the Single Market: A look into the future
The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) was pleased to invite you to the public debate that took place on September 15 (09:30 – 14:30h)…
Conflict and interests: Why Sudan’s external mediation is a barrier to peace
The war in Sudan has given rise to multiple – and sometimes divisive – mediation efforts. The EU and its member states should aim to help unify these efforts and end the warring parties’ ‘forum shopping’
The great reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their security and defence cooperation
In this seventh episode of our mini-series , Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Nick Witney and Camille Grand about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations, especially regarding cooperation on defence
13 Sep
Italia, Europa e disinformazione russa e cinese: sfide e prospettive in vista delle elezioni europee 2024
In vista delle elezioni europee del 2024, la disinformazione si conferma una delle sfide che Italia ed Europa devono affrontare con grande urgenza. Per…
Star tech enterprise: Emerging technologies in Russia’s war on Ukraine
Russia’s war on Ukraine has featured many of the technological advances the world has made over the past decades. If Europeans are serious about their defence capabilities, they need to learn from this use of emerging technology on both sides of the war
Publications
Star tech enterprise: Emerging technologies in Russia’s war on Ukraine
Russia’s war on Ukraine has featured many of the technological advances the world has made over the past decades. If Europeans are serious about their defence capabilities, they need to learn from this use of emerging technology on both sides of the war
Democratic defence: How Italy can lead the fight against Russian disinformation
Italy’s politics and social media remain vulnerable to Russian influence. But opportunities exist to strengthen itself for the future.
Keeping America close, Russia down, and China far away: How Europeans navigate a competitive world
European citizens are adapting slowly to the new geopolitical landscape. But leaders have an opportunity to build public consensus on Europe’s approach to China, the US, and Russia
Brace yourself: How the 2024 US presidential election could affect Europe
Fierce debates are raging among both Republicans and Democrats about America’s future foreign policy orientation. Europeans should take note and prepare
The power of control: How the EU can shape the new era of strategic export restrictions
Amid the US-China strategic competition, the EU must develop a new strategic technology doctrine and upgrade its export control policy
Culture clash: Russia, Ukraine, and the fight for the European public
Russia’s war on Ukraine is a test of European values. The way European governments respond is critical for European sentiment, unity, and solidarity with Ukraine
Decarbonisation nations: How EU climate diplomacy can save the world
The EU’s status as a global leader on decarbonisation is in uncertain territory. It needs a new approach to climate diplomacy, centred in a broader political and economic relationship with its partners worldwide
Keeping the lights on: The EU’s energy relationships since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The EU’s ‘friends in need’ have supported it through the energy crisis. The bloc must now balance buying more gas with helping supplier states develop clean energy.
The art of vassalisation: How Russia’s war on Ukraine has transformed transatlantic relations
Europeans’ response to Russia’s war on Ukraine confirms their profound dependence on the US – an unwise position given the security challenge in Europe and coming geopolitical competition with China
Fragile unity: Why Europeans are coming together on Ukraine (and what might drive them apart)
Recent polling for ECFR suggests that Europeans have come closer together in their support for Ukraine. But the factors driving this unity are fragile, contingent, and may not last
Articles
Rescue mission: Von der Leyen’s call of history and the rules-based global order
Ursula von der Leyen’s state of the EU address was defensive in tone – but one part of it could prove groundbreaking
Indispensable leverage: How the EU can build its technological edge
Technology is at the heart of today’s great power struggle. To stand its ground, the EU should not only de-risk its trade ties, but advance its technological edge to build geo-economic leverage
Conflict and interests: Why Sudan’s external mediation is a barrier to peace
The war in Sudan has given rise to multiple – and sometimes divisive – mediation efforts. The EU and its member states should aim to help unify these efforts and end the warring parties’ ‘forum shopping’
New energy partners: A testing ground for Europe’s geopolitical turn
The war in Ukraine has forced Europeans to keep the lights on through adopting a far more strategic approach to their energy security. ECFR’s Energy Deals Tracker has monitored the success of the EU’s energy diversification – and identifies challenges ahead.
Onwards and outwards: Why the EU needs to move from strategic autonomy to strategic interdependence
Strategic autonomy is a defensive strategy that sends the wrong message to the world. The EU should instead accept that interdependencies are not only inevitable but desirable, and cultivate them with its allies and partners
The BRICS summit and Europe’s China challenge: A better EU offer for the global south
The EU and its member states have not kept pace with China’s advancing investment in global south states. Leaders’ messages from this year’s BRICS summit should prompt Europeans to upgrade their offer.
Primary concern: Trump, Ukraine, and the Republicans’ foreign policy divisions
The candidates for the Republican primaries hold diverging views on the future of US foreign policy. In the event of a Republican victory, Europeans must prepare for an end to American support to Ukraine.
Drones in Ukraine and beyond: Everything you need to know
The Ukrainian battlespace features the most intensive use of drones in a military conflict in history, marking a shift in warfare tactics and technology
The tech standards that shape the future: How Europeans should respond to China’s rising influence
Europeans should avoid escalating matters with China in the world of international technology standards – but they should nevertheless remain watchful and establish a platform to monitor developments in this crucial arena
Three lessons from Europe’s response to Ukrainian migration
Europe’s response to Ukrainian migration has shown the benefits of a humane approach towards refugees. It should set a precedent for a more compassionate European migration policy
Specials
EU Energy Deals Tracker
The energy deals the EU and its member states are now making with third countries will shape Europeans’ ability to protect their energy security in the long term. The EU Energy Deals Tracker provides a comprehensive overview of these agreements, including their implications for the sustainable transition.
European Sovereignty Index
The EU can overcome the new challenges it faces and can shape the global order. To achieve this, Europeans will need to improve their joint capacity to act.
The European Sentiment Compass 2022
In the wake of pandemic and war, the Sentiment Compass assesses the changing expectations of the EU across its member states. It finds that EU should harness the power of culture and the free media to nurture a stronger European sentiment – helping it to address the major challenges facing the continent.
The Power Atlas
Power is now defined by control over flows of people, goods, money, and data, and via the connections they establish. Only states that see the new map of geopolitical power clearly will be able to control the modern world.
EU Cohesion Monitor
European cohesion is bouncing back after crisis years. The EU Cohesion Monitor presents new insights on cohesion as an underestimated source of strength and collective action in the EU.
EU Coalition Explorer
The Coalition Explorer illustrates the expert opinions of more than 800 respondents who work on European policy and creates a visual understanding of the views held by Europe’s professional political class
European Solidarity Tracker
The European Solidarity Tracker collects and displays instances of pan-European solidarity throughout the coronavirus crisis
Independence play: Europe’s pursuit of strategic autonomy
To fulfil its true potential, the EU needs to end its strategic cacophony and focus on capability building
What Europeans really want: Five myths debunked
New ECFR/YouGov research reveals huge fluidity in current voting intentions: 70 percent of Europeans certain to vote are yet to make their choice. Nearly 100m swing voters are up for grabs.
The 2019 European election: How anti-Europeans plan to wreck Europe and what can be done to stop it
Summary With anti-Europeans on their way to winning more than one-third of seats in the next European Parliament, the stakes in the May 2019 election…
Podcasts
Defending the open society with Mark Malloch-Brown
Mark Leonard welcomes Mark Malloch-Brown to discuss the future of the open society model in Europe and the world
The great reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their security and defence cooperation
In this seventh episode of our mini-series , Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Nick Witney and Camille Grand about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations, especially regarding cooperation on defence
The Great Reset? Challenges and opportunities for EU-UK cooperation
In this sixth episode of our mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Philip Rycroft about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
Europe Listens: Governing outer space with Ruvimbo Samanga
The global space economy is worth a whopping $469 billion, and growing fast. Commercial interests are proliferating; more and more countries are launching satellites…
Europe Listens: Combatting online disinformation with Flora Rebello Arduini
On 8 January 2023, following a contentious national election, protestors attacked government buildings in Brazil’s capital. The riots were preceded by years of online disinformation,…
Europe Listens: Overcoming the global digital divide with Jane Munga
Digital technologies are set to transform African economies. Yet, only 40 per cent of Africans accessed the internet in 2022 – well below the…
The Great Reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their economic cooperation with Ivan Rogers
In this fifth episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Ivan Rogers about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
The Great Reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their cooperation on climate and energy with Nick Butler
In this fourth episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Nick Butler about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
The Great Reset? The view from Brussels with Mujtaba Rahman
In this third episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to Mujtaba Rahman about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
The great reset? How the EU and the UK can rethink their cooperation on foreign policy with David Lidington
In this second episode of our new mini-series, Mark Leonard and Susi Dennison talk to David Lidington about the potential for a great reset in UK-EU relations
Events
15 Sep
30 Años de Mercado Único: Una mirada hacia el futuro
El Consejo Europeo de Relaciones Exteriores (ECFR) tuvo el placer de organizar un debate público que tuvo lugar el 15 de septiembre (09:30 – 14:30h)…
28 Sep
Powering the future: Charting Europe’s climate and energy sovereignty
Referring to it as “our answer to the call of history”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the achievements of the European Green…
15 Sep
30 years of the Single Market: A look into the future
The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) was pleased to invite you to the public debate that took place on September 15 (09:30 – 14:30h)…
13 Sep
Italia, Europa e disinformazione russa e cinese: sfide e prospettive in vista delle elezioni europee 2024
In vista delle elezioni europee del 2024, la disinformazione si conferma una delle sfide che Italia ed Europa devono affrontare con grande urgenza. Per…
20 Jul
La Cumbre UE-CELAC y la Presidencia Española: Próximos pasos
El 20 de julio ECFR celebró una reunión virtual a puerta cerrada para intercambiar perspectivas sobre los resultados alcanzados en la Cumbre UE-CELAC del 17-18 julio y la posterior hoja de ruta durante la Presidencia española del Consejo de la UE
13 Jul
Democratic defence: Dibattito su Italia, Europa e disinformazione
Cosa possono fare Italia ed Europa sul tema della disinformazione e delle interferenze esterne in vista delle elezioni europee del 2024?
28 Jun
Building Connections: A 2024 Mediterranean Agenda for the Next European Commission
Expert workshop on a new Mediterranean agenda for the EU, organized by the Rome office of ECFR and the Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of the Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS PolDiMed)
25 May
Battle of narratives: Europe in the face of Russian cultural war
The discussion, organized by the Rome Office of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and LUISS School of Government, features the presentation of ECFR’s 2023 European Sentiment Compass
4 May
Embracing the Long War: Scenari per Europa & Italia
La conferenza è l’evento finale del progetto “Rome Foreign Policy Club: Gruppo di riflessione strategica su Italia, multilateralismo e interconnessioni”, con focus sugli scenari globali e per il Mediterraneo allargato dopo l’invasione dell’Ucraina
19 Apr
War, Technology and Power: The challenges to international security – 2nd edition of the Tech & Foreign Policy Summit
The second edition of the Tech & Foreign Policy Summit is organised by the Rome office of ECFR with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and in collaboration with the Post Conflict Operations Study Centre (PCOSC) of the Training Command and Application School of the Italian Army
In the media
None of the upcoming national European elections will ever undermine or weaken Europe’s solidarity towards Ukraine. But American elections might represent a turning point.
Teresa Coratella comments on the war in Ukraine focusing on the internal frictions within the transatlantic coalition
Europe is still thinking about what de-risking is and how to implement it in practice
Warsaw’s militarily support for Ukraine will not substantially change
Polish-Ukrainian relations have become hostage to the Polish electoral campaign
Piotr Buras comments on the relationship between Poland’s parliamentary elections and Warsaw’s aid to Ukraine
I know there are concerns in other European capitals about whether Sweden will stay a climate leader. I wouldn’t say it will totally destroy this reputation but it will fuel concerns
