A marriage of convenience? The future of Italy–Russia relations
Russia is a long-time ally, and rather than engaging in EU security cooperation it wants to return to its “marriage of convenience” as soon as possible
Commentary
An unpredictable Russia: the impact on Poland
With a raft of other crises at the EU’s doorstep, Warsaw might find it difficult to gain support for its assertive approach towards Russia
Kazakhstan’s triple crisis: a perfect storm in the making?
Increased radicalism, crackdowns, and controversial reforms make for an uncertain succession in troubled times
The EU’s global strategy: Three quotations
A cultural shift to put local expertise and initiative at the centre of policy making is necessary.
Brexit and defence: Time to dust off the ‘letter of intent’?
In the absence of a comprehensive framework for post-Brexit defence cooperation between the UK and EU 27, the forgotten Letter of Intent agreement could provide a useful stop-gap
Law of the Sea: China, the EU, and the global order
The stronger China gets, the more important is the question of whether it will be a world power that wields its strength responsibly. The recent ruling against China by a UN arbitration tribunal brings this question into sharp focus
After Warsaw: A 3-point plan to manage migration through Libya
Adding NATO to Operation Sophia is unlikely to substantially change the picture – though it won’t hurt. Instead, in the coming months the EU should focus on three policy baskets
Eastern extravaganzas
Political vagaries, a hatred of the elite, corruption and staunch nationalism divide Eastern Europe between populists and liberals
Insurgents vs stabilisers: Spanish politics post-Brexit
The Spanish have spoken and dealt a blow to Podemos. The stabilising forces in government now have a last chance to take a stronger leadership role in the EU
Who’s to blame for Transnistria’s economic crisis?
Apart from the role of corruption, another cause of the crisis is politics