Europe, Trump and the war in Iran
Mark Leonard welcomes Piotr Buras, Carla Hobbs, Camille Lons, Jana Puglierin and Arturo Varvelli to discuss how Europe is responding to the war in Iran
Experts & Staff
Carla Hobbs
Head ECFR, Madrid
Policy Fellow
Languages
English, Spanish
Biography
Carla Hobbs is the Head of Madrid office and Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Prior to joining ECFR in 2018, Hobbs worked at the European External Action Service as a Political Officer in the Delegation of the European Union to Chile and previously as a Junior Professional in the EU Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. Between 2014 and 2016, she was a research assistant in the ECFR Madrid Office, directly supporting the head of the office José Ignacio Torreblanca.
Hobbs holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of Edinburgh and a Master’s degree in International Journalism from City University London.
Trump vs Sanchez: Why Europeans should back Spain against US threats
The US has threatened Spain with a trade embargo for refusing it access to Spanish military bases. European leaders should use this moment to show they are capable of not bowing to Washington when it is against their interests
A brighter future: Why upgrading the grid is vital for Europe’s competitiveness
Europe’s climate goals, industrial plans and geopolitical ambitions are outpacing its electricity infrastructure. If upgrades do not speed up, the grid will become the main barrier to Europe’s success
28
Oct
European Power
La Unión Europea en la era de las guerras comerciales: ¿cómo fortalecer sus instrumentos, estrategias e influencia?
La Unión Europea se encuentra en una coyuntura crítica. La segunda administración Trump ha intensificado la presión comercial sobre Europa con nuevos aranceles y una agenda abiertamente proteccionista. Mientras, China está aprovechando su capacidad industrial y el control sobre minerales estratégicos y tierras raras para reforzar su influencia. En este contexto de creciente…
Brazil: Europe’s bridge to the global south
Brazil and Europe share many similarities: both seek autonomy amid escalating US-China tensions – while championing multilateralism and navigating democratic pressures for a values-based foreign policy. However, their potential for collaboration remains largely untapped
Winds of change: The EU’s green agenda after the European Parliament election
After the European Parliament election, the incoming EU institutions will likely prioritise security and competitiveness, complicating the path to climate action. Climate progressives will need compelling narratives, strategic resourcing, and diplomatic engagement to advance the best possible climate agenda over the next five years
Multilateral Matchmaker
Multilateral coalitions are increasingly important for combatting global challenges. Europeans have many eligible – and untapped – potential partner countries, but to stand out they need to ensure their offer is as grounded in these partners’ interests as their own
20
Jul
European Power
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
Byting back: The EU’s digital alliance with Latin America and the Caribbean
The EU can counter Chinese and Russian influence through a digital alliance with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
Europe’s digital sovereignty: From rulemaker to superpower in the age of US-China rivalry
The EU cannot continue to rely on its regulatory power but must become a tech superpower in its own right. Referees do not win the game
Publications
Brazil: Europe’s bridge to the global south
Brazil and Europe share many similarities: both seek autonomy amid escalating US-China tensions – while championing multilateralism and navigating democratic pressures for a values-based foreign policy. However, their potential for collaboration remains largely untapped
Winds of change: The EU’s green agenda after the European Parliament election
After the European Parliament election, the incoming EU institutions will likely prioritise security and competitiveness, complicating the path to climate action. Climate progressives will need compelling narratives, strategic resourcing, and diplomatic engagement to advance the best possible climate agenda over the next five years
Byting back: The EU’s digital alliance with Latin America and the Caribbean
The EU can counter Chinese and Russian influence through a digital alliance with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
Europe’s digital sovereignty: From rulemaker to superpower in the age of US-China rivalry
The EU cannot continue to rely on its regulatory power but must become a tech superpower in its own right. Referees do not win the game
Together in trauma: Europeans and the world after covid-19
A new survey shows that, after the onset of the covid-19 crisis, there has been a rise in public support for unified EU action to tackle global threats
Articles
Trump vs Sanchez: Why Europeans should back Spain against US threats
The US has threatened Spain with a trade embargo for refusing it access to Spanish military bases. European leaders should use this moment to show they are capable of not bowing to Washington when it is against their interests
A brighter future: Why upgrading the grid is vital for Europe’s competitiveness
Europe’s climate goals, industrial plans and geopolitical ambitions are outpacing its electricity infrastructure. If upgrades do not speed up, the grid will become the main barrier to Europe’s success
The EU as a digital regulatory superpower: Implications for the United States
The US and the EU could move beyond their persistent regulatory and technological disputes to establish a common position on the digital space
Digital dilemmas: European regulation and the internet
The internet fundamentally tests the ways in which governments approach regulation
Can regulation save the Internet? The view from London
Figures from across government, the private sector, and wider society argue in favour of adequate regulation to mitigate the harmful effects of the internet. But what should this regulation look like?
Spain’s craziest election ever
Spain's snap election will be of “existential importance” – below, an explainer to get ready for Sunday outlining the contenders and possible outcomes
Does Europe have a digital future?
The “third Industrial Revolution” – the digital revolution – is well underway and Europe cannot afford to miss it
Specials
Multilateral Matchmaker
Multilateral coalitions are increasingly important for combatting global challenges. Europeans have many eligible – and untapped – potential partner countries, but to stand out they need to ensure their offer is as grounded in these partners’ interests as their own
Podcasts
Europe, Trump and the war in Iran
Mark Leonard welcomes Piotr Buras, Carla Hobbs, Camille Lons, Jana Puglierin and Arturo Varvelli to discuss how Europe is responding to the war in Iran
Events
28
Oct
European Power
La Unión Europea en la era de las guerras comerciales: ¿cómo fortalecer sus instrumentos, estrategias e influencia?
La Unión Europea se encuentra en una coyuntura crítica. La segunda administración Trump ha intensificado la presión comercial sobre Europa con nuevos aranceles y una agenda abiertamente proteccionista. Mientras, China está aprovechando su capacidad industrial y el control sobre minerales estratégicos y tierras raras para reforzar su influencia. En este contexto de creciente…
20
Jul
European Power
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
In the media
Carla Hobbs on how the EU’s regulatory simplification agenda is leading to deregulation
Carla Hobbs on how the EU’s regulatory simplification agenda is leading to deregulation
Carla Hobbs on how the EU’s regulatory simplification agenda is leading to deregulation
Susi Dennison and Carla Hobbs on how the EU should reinvent itself for COP30
On Carla Hobbs in her role as moderator of the 10/28 ECFR public debate in Madrid