Visiting Fellow
African climate and energy policy, the Gulf states, the Middle East, fragile states
English, Italian, conversational French, and basic Arabic
Corrado Čok is a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. In his research, Čok explores the role of the Gulf states in Africa, with a focus on climate and energy sectors. Prior to joining ECFR, Čok conducted research as an independent consultant on political, energy, economic and security matters in the Gulf and the Horn of Africa, where he also specialised in the role of great and middle powers in the Red Sea. He gained further experience in the humanitarian-development sector working on projects in Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia.
Čok holds an MA in conflict resolution from King’s College London, where he specialised in the political economy of fragile states in Africa and the Middle East.
The Red Sea is becoming more dangerous, and not only because of the Houthis. Conflicts in the Horn of Africa are converging and drawing in external powers, creating new threats to a maritime corridor vital to global trade
Mauritania is a vital buffer against Sahelian instability and a central partner for Europe’s energy and migration policies. As Gulf Arab influence grows, the EU’s Pact for the Mediterranean can align trilateral financial and security interests
Gulf powers are rapidly expanding their investments across Africa while Europe remains slow and risk averse. To remain competitive, the EU should focus on achieving what the Gulf cannot: industrial development in Africa that serves both African and European interests
Al-Shabab is regaining strength in Somalia amid obstacles with the latest peacekeeping mission—just as external partners seek to move away from costly interventions. But there is a path forward
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have soured since the war in Tigray ended in 2022. The region is now a tinderbox for conflict: Europeans need to intervene and pull the various opposing factions back from the brink
Drawing on insights from a recent ECFR policy brief, “Diversification nations: The Gulf way to engage with Africa“, this event aims to explore the growing engagement between Africa and the Gulf, the role of Europe in this evolving dynamic, and whether this trilateral relationship could offer a more resilient model of cooperation in…
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are making geoeconomic inroads into sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in energy and climate. This could affect Europe’s African interests
An unstable Horn of Africa spells major trouble for Europe. The EU should take the reins in the Western response to counter the fallout from the aid withdrawal
Europe can help stabilise the Horn of Africa with a daunting project: a commercial corridor in Somalia that allows Ethiopia access to the sea
Africa’s growing prominence in global geopolitics and geoeconomics presents a landscape of both exciting opportunities and critical challenges for the continent and its international partners. While Africa holds immense potential, such as in the energy sector, it also faces a complex web of political, economic, and social hurdles that can slow development and discourage…
Al-Shabab is regaining strength in Somalia amid obstacles with the latest peacekeeping mission—just as external partners seek to move away from costly interventions. But there is a path forward
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are making geoeconomic inroads into sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in energy and climate. This could affect Europe’s African interests
The UAE has invested heavily in Africa’s energy sectors in recent years, expanding its stakes in oil and gas, and renewables. Rather than viewing the UAE as solely a rival, Europeans should pursue a strategy of “co-opetition”, balancing competition with cooperation in areas of mutual interest, to fast-track green initiatives
The Red Sea is becoming more dangerous, and not only because of the Houthis. Conflicts in the Horn of Africa are converging and drawing in external powers, creating new threats to a maritime corridor vital to global trade
Mauritania is a vital buffer against Sahelian instability and a central partner for Europe’s energy and migration policies. As Gulf Arab influence grows, the EU’s Pact for the Mediterranean can align trilateral financial and security interests
Gulf powers are rapidly expanding their investments across Africa while Europe remains slow and risk averse. To remain competitive, the EU should focus on achieving what the Gulf cannot: industrial development in Africa that serves both African and European interests
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have soured since the war in Tigray ended in 2022. The region is now a tinderbox for conflict: Europeans need to intervene and pull the various opposing factions back from the brink
An unstable Horn of Africa spells major trouble for Europe. The EU should take the reins in the Western response to counter the fallout from the aid withdrawal
Europe can help stabilise the Horn of Africa with a daunting project: a commercial corridor in Somalia that allows Ethiopia access to the sea
Somalia’s new defence pact with Egypt has angered Ethiopia, undermining coalition efforts to contain al-Shabaab, a Jihadist group. European diplomats can help revert this dangerous path
The UAE’s expanding role in Africa’s energy spaces could present a challenge to Europe’s energy security and decarbonisation ambitions – but opportunities for cooperation also exist that could accelerate the global energy transition
Drawing on insights from a recent ECFR policy brief, “Diversification nations: The Gulf way to engage with Africa“, this event aims to explore the growing engagement between Africa and the Gulf, the role of Europe in this evolving dynamic, and whether this trilateral relationship could offer a more resilient model of cooperation in…
Africa’s growing prominence in global geopolitics and geoeconomics presents a landscape of both exciting opportunities and critical challenges for the continent and its international partners. While Africa holds immense potential, such as in the energy sector, it also faces a complex web of political, economic, and social hurdles that can slow development and discourage…
Policy and research circles are increasingly interested in Gulf monarchies’ expanding footprint in Africa, though the challenges and opportunities of the deepening Gulf-Africa relations for global geopolitics are yet to be fully understood. Building on the findings and ideas of the recent policy brief, Beyond competition: How Europe can harness the…
Corrado Čok on the Houthis, control of the Red Sea, and the implications for regional security
Corrado Čok on the impact of the arrival of Yemeni refugees in Djibouti and the risk of growing competition over already scarce resources
Corrado Čok on the impact of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in the Middle East on Saudi oil exports
Corrado Čok on relations between Saudi Arabia and Europe
Corrado Čok on the convergence of crises in the Red Sea
