1989- the greatest year in European history?
In the first in our mini-series on the events of 1989, host Mark Leonard is joined by very special guest Timothy Garton Ash, historian and…
Experts & Staff
Timothy Garton Ash
A message from Timothy Garton Ash: Tell us you want Britain to stay
Leaders across Europe might want to get Brexit over the line. But in the long term the EU would be weaker without the UK.
We know the price of appeasement. That’s why we must stand up to Viktor Orbán
This appeasement has to stop. If Hungary’s anti-liberal, nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, persists in his attempts to close down the country’s best and most independent university, and continues to erode liberal democracy in many other ways, then the EU’s powerful grouping of centre-right parties must expel Orbán’s party from its ranks.
Populists are out to divide us. They must be stopped.
The US is the latest country to be seduced by nationalists. Liberals should brace themselves for a long struggle
Timothy Ash on the economic impact of sanctions against Russia
In the second of two podcasts examining possible sanctions against Vladimir Putin's Russia, following Moscow's actions in Crimea, Timothy Ash looks at the possible…
Václav Havel remembered
A defining figure of late twentieth century Europe, Václav Havel, has died. Among his many roles he was an ECFR Council Member, and is being mourned by those who knew, respected and – sometimes – argued with him.
Living Together in 21st Century Europe
Cultural diversity has been a constant feature of European history, and the source of many of our greatest achievement. We propose 17 principles to help policy-makers, leaders and activists ensure that Europe benefits from migration rather than fears it.
The view from Beijing tells you why we need a European foreign policy
The EU’s national rivalries comprise a standing invitation for any major world power to divide and rule. In an article for The Guardian, Timothy Garton Ash argues that even if things go well, what Europeans may achieve in concentrating power resources will only just compensate for the relative loss of power to the re-emerging old-new giants in the east.
With this timid choice of leaders, the EU may have the faces it deserves
The holders of the new top jobs can perfectly represent a Europe that does not dare to project its values as a continent
This EU job is no presidency. It will rely on another. And it won’t be Blair.
Two people are needed to get Europe’s voice heard in the world. And it is the other one who is more likely to be British.
Publications
Living in an à la carte world: What European policymakers should learn from global public opinion
A new global opinion poll for ECFR reveals that many people outside the West want Europe and the US in their lives for all they have to offer – but that does not translate into full political alignment. People instead prefer an a la carte arrangement, in which their governments pragmatically select their partners depending on the matter at hand
United West, divided from the rest: Global public opinion one year into Russia’s war on Ukraine
New polling for ECFR reveals the West is consolidating – while facing an increasingly post-Western world, in which powers such as India and Turkiye are readier than ever to act independently
Articles
A defeat for Putin in Ukraine will improve the chances for the Other Russia
Alexei Navalny’s funeral and this weekend’s so-called election show us two Russias. Support the better one
As Putin and Trump threaten from east and west, Europe must stand up for itself
In the 1950s, European nations tried and failed to build a defence community. They should try again
In our new world disorder, the old bipolar frames of reference won’t get us anywhere
Now, a country can be aligned with the US on security while cosying up to Russia on energy and China on trade
With this election victory, Poland is smiling again – and that’s good for all of Europe
The country’s populist nightmare is almost over, but it’s still early days and there are tough tasks ahead
Putin, Pushkin, and the decline of the Russian empire
Behind Ukraine’s rejection of Russia’s revered poet is a much bigger story of imperial decay
In Ukraine I saw a brave but ravaged land in limbo. It needs a future – it needs NATO
Joe Biden must be bold at this week’s summit, and help to give Kyiv the security that would allow it to rebuild
Seven years on, the UK and EU are still drifting apart. The public wants a change
Britain is like a sailing boat in the middle of the Channel, struggling for direction. It needs a bold new captain and a new crew
Will the 22ers become a new political generation?
The war in Ukraine has the potential to define a European cohort – but it is not yet clear whether it will
Why the West must be ready for this moment of opportunity and risk in Ukraine
Ukrainians are preparing for a make-or-break counter-offensive. They have a theory of victory. Do we?
In this moment of crisis, opening the door to Ukraine is one thing the EU can do
Zelensky and his people are fighting for their lives to defend European values. They have earned the prospect of EU membership once this brutal war is over.
Podcasts
Living in an à la carte world: What European policymakers should learn from global public opinion
Jeremy Shapiro welcomes Timothy Garton Ash, Ivan Krastev and Mark Leonard to discuss how public sentiment can guide Europe in building partnerships and the world of tomorrow
The blindsided: How France and Germany cleared the way for Russia
Mark Leonard welcomes Sylvie Kauffmann and Timothy Garton Ash to discuss the former’s new book “The Blindsided” and France and Germany’s history with Putin’s Russia
United West, divided from the rest: Global public opinion one year into Russia’s war on Ukraine
Mark Leonard, Timothy Garton Ash, and Ivan Krastev discuss the main findings of ECFR’s latest opinion poll
15 years of ECFR: Reflections on Europe in a tumultuous world
We turned 15! Time to reflect on the past years and ECFR’s role in helping Europe find a strong, united voice
1989- the greatest year in European history?
In the first in our mini-series on the events of 1989, host Mark Leonard is joined by very special guest Timothy Garton Ash, historian and…
Timothy Ash on the economic impact of sanctions against Russia
In the second of two podcasts examining possible sanctions against Vladimir Putin's Russia, following Moscow's actions in Crimea, Timothy Ash looks at the possible…
In the media
Timothy Garton Ash on Europe’s soft power
The multipolar world, in this form, does not allow multilateralism, or even nonalignment in the sense of the Cold War, but rather multi-alignment
Timothy Garton Ash comments on key findings of new ECFR survey
In this op-ed, Timothy Garton Ash comments on the results of ECFR’s new global polling and the features of the new global order
Leading politicians in Europe and the United States often portray the world of the 21st century as a rivalry between competing ideological and political systems
Instead of clinging to old alliances, European decision-makers must seek new partners in this “world à la carte” for the crucial issues of the 21st century, Mark Leonard, Ivan Krastev and Timothy Garton Ash state
Timothy Garton Ash writes about the new à la carte world