Why China, not Russia, could be the real winner of the Iran war
Russia’s oil bonanza will hardly bridge its huge fiscal gap. China’s current pains are real, but its gains could last
China
Funding war, courting crisis: Why China’s support for Russia requires a European response
Russia is backing China’s claims to Taiwan in return for economic and trade support. Europeans need to understand the real cost of Beijing-Moscow cooperation
Borrowed mouths and laundered messages: China’s influence playbook in Europe
Chinese foreign manipulation and interference are rising in Europe. Five techniques feature in Beijing’s playbook, communicating messages about China’s place in the world and support for Russian positions.
Merz in Beijing: A chance to flip China’s “stability” narrative
Merz’s trip is less a bilateral tour than a signal setting moment: his words and stance will influence whether Europe pivots to a more assertive China strategy or lets Beijing lock in a costly status quo
After the rupture: Middle powers and the construction of new order
As American leadership wanes, middle powers are stitching a patchwork order through new approaches to conflict mediation, connectivity and development. Although these formats are fragmented and opportunistic, Europe should engage with them pragmatically
Pivoting in plain sight: China’s stealthier geoeconomics
China is shifting its economic strategies towards micro-integration and market diversification, which pose a more subtle danger to Europe’s industrial heartlands
Time to align: How Europe can compete with China on clean tech in Africa
The EU must take concrete steps to support African ambitions to move exporting or processing raw materials and become a maker of clean technologies
Band of brothers: Why like-minded powers need to hold the line on China
Like-minded countries are starting to protect themselves from US unpredictability and Chinese dominance by forging new coalitions. This will only work if they limit their solo deals with Beijing
Carbon bargain: How Europe can adapt to Africa’s new energy alliances
Europeans must adapt their approach to supporting Africa’s energy transitions—or risk losing out to China and other competitors
Don’t look down: How Europeans can escape China’s clean-tech gravity
China’s manufacturing surge and trade tactics are dampening Europe’s clean-tech goals. Europeans need to forge coalitions across wary member states to secure their energy independence