Russia’s hybrid warfare targeting NATO states has intensified since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Attacks on digital and energy infrastructure as well as drone incursions into NATO airspace occur almost daily now and put the alliance on alert about the potential of Russian aggression in the not-too-distant future. Between US president Trump raising…
The disagreement over the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft system, FCAS, shows that when it comes to building a European defence industry, political will is not enough
Mark Leonard welcomes Ulrike Franke to unpack the crisis around Europe’s Future Combat Air System
Europe’s strategic reports are filled with urgent calls for speed and agility. But amid fierce global competition, Europe is still lecturing while other major players deliver results
After years of slow progress by member states, only the European Commission appears to have a plan to invest in Europe’s defence
Roma, 13 Ottobre 202519:00-21:00 Terrazza Civita, Piazza Venezia 11, 00186 Lingua: Inglese…
The changing international environment creates a new opportunity for the relationship between Britain and the EU. From security and defence to trade, migration, and climate, the partnership between the UK and the EU is a strategic imperative. A plurality of Brits and Europeans believe in a closer UK-EU partnership and want them to come together…
Roma, 14 Ottobre 202509:00-12:30 Spazio Vittoria, Via Vittoria Colonna, 11, 00193 RomaTraduzione simultanea inglese-italiano. Per registrarsi: qui (posti limitati, gli organizzatori si riservano di confermare agli iscritti)…
Despite unprecedented Western sanctions, Russia’s economy has shown surprising resilience, though recent data suggests this war-fueled growth may be reaching its limits—a crucial factor since analysts have long identified the economy as key to Russia’s ability to sustain its military campaign. Simultaneously, we’re witnessing escalating Russian hybrid activities against Western nations, from drone incursions into…
Ursula von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union speech stressed that Europe faces mounting threats from Russia, instability in the Middle East and reliance on the US. To become a true geopolitical power, the EU must deliver on defence, preparedness and unity
Together with the Ukrainians, Europeans should begin—now—to draw up a “beyond the horizon” plan for Ukraine in readiness for a ceasefire or even a peace deal
EU leaders have to learn lessons from Ukraine if they want to be truly ready to take responsibility for Europe’s security
Shifting US priorities and a degrading security environment – not to mention the possibility of a second Trump presidency – mean Europeans finally have to take more responsibility for their own security
The Ukraine conflict is a war of attrition – that Russia is set to win. Europeans must act now to increase supplies, helping Ukraine not only survive, but prevail
The disagreement over the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft system, FCAS, shows that when it comes to building a European defence industry, political will is not enough
Europe’s strategic reports are filled with urgent calls for speed and agility. But amid fierce global competition, Europe is still lecturing while other major players deliver results
After years of slow progress by member states, only the European Commission appears to have a plan to invest in Europe’s defence
Ursula von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union speech stressed that Europe faces mounting threats from Russia, instability in the Middle East and reliance on the US. To become a true geopolitical power, the EU must deliver on defence, preparedness and unity
On August 15th, the American and Russian presidents will meet in Alaska to discuss the future of Ukraine—without Ukrainians, or even Europeans, in the room. Quick results are unlikely, and in any case, Europeans still have the cards to shape them
The war in Ukraine and waning trust in US protection have prompted the EU to take more responsibility for its own security. But any joint defence initiative needs to be grounded in a unified political understanding
The EU may need to deploy a peacekeeping force to Ukraine. However, without urgent regulatory changes, its member states are unprepared for the risks of direct confrontation with Russia
European boots on the ground in Ukraine seem more likely than ever before—but discussions on the practicalities of such a “reassurance force” are only just starting
European policymakers face a tough task. While boosting defence spending, they also need to tailor their communication strategies to keep their national publics onside
Donald Trump presents a threat to European security. Now the UK and the EU need to pool their resources: and agreeing an EU-UK security and defence pact on 19th May will be the acid test
Mark Leonard welcomes Ulrike Franke to unpack the crisis around Europe’s Future Combat Air System
Mark Leonard is joined by Camille Grand and Jana Kobzova to discuss ECFR’s new European Security programme and the war in Ukraine
Mark Leonard welcomes Malcolm Chalmers to unpack the UK’s Strategic Defence Review and its implications for European security
Mark Leonard welcomes Adam Tooze to unpack the role of class in the second Trump presidency, and its implications for the US and Europe
In Munich, Mark Leonard welcomes Ulrike Franke, Camille Grand, Janka Oertel and Jana Puglierin to unpack this year’s security conference
Ahead of the Munich Security Conference, hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin talk German defence and the future of the country’s armed forces. They review the first…
Mark Leonard welcomes Ulrike Franke and Jana Puglierin to discuss the recent turmoil surrounding Germany’s defence policy
Mark Leonard is joined by Alex Stubb, Lykke Friis, and Camille Grand, to discuss the outcomes of the NATO summit in Vilnius.
Russia’s hybrid warfare targeting NATO states has intensified since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Attacks on digital and energy infrastructure as well as drone incursions into NATO airspace occur almost daily now and put the alliance on alert about the potential of Russian aggression in the not-too-distant future. Between US president Trump raising…
Roma, 14 Ottobre 202509:00-12:30 Spazio Vittoria, Via Vittoria Colonna, 11, 00193 RomaTraduzione simultanea inglese-italiano. Per registrarsi: qui (posti limitati, gli organizzatori si riservano di confermare agli iscritti)…
Roma, 13 Ottobre 202519:00-21:00 Terrazza Civita, Piazza Venezia 11, 00186 Lingua: Inglese…
The changing international environment creates a new opportunity for the relationship between Britain and the EU. From security and defence to trade, migration, and climate, the partnership between the UK and the EU is a strategic imperative. A plurality of Brits and Europeans believe in a closer UK-EU partnership and want them to come together…
Despite unprecedented Western sanctions, Russia’s economy has shown surprising resilience, though recent data suggests this war-fueled growth may be reaching its limits—a crucial factor since analysts have long identified the economy as key to Russia’s ability to sustain its military campaign. Simultaneously, we’re witnessing escalating Russian hybrid activities against Western nations, from drone incursions into…
Die transatlantischen Beziehungen, lange Zeit ein stabiles Fundament gemeinsamer Werte und Sicherheit, sind ins Wanken geraten. Spätestens seit der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz zeigt sich: Das Bild von Freundschaft und Schulterschluss zwischen den USA und Europa bröckelt. Die Rhetorik aus Washington, die Europa teils als ideologischen Gegner betrachtet, und protektionistische Maßnahmen wie Sonderzölle belasten das Verhältnis spürbar
Der Zerfall der Sowjetunion im Jahr 1991 nährte die Hoffnung auf eine friedlichere europäische Ordnung. Doch diese Hoffnung erwies sich als trügerisch. Unter Wladimir Putin erlebt Russlands Großmachtanspruch eine gefährliche Renaissance, genährt von dem Wunsch, eine Einflusssphäre in Russlands Nachbarschaft wiederherzustellen. Die vom Kreml propagierte Idee einer “russischen Welt”, die russischsprachige Bevölkerungen im Ausland sowie…
Die Beziehungen zur Volksrepublik China prägen maßgeblich die Außenpolitik der EU. Trotz strategischer Kooperationsansätze und Chinas Rolle als wichtigster Handelspartner der EU bestehen erhebliche Ungleichgewichte und politische Spannungen. Während die EU Chinas größter Absatzmarkt ist, führt das Handelsverhältnis zu einem deutlichen Defizit auf europäischer Seite. Zudem belasten Differenzen in Fragen von Demokratie, Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Menschenrechten…
The much-anticipated EU-UK summit on 19 May, expected to include a defense pact, will be an important step in the reset between London and Brussels, with the conflict in Ukraine having been a powerful vehicule for a rapprochment. At the same time, the UK is desperate to maintain its ‘special relationship’ with the US, to also best…
Die europäische Sicherheitspolitik befindet sich in einem fundamentalen Wandel. Die transatlantische Partnerschaft, einst Eckpfeiler europäischer Sicherheit, gerät durch eine veränderte US-amerikanische Außenpolitik zunehmend unter Druck. Gleichzeitig stellen Russland und China zunehmend eine Bedrohung für Europas Sicherheit und Wirtschaftsmodell dar. Diese Entwicklungen zwingen Europa zur dringenden Auseinandersetzung mit seiner eigenen Rolle und der Fähigkeit zur Verteidigung…
Ulrike Franke on Switzerland’s reaction to russian invasion of Ukraine
Jana Puglierin on Germany’s role in European security in light of the Munich Security Conference
