Foreign policy & defence
European defence needs resolve, resources and resilience to deter and resist the EU’s adversaries
12 November 2026
TEPSA - Trans European Policy Studies Association
The first priority listed by the incoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU is “Strengthening security and defence in the EU and the Euro-Atlantic area, ensuring comprehensive support for Ukraine and adequate defence funding”.
Unpacking Europe: Where do transatlantic relations go from here?
11 November 2026
Following the US midterm elections, James Green spoke with Penny Naas and Armida van Rij about the future of transatlantic relations and US foreign policy.
Unpacking Europe: What does Putin want with Europe?
16 October 2026
Ian Bond spoke with Ruth Deyermond about Russia and the US and European relations with Russia.
Why MAGA's far-right European ties will endure
27 August 2026
Carnegie Europe
In supporting Europe’s far-right, MAGA and Russia both want the same thing: a weaker EU. Europe must defend itself without abandoning the openness these forces exploit.
Unpacking Europe: UK defence policy and role in NATO in the Burnham government
30 July 2026
Armida van Rij spoke with Lord Robertson about priorities for UK defence for the new Burnham government, and the UK's role in a changing NATO.
How Russia's War on Ukraine is Reshaping Europe's Defense Strategy
14 July 2026
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Russia's war on Ukraine is now in its fifth year. Where do things stand?
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee): Deterrence in an age of Russian aggression
13 July 2026
Armida van Rij gave evidence to UK Parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy for its inquiry into deterrence in an age of Russian aggression.
The EU should not shrug off criticisms of its Israel-Palestine policies
09 July 2026
Encompass
Brushing off accusations of double standards in foreign policy is a losing strategy for the EU. Better to engage with the criticism and course correct its policy.
NPR: NATO summit set to begin in Turkey
07 July 2026
Armida van Rij spoke to NPR ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara "Europe needs to quite seriously think about their way of war, how they're going to bring mass to a conflict, how they're going to use technology, how they're going to learn lessons from Ukraine in terms of developing really quick innovation cycles."
Taking the Pulse: Has Meloni broken MAGA's civilizational axis?
02 July 2026
Carnegie Europe
As I wrote right after Trump’s 2024 election, there was always an inherent contradiction in nationalist leaders who want to put America first, or Italy first, or Germany first banding together.
Developing a European way of war
01 July 2026
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
This year's NATO summit takes place against the backdrop of a radically changing US posture in Europe prompted by different threat perceptions of Russia.
Unpacking Europe: Rearming Europe for deterrence
10 June 2026
Ian Bond spoke with Armida van Rij and Michael Martin Richter about the new publication ‘Rearming Europe for deterrence’.
Unpacking Europe: How Europe is responding in Lebanon and Palestine
13 May 2026
Thomas Maddock spoke with Zizette Darkazally and Schams El Ghoneimi about Europe's response to conflict in Lebanon and Palestine.
Taking the Pulse: Is it worth it for Europeans to placate Trump?
07 May 2026
Carnegie Europe
A year and change into President Trump’s second term, it has become abundantly clear that appeasement only leads to short-term wins.
Nieuwsuur: De (schaduw)bondjes van de NAVO zonder Trump
16 April 2026
In deze video spreken we met NAVO- en Europa-onderzoeker bij het Centre for European Reform, Armida van Rij, en NAVO-correspondent Kysia Hekster.
Taking the Pulse: Can NATO Survive the Iran war?
09 April 2026
Carnegie Europe
Donald Trump has repeatedly bashed NATO and European allies, threatening to annex Canada and Greenland and deploring their lack of enthusiasm for his war of choice in Iran. Is this latest round of abuse the final straw?
Unpacking Europe: The future of EU-Türkiye relations
26 March 2026
Thomas Maddock spoke with Galip Dalay and Senem Aydin-Düzgit about the future of EU-Türkiye relations and how geopolitical upheaval is changing the relationship.
Trump wants to strongarm Nato into a new Gulf war. Here’s why Europe must resist
18 March 2026
The Guardian
If Europe is sucked into this illegal conflict with Iran, public support for rearmament could collapse – and only Putin will benefit.
Monocle Radio - The Briefing: Trump delays talks with Xi as the Iran war rages on
17 March 2026
Armida van Rij joined aspoke to Monocle Radio's The Briefing to discuss the far right's wins and losses in the French municipal elections (from 11:40 mins).
Unpacking Europe: Four years of war in Ukraine
24 February 2026
Ian Bond spoke with Andy Hunder and Victoria Vdovychenko about the economic, military and societal situation in Ukraine, four years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.