Foreign policy & defence
The Riga Summit: Enter, pursued by a bear
18 May 2015
The future of the EU’s Eastern Partnership is uncertain. Though it is under pressure from Russian hostility and EU apathy, it can and should be saved.
Two cheers for Ukraine
30 April 2015
Ukraine’s reforms are advancing, but the Minsk peace deal is hard to implement; the military situation is threatening; and the economy is tottering. The EU should help more.
Dead in the water: Fixing the EU’s failed approach to Mediterranean migrants
23 April 2015
The humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean forces the EU to act. It should reform its asylum policy and take action in Libya, not resort to half measures.
Security in the age of austerity: You get what you pay for
08 April 2015
Europe’s neighbourhood is too dangerous for decisions on defence budgets to be left to austerity-minded finance ministers. The UK should set a good example.
Issue 101 - 2015
08 April 2015
- Security in the age of austerity: You get what you pay for, Ian Bond
- The low-hanging fruit of European capital markets, Christian Odendahl
- A Marxist take on the 'Brexit' general election, John Springford
It’s the geopolitics, stupid: Why TTIP matters
02 April 2015
TTIP’s benefits for Europe’s foreign policy should play a larger role in Europe’s debate about the trade talks.
Frozen: The politics and economics of sanctions against Russia
16 March 2015
Western sanctions are hurting Russia more than Europe. They will remain an essential tool to prevent a strong and aggressive Russia dominating its neighbours.
Russia's war in Ukraine: Is Minsk the end, or just the start?
13 February 2015
Putin was the winner in Minsk. Fighting in Ukraine is paused, not finished. Ukraine must reform faster, while the West adapts to confrontation with Russia.
Annual report 2014
02 February 2015
Charles Grant discusses three challenges facing the EU in 2015: the combined problems of Russia and Ukraine; the continuing fragility of the eurozone; and the growing risk of Brexit.
Mogherini's mission: Four steps to make EU foreign policy more strategic
19 January 2015
EU foreign policy can become more strategic with bureaucratic changes, a new security strategy and more committed capitals.
EU-Israel relations: Confrontation or co-operation?
18 December 2014
The EU’s decision to get tougher on Israel’s settlements can damage beneficial co-operation. Steps can be taken in order to manage these tensions.
Ukraine after the elections: Democracy and the barrel of a gun
27 November 2014
Ukraine’s elections were good news, but there is plenty of bad: political, economic and military.
Issue 99 - 2014
27 November 2014
- Ukraine after the elections: Democracy and the barrel of a gun, Ian Bond
- What should an energy union cover?, Nick Butler
- Free movement: Why Britain does not need to change the rules, Camino Mortera-Martinez
Hungary and the West: We need to talk about Viktor
26 November 2014
Hungary under Viktor Orban is backsliding on democratic values. Member-states need to look for ways to bring Orban back into liberal European mainstream.
Iran nuclear talks: Patience is a virtue
13 November 2014
The EU and US should extend the nuclear negotiations with Iran. The falling oil price could pressure Tehran to compromise.
Ukraine, Russia and the EU
30 September 2014
So long as Ukraine’s state and economy remain weak, Russia may be tempted into making further incursions. The West must therefore help to strengthen the country.
Issue 98 - 2014
26 September 2014
- Juncker and his college: The unexpected reformer?, Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska
- How to pull the eurozone out of the mire, Christian Odendahl, John Springford
- No easy choices: Realpolitik in Mesopotamia, Rem Korteweg
No easy choices: Realpolitik in Mesopotamia
26 September 2014
To fight ISIS, the West will have to engage with its friends in the region, and its foes.
The challenge to the West: Restoring European deterrence
03 September 2014
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, deterrence in Europe has broken down. The EU and NATO must show resolve if they are to restore it.
Learning from Herman: A handbook for the European Council president
21 August 2014
Van Rompuy needs to forge a consensus on his successor. He should look in the mirror and seek a candidate with his own best characteristics.