Foreign policy & defence
Gas on troubled waters?
13 January 2014
Cyprus must find a way to export its natural gas. A grand bargain with Israel and Turkey would improve politics in the region and benefit Europe.
Running into the sand? The EU's faltering response to the Arab revolutions
18 December 2013
A new, pragmatic approach to the southern neighbourhood is needed if the EU wants to address the political, economic, social and security challenges following the Arab Spring.
Not flashy but effective: Closer EU co-operation in defence investments
13 December 2013
This month, European leaders will discuss how to strengthen EU military co-operation. It is the first time that defence has been on the European Council’s agenda since 2008and EU officials had hoped the member-states would unveil bold initiatives to stem the deterioration of their armed forces.
The Eastern Partnership: The road from Vilnius leads to ...?
09 December 2013
The EU's Eastern Partners are increasingly heterogeneous. Reform-minded Georgia and Moldova deserve support; Ukraine needs tough love. The EU should stand up to Russian pressure.
Fail to plan, plan to fail: European security and defence
29 November 2013
In December, EU leaders will discuss defence. Instead of wrangling over capability shortfalls, they should first agree what they want to achieve, and how.
CSDP between internal constraints and external challenges
31 October 2013
EU Institute for Security Studies
Improving Europe's military and civilian capabilities in a shifting security environment represents a major challenge for the EU and its member-states.
Ukraine: Edging towards the EU?
24 October 2013
If Ukraine signs an EU Association Agreement next month, that is only the start. Implementing it will take hard work from Kyiv and support from Brussels.
Division and indecision over Syria
18 September 2013
The Syrian crisis has split Europe and the US. They should push for a common Security Council position, but an ambiguous resolution may lead to military action and further division.
The Commons vote on Syria: The world turned upside down
04 September 2013
Britain has long boasted of punching above its weight. Does Parliament's vote on Syria change that? Will others take over Britain's role or follow its example?
Europe's struggle for influence in Egypt
23 August 2013
The EU has stopped some arms sales to Egypt but it tells the new regime that Europe accepts the coup and it chooses stability, not democracy.
How the EU can help Kerry with Israeli and Palestinian peace talks
07 August 2013
The US convinced Israelis and Palestinians to sign up to new negotiations. The EU's actions helped, and it can do more.
Edward Snowden's '1984'
24 July 2013
Europe needs a serious debate on privacy and security, not hypocritical outrage about American spying or opportunistic attempts to block transatlantic trade talks.
The trials and tribulations of European defence co-operation
24 July 2013
In response to the economic crisis, European militaries are working more closely together than before. But they still need to collaborate further.
Turkey’s Twitter generation is its European future
19 June 2013
The protests in Turkey show Erdogan's leadership style is at odds with the more pluralist and modern society that his government's EU-inspired reforms have fostered.
A Balkan map for the road to Damascus?
24 May 2013
Everyone's policy in Syria has failed. Bosnia may teach us about the combination of tough action and painful compromise needed to bring about peace.
Issue 90 - 2013
24 May 2013
NATO and the costs of star wars
01 May 2013
Europeans should convince the US to scale back its missile defences ambitions. American defences do not work. They are also creating unnecessary tensions with Russia.
Why Europe should change its approach to Azerbaijan
25 March 2013
The EU has relied on oil and gas from Azerbaijan to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies since the beginning of the century.
Issue 89 - 2013
25 March 2013
- It's the politics, stupid!, Simon Tilford
- Central and East European migrants are a boon for Britain, John Springford
- Why Europe should change its approach to Azerbaijan, Rem Korteweg
The EU and Iran
15 March 2013
The EU-Iran relationship focuses on the stop-and-go negotiations to end Iran's nuclear programme, which Europeans and the US believe is designed to build nuclear weapons.