Foreign policy & defence
Who's ready for EU enlargement?
01 November 2002
After more than a decade of preparation, 10 new members are set to join the EU on May 1st, 2004. However, in the final phase of negotiations, both the candidates and the EU have lost sight of the historic importance of this unprecedented expansion.
What future for NATO?
04 October 2002
With war looming against Iraq, seven new members set to join the Alliance and a growing transatlantic gap in military power, NATO's role as the world's most effective military alliance is at stake.
New designs for Europe
04 October 2002
Everybody agrees that the EU's institutions are in bad need of reform. In the Convention on the Future of Europe, and elsewhere, a real debate has begun on how Europe should be governed.
EU foreign policy: A necessity, not an option
01 October 2002
No one who has lived through the recent weeks of international crisis over Iraq can doubt that making a reality out of Europe's Common Foreign and Security Policy is both one of the highest priorities for the European Union and one of the most difficult tasks it faces.
Time for Mr ESDP?
01 October 2002
The EU's attempt to create a viable defence policy born of Franco British parentage at Saint Malo four years ago has, so far, made only limited progress.
Issue 26 - 2002
27 September 2002
- The case for a Europe-wide referendum , Steven Everts
- EU foreign policy: A necessity, not an option, David Hannay
- Time for Mr ESDP? , Daniel Keohane
Don't create Eastern Eurosceptics
05 August 2002
The EU is in danger of turning the east Europeans into eurosceptics, even before they join the Union. For the past decade, they have seen EU membership as about gaining a nice starry flag and a better way of life.
Issue 25 - 2002
26 July 2002
- Don't create Eastern Eurosceptics, Heather Grabbe
- New rules for capital markets, Alasdair Murray
- Reforming the commission , Alasdair Murray
Business in the Balkans: The case for cross-border co-operation
05 July 2002
The logic of the single market should be applied to the Balkans so that the region can achieve peace and economic growth. Yet this requires co-operation among people that in some cases have recently been at war.
The Benes decrees: Implications for EU enlargement
07 June 2002
This year's succession of election campaigns in Central and Eastern Europe has seen an increasing willingness on the part of right-wing populists to play up historical injustices and past hatreds to gain political advantage.
EU foreign policy: From bystander to actor
03 May 2002
If Europe’s leaders want the EU to play a meaningful role in global diplomacy, they must implement a series of fundamental reforms. At a minimum, they should abolish the rotating presidency, create a new Foreign Policy Council and give a right of initiative to the High Representative for foreign policy,...
The Barcelona scorecard: The status of economic reform in the enlarging EU
03 May 2002
Only a new 'High Representative for Economic Policy' can ensure the EU meets its 2010 target of becoming "the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world".
Shaping a credible EU foreign policy
05 February 2002
It is clear that Europe needs to pool its resources if it wants to play a greater role in the world. But progress towards a coherent and effective EU foreign policy has been slow. Steven Everts examines the reasons why – and offers an agenda for reform.
Constructive duplication: Reducing EU reliance on US military assets
04 January 2002
In 'Constructive duplication', Kori Schake asserts that the Bush administration has taken a positive approach to the European Union's attempts to develop a military capability.
Time to abolish the EU's rotating presidency
03 December 2001
The EU performance in foreign policy in the aftermath of September 11th has been underwhelming. European leaders have maintained unity on the substance of policy - a major step forward compared with the situation a decade ago.
NATO's big bang
03 December 2001
In 2002 NATO has a rare opportunity to enhance stability in Eastern Europe and build a new relationship with Russia. At the Prague summit in November, the alliance should offer membership to seven countries - Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Such a 'Big Bang' would consolidate pro-western democratic...
Such a 'Big Bang' would consolidate pro-western democratic...
A focused campaign not a crusade
01 October 2001
As America comes to terms with the massive terrorist attacks on September 11, and as it frames and implements its response, the key question for Europe is: what should its role be?
France, Germany and "hard-core" Europe
01 August 2001
In Paris, thinking on the future of the EU tends to focus on two French worries. One is the decline of the Franco-German relationship, and the consequent threat to French influence.
Time to act in the Middle East
01 June 2001
Once again the Middle East is facing a crisis with rising levels of hatred and violence on all sides. The death toll in the "second" intifadah stands at 450 Palestinians and around 100 Israelis and is rising. As a result, the prospects for a comprehensive peace accord are slipping ever further away.
EU should duplicate NATO assets
01 June 2001
Many American policy-makers are worried that the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) could undermine NATO and damage the transatlantic relationship.