Foreign policy & defence
Trump sounds the retreat: Can European defence advance?
26 June 2020
Donald Trump may not succeed in withdrawing US troops from Germany this year, but Europeans cannot assume that the Americans will stay forever.
Hand-wringing for Hong Kong: What else can the EU do?
11 June 2020
The EU should not be indifferent to what is happening in Hong Kong. China’s willingness to violate Hong Kong’s autonomy is part of a pattern of increasingly confrontational behaviour.
Bulletin issue 132 - June/July 2020
29 May 2020
- Securing Europe's medical supply chains against future shocks, Sam Lowe
- The recovery fund faces a tricky passage, Christian Odendahl, John Springford
- Trump's COVID-19 response is deepening the transatlantic rift, Luigi Scazzieri
Putin hits a bad patch
07 May 2020
Putin may have thought 2020 was going to be an excellent year for him. Instead, he has to deal with the oil price crash and COVID-19.
Gas heats up the eastern Mediterranean
23 April 2020
Disagreements over who gets to exploit gas in the eastern Mediterranean have raised tensions in the region, led to EU sanctions on Turkey, and made resolving the Libyan conflict more difficult. Much is now riding on Ankara’s next moves.
The EU's new Libya operation is flawed
08 April 2020
The EU’s new Libya operation follows years of criticism that the Union has not done enough to end the conflict.
The COVID-19 pandemic: The EU must think and act globally
27 March 2020
European leaders are naturally focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their own continent. But a global crisis demands more than local solutions; the EU should do more beyond its borders.
Turkey and the EU: Preserving transactional co-operation
26 March 2020
Despite growing tensions with Turkey on many issues, it is in the EU’s interest to renew co-operation on migration with Ankara. The Union should also try to shift the relationship in a less confrontational direction.
Can the EU's defence ambitions survive budget cuts?
26 March 2020
The proposed cuts to the EU’s defence budget will not put an end to the EU’s ambitions. But they show that, on defence, the Union is only as effective as member-states allow it to be.
Bulletin issue 131 - April/May 2020
26 March 2020
- The two economic stages of coronavirus, Christian Odendahl, John Springford
- Turkey and the EU: Preserving transactional co-operation, Luigi Scazzieri
- Can the EU's defence ambitions survive budget cuts?, Sophia Besch
Will courting Putin always end in tears?
03 March 2020
Putin is good at persuading Western leaders that bad relations with Russia are their fault. They should defend their interests better, but also keep talking to Russia.
Can Europe overcome its paralysis on Israel and Palestine?
26 February 2020
Despite Trump, the EU can still play a leading role in promoting a just resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. To influence, the Union will need to go beyond statements.
Is the time ripe for the EU to rethink its relations with Belarus?
24 February 2020
The EU’s policy towards Belarus has been unambitious. Although Moscow’s recent push for Belarus-Russia integration may open new opportunities for EU engagement, rewards may be slow to appear.
Can France and Germany steer Europe to success? Annual report 2019
06 February 2020
The CER's annual report features an essay on the state Franco-German friendship. It also describes some of the CER’s achievements in 2019, including the increasingly prominent role played by our Brussels and Berlin offices.
The EU and US must work together to end the siege of Tripoli
30 January 2020
The conflict in Libya is spiralling out of control despite the recent Berlin conference. Europeans need to work with the US to pressure regional powers to stop fuelling fighting.
UK foreign and security policy after Brexit
27 January 2020
Since the 19th century, Britain has seen alliances as temporary and interests as permanent. But Brexit will dissolve a partnership, while simultaneously harming the UK’s domestic and external security interests.
Will the Normandy Four summit bring "peace for our time" to Ukraine?
05 December 2019
The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany will meet in Paris on December 9th to discuss how to end the Donbas conflict. But this summit brings both opportunities and risks.
Defence without direction
28 November 2019
The EU is strengthening its defence capabilities, but Europeans risk losing sight of how they want to use them.
Bulletin issue 129 - December 2019/January 2020
28 November 2019
- How should the EU 'get Brexit done'?, Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska
- How economically damaging will Brexit be?, John Springford
- Defence without direction, Sophia Besch
Towards a European Security Council?
27 November 2019
France and Germany have discussed forming a ‘European Security Council’ to strengthen European foreign policy and co-ordinate closely with the UK after Brexit. While it could make Europe stronger, it may also prove divisive.