Foreign policy & defence
EU has little choice but to try to keep the Iran deal alive
11 May 2018
The EU is unlikely to risk a major confrontation with the US over the Iran deal. But even small steps can help buy time and preserve the deal.
Has the last trump sounded for the transatlantic partnership?
04 May 2018
European leaders cannot take transatlantic partnership for granted in the Donald Trump era. They need to shore up support on both sides of the Atlantic.
A hitchhiker's guide to Galileo and Brexit
03 May 2018
The debate between the UK and the EU over British participation in the EU’s space programme ‘Galileo’ shows how difficult it will be to disentangle economic and security interests during Brexit negotiations.
Plugging in the British: EU defence policy
26 April 2018
Both Britain and the EU would benefit from working together to keep Europe safe, even after Brexit. But economic protectionism and a desire for autonomy may get in the way.
No shock in Russian election: But can Europe surprise Putin?
26 March 2018
After his re-election, the West is more likely to face Putin the aggressive nationalist than Putin the economic reformer. It should respond firmly.
Bulletin Issue 119 - April/May 2018
22 March 2018
- The member-states and the EU: Taking back control?, Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska
- British foreign policy after Brexit: Hand in hand?, Ian Bond
- Europe's cyber problem, Camino Mortera-Martinez
Plugging in the British: EU foreign policy
06 March 2018
As part of the EU, the UK has been able to leverage the resources of other member-states to support Britain’s foreign and development priorities. After Brexit, that will be harder.
The fight for liberal values: Annual report 2017
06 February 2018
The CER's annual report features essays on the creation of the CER, the CER at 20, Brexit, economics and Donald Trump's impact on geopolitics, it also highlights some of our work on foreign and defence policy.
Bulletin Issue 118 - February/March 2018
22 January 2018
- Poland’s prime minister: New face, same old tune?, Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska
- Holding out hope for a half-way Brexit house, John Springford, Sam Lowe
- From 14 points to 280 characters: Trump vs Wilson, Ian Bond
From 14 points to 280 characters: Trump vs Wilson
22 January 2018
Woodrow Wilson's 14 points of January 1918 were the first sketch of the liberal, rules-based international order. A century later, Donald Trump risks demolishing the edifice.
Nord Stream 2: More hot air than gas?
12 January 2018
Some EU member-states see the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as Russia’s latest anti-European weapon. But even if they are right, the threat can be mitigated.
Trump and the Iran deal: Not yet the nuclear option?
13 December 2017
Trump has placed the international nuclear agreement with Iran in jeopardy. The EU should try to save the deal, but be prepared in case it fails.
PESCO: Paper tiger, paper tanks?
29 November 2017
For PESCO to become more than another EU defence paper tiger, it must develop effective assessment mechanisms and deliver on filling European capability gaps.
Bulletin Issue 117 - December 2017/January 2018
29 November 2017
- Ten predictions for the Brexit talks, Charles Grant
- All is not well in the Visegrad economies, Simon Tilford
- PESCO: Paper tiger, paper tanks?, Sophia Besch
Trump's trade policy: Separating the normal from the dangerous
10 November 2017
Some of Trump's trade actions are traditionally American. Others threaten the future of the World Trade Organisation. Europeans should look past his insults and prepare a response.
Relaunching the EU
07 November 2017
The EU is ripe for fundamental reform. New policies are needed for migration and the euro. The EU also needs more flexible structures so that countries can opt in and out of key policies.
EU enlargement: Door half open or door half shut?
09 October 2017
EU enlargement has spread peace and prosperity, but it has now stalled. The EU should keep the door open, and prepare countries for coming inside.
Can the world live with North Korea's bomb?
19 September 2017
The world should stop pretending that North Korea will give up its nuclear weapons, and focus on minimising the risks of further proliferation and of accidental or deliberate conflict.
How the West can contain - and end - the conflict in Ukraine
15 September 2017
New US sanctions on Russia prevent a backroom Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine, but they also threaten Western unity. They should prompt the EU to re-invigorate the Minsk agreement.
European policy in Asia: Getting past mercatorism and mercantilism
07 September 2017
Asia is a dangerous place, and closer to Europe than most Europeans think. They cannot leave Trump's America to tackle all Asia's security problems.