Research

Can the EU help Belarus to guard its independence?

Can the EU help Belarus to guard its independence?

03 April 2014
The annexation of Crimea has made Belarus nervous. It plans to join Russia's Eurasian Economic Union - but also hopes for closer ties to the EU‎.
Europe and Russia: Continental divide?

Europe and Russia: Continental divide?

01 April 2014
In annexing Crimea, Putin has violated a taboo. The West should respond by deterring further adventurism, reinforcing regional security and encouraging change in Russia.
Poland and Ukraine: A tale of two economies

Poland and Ukraine: A tale of two economies

Simon Tilford
31 March 2014
The EU finally needs to fulfil its moral obligation to Ukraine: to treat it like any other sovereign country trying to escape Russia's grasp.
Who will run Europe?

Who will run Europe?

31 March 2014
EU leaders will soon decide who will run the club's institutions. They should choose heavyweights who can deliver far-reaching reforms.
Human rights and policy wrongs

Human rights and policy wrongs

31 March 2014
British politicians love to criticise the European Convention on Human Rights. A closer look would show them that they should praise it, not bury it.
Why Cameron's timing on EU reform is off

Why Cameron's timing on EU reform is off

Rem Korteweg
26 March 2014
Cameron may face an EU reform deal when the new Commission takes office later this year, threatening his renegotiation strategy.
The eurozone's ruinous embrace of 'competitive devaluation'

The eurozone's ruinous embrace of 'competitive devaluation'

Simon Tilford
10 March 2014
Instead of being criticised for pursuing competitive devaluations, eurozone countries that manage to devalue their real exchange rates are extolled as an example for others.
French federalists propose a Euro Community

French federalists propose a Euro Community

03 March 2014
A group of French thinkers wants to establish a federal 'Euro Community'. Their scheme could harm the single market and make Britain's position in the EU uncomfortable.
Ukraine after Yanukovych: Dropping the pirate?

Ukraine after Yanukovych: Dropping the pirate?

28 February 2014
President Yanukovych has gone but Ukraine's problems have not. Russia and the EU can help; but Ukrainians themselves need to undertake difficult reforms.
Sherlock and the European catastrophe

Sherlock and the European catastrophe

Hugo Brady
20 February 2014
The prime minister takes advice on his European policy from an unusual source on the eve of a British referendum.
Annual report 2013

Annual report 2013

10 February 2014
Charles Grant discusses the challenges facing the EU in 2014, such as the European elections, Britain's slide towards the exit and the continuing travails of the eurozone.
What explains Europe's rejection of macroeconomic orthodoxy?

What explains Europe's rejection of macroeconomic orthodoxy?

Simon Tilford
05 February 2014
European policy-makers' rejection of both Keynesianism and monetarism has cut economic growth, raised debt and increased the risk of deflation.
Why Europe should broaden its horizons in the Sahel

Why Europe should broaden its horizons in the Sahel

Rem Korteweg
27 January 2014
The Sahel stretches from the Atlantic to the Red Sea, touching on 13 countries from Senegal to Eritrea. Turmoil is spreading across the region, putting European security interests at risk, yet Brussels is scrambling to respond.
Britain's populist arms race over immigration

Britain's populist arms race over immigration

John Springford, Simon Tilford
27 January 2014
Britain's immigration debate is damaging the country's economic and political interests. It will also make it harder for David Cameron to renegotiate the terms of Britain's EU membership in a way that satisfies Tory eurosceptics.
EU-Russia relations: Partnership on ice?

EU-Russia relations: Partnership on ice?

27 January 2014
The EU and Russia hold too many unproductive summits. The EU should defend its interests, instead of pretending that it has a partnership with Russia.
The Great British trade-off: The impact of leaving the EU on the UK’s trade and

The Great British trade-off: The impact of leaving the EU on the UK's trade and investment

John Springford, Simon Tilford
20 January 2014
Eurosceptics think Britain can leave the EU and still have access to its markets. But to do so, Britain will have to sign up to EU rules. 
Climate policies are more important than targets

Climate policies are more important than targets

Stephen Tindale
17 January 2014
The EU should set ambitious 2030 targets for carbon reduction and renewables. And it should adopt strong binding measures on energy efficiency.
The EU and defence procurement

The EU and defence procurement

15 January 2014
Against a background of falling European defence budgets, the European Commission has sought to increase the efficiency of the European defence market by reducing barriers to intra-EU defence trade and by encouraging competition.