Publications

  • The EU's toolbox for Russia
    The EU's toolbox for Russia
    Insight by Katinka Barysch
    15 September 2008

    Last week, Russia belatedly signed up to a timetable for pulling back its troops from the ‘buffer’ zone in Georgia. The EU, and its current president, Nicolas Sarkozy, deserve credit for having brokered the initial ceasefire and then pushing hard for Russia to follow the terms.
  • The Arab-Israeli conflict: France's dashed hopes
    The Arab-Israeli conflict: France's dashed hopes
    03 September 2008

    During a trip to Israel in August, the only optimists I met were French diplomats. The reason for their upbeat mood? Ambitious plans by President Sarkozy for the EU to advance the Middle East peace process – including a controversial proposal that the EU should take the lead in creating an international peacekeeping force which could replace the Israeli army in the West Bank as part of a peace deal.
  • What does the war in Georgia mean for EU foreign policy?
    What does the war in Georgia mean for EU foreign policy?
    Briefing note by Tomas Valasek
    15 August 2008

    The war in Georgia divided the European Union instead of uniting it. Some member-states condemned Russia and gave (non-military) aid to the Georgian government; others accused Tbilisi of provoking the war.

  • Farewell, Polish plumber
    Farewell, Polish plumber
    Insight by Philip Whyte
    07 August 2008

    When the EU expanded its membership in 2004, the UK was one of only three EU countries – Ireland and Sweden were the others – fully to open its borders to migrants from the ten new member states.
  • Should Europeans care about Doha?
    Should Europeans care about Doha?
    Insight by Katinka Barysch
    30 July 2008

    Are the Doha trade talks finally dead? Following the failure of the latest ministerial meeting in Geneva on July 29th, there will be little appetite for another big push to resolve disputes over farm subsidies and manufacturing tariffs.
  • Bulletin issue 61
    Issue 61 August/September 2008
    25 July 2008
  • The EU will want more from Serbia than arrests
    The EU will want more from Serbia than arrests
    Insight by Tomas Valasek
    25 July 2008

    On July 21st 2008, Serbian security agents hauled Radovan Karadzic off a bus in Belgrade and took him into custody. The long-wanted wartime leader of the Bosnian Serbs now awaits extradition to the International War Crimes Tribunal (ICTY) in The Hague, where he stands accused of crimes against humanity for his role in the 1992-95 Bosnia war.
  • Ukraine needs new politicians
    Ukraine needs new politicians
    Insight by Charles Grant
    22 July 2008

    Ukraine is heading for an economic crash. At least that was the message I picked up in the Crimean resort of Yalta earlier this month, at the 'Yalta European Strategy' conference.