European foreign policies & institutions

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.

PESCO: Paper tiger, paper tanks?

Sophia Besch
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.

Trump, Europe and the Middle East peace process: A path out of the quicksand

23 June 2017
The Middle East peace process is frozen. Rather than attempting to reach an all-or-nothing final agreement, Europe and the US should pursue an incremental approach.
Europe's NATO balancing act

Europe's NATO balancing act

Sophia Besch
24 May 2017
This week in Brussels, Europe's leaders must not only convince President Donald Trump of NATO's value, but also push for Europe's NATO priorities.

Contested space: Eastern Europe between Russia and the EU

09 March 2017
The EU's Eastern Partners are caught between the West, which excludes them from its organisations, and Russia, which tries to force them into its orbit.
The EU and Libya: Realism or irrelevance

The EU and Libya: Realism or irrelevance

03 February 2017
Europe cannot view Libya only through the lens of migration. It needs to stabilise the country, brokering a compromise between different factions.

EU defence, Brexit and Trump: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Sophia Besch
14 December 2016
Brexit and Trump compel European leaders to get serious about EU defence. But a lack of leadership and investment will make sustaining their efforts difficult.

Security of supply in EU defence: Friends in need?

Sophia Besch
17 August 2016
In its drive to establish EU-wide security of supply for the defence market, Brussels faces protectionism, a flawed notion of European strategic autonomy and mistrust among governments.
NATO, the EU and Brexit: Joining forces?

NATO, the EU and Brexit: Joining forces?

05 July 2016
NATO and the EU must work together to manage crises in Europe’s neighbourhood. The UK’s referendum vote has given them one more problem to solve.
Britain, the EU and security: Only one thing worse than fighting with allies

Britain, the EU and security: Only one thing worse than fighting with allies

21 June 2016
The threats to Britain are diverse, and shared with Europe. Responses must be equally flexible and multinational. The age of splendid isolation is not coming back.

Is the EU to blame for the crisis in Ukraine?

01 June 2016
Brexiters accuse the EU of blundering into Ukraine and provoking conflict with Russia. But Brussels’ attempt to boost trade with Ukraine cannot justify Russia’s military intervention.
An EU army?

An EU army? Four reasons it will not happen

Sophia Besch
12 May 2016
The EU army is a pipe-dream that blocks progress on Europe's defence needs. It does not reflect the realities of EU defence co-operation.

The US, Britain and the EU: Who cares?

21 April 2016
When Obama speaks out against Brexit, he will be protecting America’s interests. That does not mean that he is wrong.

About that other referendum...

Rem Korteweg
31 March 2016
The April 6th Dutch referendum on the EU’s association agreement with Ukraine comes two months before the UK’s Brexit referendum. Together, they reveal a worrying trend in European politics.
No denial: How NATO can deter a creeping Russian threat

No denial: How NATO can deter a creeping Russian threat

Rem Korteweg, Sophia Besch
09 February 2016
Russia is sowing uncertainty about its intentions on NATO's eastern borders. At the Warsaw Summit in June, NATO should take steps to strengthen its deterrence.

Cameron's security gamble: Is Brexit a strategic risk?

21 December 2015
Britain has shown its international ambitions with airstrikes in Syria and an important defence and security review. But the referendum on EU membership threatens Britain's interests.
Bulletin Issue 105 - December 2015/January 2016

Bulletin Issue 105 - December 2015/January 2016

Simon Tilford, Camino Mortera-Martinez, Rem Korteweg, Ian Bond
30 November 2015
Merkel after Paris

Merkel after Paris

Christian Odendahl, Sophia Besch
20 November 2015
Merkel's relatively open and liberal stance on refugees makes it easier for her to respond robustly to the attacks in France through security and foreign policy.
Terrorism in Paris: Aux armes, citoyens?

Terrorism in Paris: Aux armes, citoyens?

Camino Mortera-Martinez, Rem Korteweg
17 November 2015
The West should draw the right lessons from the Paris attacks. A military response to Daesh in Syria must be combined with better European intelligence co-operation.
EU foreign policy co-operation

EU foreign policy co-operation: A millstone or a multiplier for the UK?

12 October 2015
Submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee inquiry on the costs and benefits of EU membership for the UK's role in the world.
By participating actively in EU foreign policy co-operation, the UK can get 27 other countries to take co-ordinated actions aligned with British aims. It could...