Foreign policy & defence

Error message

Notice: Trying to get property 'vocabulary_machine_name' of non-object in _cer_topics_taxonomy_term_page_view() (line 104 of /var/www/vhosts/cer_live/site/sites/all/modules/custom/cer_topics/cer_topics.module).

The EU and Turkey after the elections: The start of a new chapter?

29 March 2023
Whatever the outcome of the elections, Turkey and the EU will have shared challenges to address. But the result will define the likely balance between co-operation and confrontation for years.

A year of war in Europe: The balance sheet

22 February 2023
Since Russia attacked Ukraine, the CER has tracked the war’s effect on the protagonists, the EU, NATO and other powers. What conclusions can be drawn from the past year?
Finland should prepare to join NATO on its own

Finland should prepare to join NATO on its own

Helmi Pillai
16 February 2023
Last month, Turkey threatened to block Sweden’s NATO membership, while indicating its support for Finland’s accession to the alliance. If Turkey continues to block Swedish membership, Finland should join NATO alone. 

The impact of the war in Ukraine: Annual report 2022

10 February 2023
The CER's annual report starts with an essay on how the war in Ukraine is changing Europe. The report then highlights some of the CER's most important publications and events from 2022.
Europe and the Iran nuclear threat

Europe and the Iran nuclear threat

06 February 2023
Efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have stalled and Tehran is closer than ever to having nuclear weapons. Europe needs a new strategy.
Germany, Russia and Ukraine: From 'Turning Point' to missing the point

Germany, Russia and Ukraine: From 'Turning Point' to missing the point

27 January 2023
Germany’s slowness in authorising the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine was bad news for Ukraine, European security and Germany itself. But other Western leaders should not be too smug.
Is European defence missing its moment?

Is European defence missing its moment?

16 January 2023
European defence budgets are increasing in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine. But if member-states don’t co-ordinate their spending better, fragmentation will persist and Europe’s defence industry could weaken.
A new era of Finnish foreign policy begins

A new era of Finnish foreign policy begins

Helmi Pillai
19 December 2022
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to unprecedented changes to Finnish foreign policy. Applying for NATO membership should only be the beginning. 
China and Russia: Are there limits to 'no limits' friendship?

China and Russia: Are there limits to 'no limits' friendship?

15 December 2022
China has mostly offered Russia rhetorical support in its war against Ukraine. Beijing seems uncomfortable with Putin’s nuclear sabre-rattling. But China is unlikely to allow Russia to be decisively defeated.

Now is not the time for Ukraine to negotiate

01 December 2022
Various Western figures are encouraging Ukraine to begin peace negotiations with Russia. But a ceasefire now would leave Ukraine vulnerable to a renewed Russian attack. Ukraine needs weapons, not wavering.
Europe's migration problems are back

Europe's migration problems are back

24 November 2022
The migration spat between France and Italy is a reminder that EU migration politics continue to be toxic, and that Europe’s common migration and asylum system remains incomplete.
Can EU enlargement gain momentum?

Can EU enlargement gain momentum?

03 November 2022
The war in Ukraine reinvigorated EU enlargement, but recent momentum will be hard to maintain. The Union should increase support for candidates and further develop ways to integrate them before membership.

The new US National Security Strategy: Battling China for technological leadership

Carl Bildt
24 October 2022
Despite the gravity of the war in Ukraine, the focus of the new US National Security Strategy is China.

A world of troubles for Liz Truss

29 September 2022
The new prime minister faces huge foreign policy challenges. She needs to choose her friends, her enemies and her policies carefully. 
State of the Union: Seven months into Putin's war

State of the Union: Seven months into Putin's war

Camino Mortera-Martinez
28 September 2022
Ursula von der Leyen has managed to keep the EU together so far. The coming months will test this unity. 

Europe should not forget the challenges to its south

22 September 2022
Europeans are rightly focusing on the war in Ukraine, but they should not think they can insulate themselves from what happens to their south.

The EU, NATO and European security in a time of war

05 August 2022
Russia is not the only threat to European security. NATO remains essential for deterrence and defence, but the EU must also play a bigger security role.

Using sanctioned Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine will not be easy

Camino Mortera-Martinez, Zach Meyers
03 August 2022
Funding Ukraine’s reconstruction with confiscated assets from Russian elites will be legally complex. Seizing Russia’s frozen foreign reserves may prove easier.