The geopolitical EU
The EU's neighbourhood is increasingly unstable: Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine is continuing, while the Israel-Hamas conflict is destabilising many of Europe's southern neighbours and forcing Europeans to look south as well as east. Great power competition between China and the US is intensifying and fragmenting the global economy, while climate change poses ever-growing economic, social and geopolitical challenges. How can the EU navigate the increasingly threatening strategic environment it faces?
Schengen reloaded
11 November 2019
The EU's Schengen borderless area is popular, but has been challenged by the migration crisis and terrorism. It needs updating, but not a complete reset.
The EU budget needs climate-proofing
04 November 2019
Greenhouse gas emissions from Europe’s farms have been flat since 2005. The Common Agricultural Policy, which consumes 37 per cent of the EU’s budget, subsidises a sector that needs to clean up its act.
The EU should reconsider its approach to trade and sustainable development
31 October 2019
In specific circumstances, the EU should make trade concessions contingent on partner countries meeting international environmental and labour standards.
One step closer to a rupture: Europe, the US and Turkey
17 October 2019
Turkey’s relations with the EU and US are in freefall after its new offensive in northern Syria. The EU should do what it can to avoid a broader rupture between Ankara and the West.
Can Josep Borrell get EU foreign policy off the ground?
30 September 2019
The EU’s new foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, may struggle to co-ordinate the Union’s external activities in the face of rival European commissioners and unruly member-states.
Christine Lagarde must get ready to fight on two fronts
30 September 2019
As Christine Lagarde takes over the presidency of the ECB, she has little room to ease monetary policy. She will need to convince northern European fiscal policy-makers to help.
Choppy waters ahead for EU trade policy
30 September 2019
The strategic case for new EU free trade agreements is strong. But delivering them requires accommodating the European Parliament and winning over an inwardly focused agriculture lobby.
Should the EU tax imported CO2?
24 September 2019
An EU carbon border tax would be tricky to design, costly to implement and sure to provoke legal challenges. But if done properly there are reasons to think it could succeed.
Moving back the finishing line: The EU's progress on climate
23 September 2019
European leaders’ aim to go carbon neutral by 2050 will not happen without much tougher emissions curbs by 2030, and a sizeable increase in research and development funding.
Up in arms: Warring over Europe's arms export regime
10 September 2019
The European Union's poorly co-ordinated arms export policy is undermining Europe's foreign policy, credibility as a principled power and defence industry. The EU should take steps to move towards convergence.
The EU should seize the chance to stop Italy's eurosceptic drift
05 September 2019
Italy’s new coalition government between the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party is good news for Europe. But a resurgence of the League is likely unless Europe helps Italy in a visible manner.
Will the 'Servant of the People' be the master of Ukraine?
31 July 2019
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, now has a parliamentary majority behind him. The West can help to ensure he uses it to enact much-needed reforms.
The EU, the US and the Middle East Peace Process: Two-state solution – or dissolution?
11 July 2019
Jared Kushner's economic plan for the Palestinians will erode the two-state solution. By easing tensions, the EU can preserve it. But Europe can no longer afford to be passive.
A troubled partnership: The US and Europe in the Middle East
10 July 2019
Trump's policies towards the Middle East have led to a serious transatlantic rift, particularly over Iran. To secure its interests in the region, Europe will need to shake off its passivity.
Now is the worst time for 'global Britain'
27 June 2019
Global trade integration has stalled since the financial crisis, and is unlikely to pick up steam any time soon. In that context, plans for ‘global Britain’ will do little to offset the costs of Brexit.
Huawei, my way or the highway: Which way should the EU turn?
18 June 2019
The EU and US both worry about China’s industrial espionage and unfair competition. But the US risks creating needless confrontation if it coerces Europeans into banning Huawei from 5G networks.
Competition policy in the 21st century: Size isn't everything
04 June 2019
France and Germany have proposed laxer EU merger control to help European companies compete with Chinese firms. But competition has been waning within the EU, and stronger merger rules may be needed.
Germany should not run the ECB
23 May 2019
If Jens Weidmann became president of the European Central Bank (ECB), it would be more difficult to fight the next recession and prevent future crises.
The big European sort? The diverging fortunes of Europe's regions
08 May 2019
Over the last 15 years, graduate workers and high-value services and technology firms have been clustering together in Europe’s most successful cities. This process may widen Europe’s political fault-lines in the future.
Catch me if you can: The European Arrest Warrant and the end of mutual trust
01 April 2019
EU countries trust each other less than they used to, making them less willing to co-operate.