Foreign policy & defence
Annual report 2014
02 February 2015
Charles Grant discusses three challenges facing the EU in 2015: the combined problems of Russia and Ukraine; the continuing fragility of the eurozone; and the growing risk of Brexit.
Mogherini's mission: Four steps to make EU foreign policy more strategic
19 January 2015
EU foreign policy can become more strategic with bureaucratic changes, a new security strategy and more committed capitals.
EU-Israel relations: Confrontation or co-operation?
18 December 2014
The EU’s decision to get tougher on Israel’s settlements can damage beneficial co-operation. Steps can be taken in order to manage these tensions.
Ukraine after the elections: Democracy and the barrel of a gun
27 November 2014
Ukraine’s elections were good news, but there is plenty of bad: political, economic and military.
Issue 99 - 2014
27 November 2014
- Ukraine after the elections: Democracy and the barrel of a gun, Ian Bond
- What should an energy union cover?, Nick Butler
- Free movement: Why Britain does not need to change the rules, Camino Mortera-Martinez
Hungary and the West: We need to talk about Viktor
26 November 2014
Hungary under Viktor Orban is backsliding on democratic values. Member-states need to look for ways to bring Orban back into liberal European mainstream.
Iran nuclear talks: Patience is a virtue
13 November 2014
The EU and US should extend the nuclear negotiations with Iran. The falling oil price could pressure Tehran to compromise.
Ukraine, Russia and the EU
30 September 2014
So long as Ukraine’s state and economy remain weak, Russia may be tempted into making further incursions. The West must therefore help to strengthen the country.
No easy choices: Realpolitik in Mesopotamia
26 September 2014
To fight ISIS, the West will have to engage with its friends in the region, and its foes.
Issue 98 - 2014
26 September 2014
- Juncker and his college: The unexpected reformer?, Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska
- How to pull the eurozone out of the mire, Christian Odendahl, John Springford
- No easy choices: Realpolitik in Mesopotamia, Rem Korteweg
The challenge to the West: Restoring European deterrence
03 September 2014
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, deterrence in Europe has broken down. The EU and NATO must show resolve if they are to restore it.
Learning from Herman: A handbook for the European Council president
21 August 2014
Van Rompuy needs to forge a consensus on his successor. He should look in the mirror and seek a candidate with his own best characteristics.
Dealing with Russia: Law, jaw and war
08 August 2014
The EU should be ready to take more steps against Russia, and help defend Ukraine – but also talk directly to Putin to try to change his mind.
EU enlargement
31 July 2014
A number of member-states are unenthusiastic about further EU enlargement, but has the EU grown as much as it is going to?
Three things for NATO to think about
29 July 2014
NATO’s summit in September should decide what to do, with whom and how. Russia’s new-style warfare in Ukraine should make the alliance think.
Issue 97 - 2014
29 July 2014
- An open letter to David Cameron, Charles Grant
- Three things for NATO to think about, Ian Bond
- The banking union alone cannot bring recovery, Christian Odendahl
A presence farther east: Can Europe play a strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region?
25 July 2014
Europe should increase its role to promote East Asian security. Its economic interests, transatlantic ties and relations with Asian partners are in jeopardy.
The eurozone is no place for poor countries
27 June 2014
The gap between the eurozone’s richer and poorer members is as wide as in 1999 and is growing. Poorer prospective members should take note.
Will Europe scratch Japan's back?
06 June 2014
Japan is drawing parallels between Russian and Chinese power politics. Tokyo supports European interests in Ukraine and elsewhere, but will Europe help Japan in its neighbourhood?
Issue 96 - 2014
06 June 2014
- Business as usual is not acceptable, Charles Grant
- The eurozone economy needs a kick-start, Christian Odendahl, Simon Tilford
- Will Europe scratch Japan's back?, Rem Korteweg