Foreign policy & defence
Does the Strategic Compass herald a stronger EU in security and defence?
25 March 2022
The EU Strategic Compass sets out a realistic vision for EU security policy. It is now up to member-states to live up to their promises.
Russia's war on Ukraine: There is worse to come (for the West as well)
17 March 2022
The EU has reacted robustly to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. But it must now mitigate the economic, social and political consequences, which will hit ordinary citizens and challenge Western cohesion.
Russia-Ukraine: The West needs a sanctions strategy
10 March 2022
After the initial flurry of sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, Western leaders now need to take a more strategic approach.
Four questions on how the Russian assault on Ukraine will affect Europe
01 March 2022
CER experts provide answers on the off-ramp for Putin, Germany’s defence spending, how to deal with refugees, the internal battle over the rule of law and the impact on the EU’s neighbourhood.
Stronger sanctions on Russia: Essential, but not a strategy
25 February 2022
The West is rightly responding to Putin’s all-out attack on Ukraine’s territorial integrity with sanctions. But they need to be part of a wider strategy to ensure that he cannot win.
Could EU-endorsed 'coalitions of the willing' strengthen EU security policy?
09 February 2022
The EU could be a more effective security provider if it mandated operations by coalitions of willing member-states, but that requires consensus.
How the world has changed in 25 years: Annual report 2021
07 February 2022
The CER has been in business for about a quarter of a century – we published our first pamphlets in 1996 and opened our London office in 1998.
Bulletin issue 142 - February/March 2022
24 January 2022
- Britain needs a new Russia policy, Ian Bond, Duncan Allan
- How the Digital Markets Act will challenge consumers, Zach Meyers
- Transatlantic turmoil is not over, Megan Ferrando, Luigi Scazzieri
Britain needs a new Russia policy
24 January 2022
The British government, once naively optimistic about Russia, has become more hard-nosed in its analysis. It should now do more to pursue a coherent Russia strategy with like-minded countries.
Transatlantic turmoil is not over
24 January 2022
The US might be ‘back’, but sources of friction with Europe persist. And in 2022, Europeans should expect an inward-looking America as Biden focuses on domestic issues prior to the mid-term elections.
Is the European Peace Facility really about peace?
17 December 2021
The European Peace Facility (EPF) is a new pot of money intended to make the EU a stronger military actor in crises. But the ability to spend more will not in itself make the Union better able to resolve conflicts.
Reviving European policy towards the Western Balkans
15 December 2021
The EU sought to stabilise the Western Balkans through enlargement, but this process has now stalled.
Why the West should deter a Russian attack on Ukraine
30 November 2021
Russian forces are massing near Ukraine’s border again. Putin hopes to win concessions from Kyiv without fighting, but more concessions will not bring peace. The West should focus on deterring Russia.
An isolated China is a more dangerous China
29 November 2021
China is becoming a more difficult partner for Europe. Isolating it would only strengthen nationalist forces in Beijing, however. While standing up for its principles, Europe should help China’s outward-looking forces.
Britain and France should stand together
29 November 2021
UK-French relations are fractious across the board. The two countries must not lose sight of their common international security interests. As Europe’s pre-eminent military powers, they need each other.
Bulletin issue 141 - December 2021/January 2022
29 November 2021
- An isolated China is a more dangerous China, Pascal Lamy
- A permanent EU recovery fund can help Poland change, Elisabetta Cornago, John Springford
- Britain and France should stand together, Ian Bond
Bridging the Channel: The UK's nuclear deterrent and its role in European security
18 November 2021
The UK’s nuclear deterrent is intended to defend its NATO allies as well as itself. The UK must do a better job of persuading allies that its commitment to them is real.
Europe and the transition to a post-American Middle East
05 November 2021
The US's preoccupation with China is reducing Washington's focus on the Middle East, while Russian and Chinese influence is growing. Europeans need to step up their efforts to stabilise the region.
Bridging the Channel: How Europeans and the UK can work together on defence capability development
15 October 2021
Despite the UK's unwillingness to work with the EU on developing military capabilities, co-operation between London and its European partners need not stall.
After Afghanistan and AUKUS: What next for European defence?
07 October 2021
The US retreat from Afghanistan and the AUKUS deal have strengthened calls for greater ‘European strategic autonomy’.