Research
Transatlantic relations after Bush
01 October 2007
Answer this: which US president bombed Iraq, attacked Afghanistan, and started a war without UN Security Council approval? Here is a hint: the same president, explaining why he launched the strike on Iraq, said: “Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbours or the world with nuclear arms,...
What should Europe do about sovereign wealth funds?
01 October 2007
Several EU governments have become alarmed about sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). Germany, for example, is thinking of preventing such funds from buying local companies in sensitive sectors.
Yes to a referendum, but not on this treaty
01 October 2007
Britain is divided over the EU’s new Reform Treaty. The eurosceptic lobby is ratcheting up a well-funded, media-savvy campaign to pressure the government into holding a referendum on the treaty.
Issue 56 - 2007
28 September 2007
- What should Europe do about sovereign wealth funds?, Katinka Barysch, Philip Whyte
- Yes to a referendum, but not on this treaty, Hugo Brady
- Transatlantic relations after Bush, Kori Schake
What Europeans think about Turkey and why
25 September 2007
Surveys show that a majority of EU citizens are against Turkish membership. This matters since France, Austria and probably other countries too will hold a referendum on Turkish accession.
Middle ground missing in Middle East?
21 September 2007
Over the last few weeks,Tony Blair, Javier Solana and Bernard Kouchner have been there; this week Condoleezza Rice has done so – as, for that matter, has Madonna.
The Microsoft appeal: The Commission was right
13 September 2007
On September 17th the European Union’s Court of First Appeal will rule on Microsoft’s long-awaited appeal against the record fine imposed on the company by the Commission in 2004 for abusing its dominant position in computer operating systems.
Sarkozy on America and the world
29 August 2007
In his first 100 days in the office, Nicolas Sarkozy turned France’s domestic political scene on its head. He trounced and marginalised the far-right National Front in the May presidential elections.
Poland’s poll and the EU treaty
24 August 2007
Poland’s early election may coincide with the last days of talks on the new EU Reform Treaty. Although the Kaczynskis are unlikely to reopen a deal agreed in June on the treaty's content, last minute political posturing for a home audience could delay the text being signed off.
Europe in the US-UK special relationship
02 August 2007
Gordon Brown scarcely mentioned Europe during his visit to the United States, certainly much less than Tony Blair used to. That is understandable.
The EU should talk to Hamas
01 August 2007
In Britain, senior diplomats are mulling over whether to revise the government’s policy of not talking to Hamas. Until now Britain has staunchly defended the EU policy of opposing talks with Hamas. That policy, shared by the other members of the ‘quartet’ – the UN, the US and Russia...
Re-imagining EU development aid
01 August 2007
Imagine the Berlaymont late at night. A full moon hangs in the sky. High up in the building, an office lamp still shines. It illuminates four people. They are sprawled comfortably in armchairs for an intimate conversation. The four lead the EU on international affairs.
Reciprocity will not secure Europe’s energy
01 August 2007
As Moscow growls angrily at the West, Europeans are becoming more worried about their energy supplies. Will Russia be willing to sell us the gas we need to heat our houses and power our industries? Will it be able to?
Issue 55 - 2007
27 July 2007
- The EU should talk to Hamas, Charles Grant, Clara Marina O'Donnell
- Re-imagining EU development aid, Simon Maxwell
- Reciprocity will not secure Europe’s energy , Katinka Barysch
Where next for Turkey?
24 July 2007
Some of Turkey’s critics say that it has no place in the EU because it is not a European country. Others criticise the quality of its democracy.
Russia, realism and EU unity
20 July 2007
The Litvinenko murder case is only one of a growing number of disputes between the Kremlin and EU countries. But the EU has been slow to reassess its relations with a more autocratic and assertive Russia. Divisions within the EU have not helped.
Of mice, men and the language of EU reform
18 July 2007
Beware the humourless, especially in politics. At a CER/Clifford Chance conference last week, Guiliano Amato, Italy’s interior minister, pronounced that the Reform Treaty was a return to familiar territory for the EU: an unreadable treaty.
The EU should talk to Hamas
11 July 2007
The conspicuous role of Hamas in the recent release of Alan Johnston was not only good news for the BBC correspondent. Hamas showed that it cares about how it is perceived abroad, that it wants to be considered a credible actor, and that it hopes to end its international isolation.
Portugal's presidency
09 July 2007
On 1 July 2007, Portugal took over the EU's rotating presidency from Germany. Angela Merkel's six months at the helm will be a tough act to follow.
Why Europeans don’t have babies
29 June 2007
Europeans live longer, work less and have fewer babies. On current trends, the EU will not have enough workers to pay for its growing number of pensioners.