Research
PESCO: Paper tiger, paper tanks?
29 November 2017
For PESCO to become more than another EU defence paper tiger, it must develop effective assessment mechanisms and deliver on filling European capability gaps.
All is not well in the Visegrad economies
29 November 2017
On the face of it the Visegrad – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – appear to be doing quite well economically. But there are problems behind the headline growth figures.
A new deal for the eurozone: Remedy or placebo?
24 November 2017
The eurozone is finally witnessing an economic upturn but if it fails to win back the support of disaffected citizens, the bloc could face an existential crisis.
Can EU funds promote the rule of law in Europe?
21 November 2017
The EU is a values-based organisation, yet it does not insist that member-states respect its values in order to receive EU funds. That should change.
Dig for Victory?
16 November 2017
A UK trade deal with the US will create more problems for British agriculture and food consumers than it would solve.
Trump's trade policy: Separating the normal from the dangerous
10 November 2017
Some of Trump's trade actions are traditionally American. Others threaten the future of the World Trade Organisation. Europeans should look past his insults and prepare a response.
Relaunching the EU
07 November 2017
The EU is ripe for fundamental reform. New policies are needed for migration and the euro. The EU also needs more flexible structures so that countries can opt in and out of key policies.
How the EU and third countries can manage migration
01 November 2017
The EU's response to migrants crossing the Mediterranean is shifting from internal reforms to deals with countries in Africa and Asia. This approach has potential pitfalls and upsides.
Populism – culture or economics?
30 October 2017
Are economic factors to blame for the rise of populism, or is it a cultural backlash? The answer is a bit of both: economic weakness strengthens social conservatives' illiberal views.
Turkey and the EU: No end to the drift
16 October 2017
Turkey's slide away from the West encompasses both values and foreign policy. But if the EU ended the accession negotiations without an alternative in place, it would only worsen the problem.
EU enlargement: Door half open or door half shut?
09 October 2017
EU enlargement has spread peace and prosperity, but it has now stalled. The EU should keep the door open, and prepare countries for coming inside.
Crunch time in Catalonia: Why Spain needs a constitutional overhaul
04 October 2017
Catalonia's illegal referendum has resulted in a constitutional crisis in Spain. Madrid needs to urgently revise the country's model of regional government.
How the ECB should respond to a German fiscal boost
26 September 2017
A German stimulus has the potential to help the eurozone economy. But how the ECB reacts is key.
Brexit and energy: Time to make some hard choices
25 September 2017
If Britain quits the EU’s single energy market, it will have to invest more in electricity generation, pay higher prices and accept a bigger state role in the energy sector.
Is the eurozone really out of the woods?
22 September 2017
Can the eurozone avoid another crisis without further significant reforms? Much will depend on the longevity of the current upturn and the depth of the next downturn.
How strong a Brexit card is Britain's money?
19 September 2017
Britain’s strongest card in the negotiations is the money that the 27 claim it owes to the EU. But the money card gives Britain a pair rather than a flush.
The EU will become less monolithic
19 September 2017
The EU is becoming less monolithic and will develop tiers of membership. This could re-energise the enlargement process and neighbourhood policy – and may allow the UK to re-engage one day.
Can the world live with North Korea's bomb?
19 September 2017
The world should stop pretending that North Korea will give up its nuclear weapons, and focus on minimising the risks of further proliferation and of accidental or deliberate conflict.
Bulletin Issue 116 - October/November 2017
19 September 2017
- How strong a Brexit card is Britain's money?, John Springford
- The EU will become less monolithic, Charles Grant
- Can the world live with North Korea's bomb?, Ian Bond
How the West can contain - and end - the conflict in Ukraine
15 September 2017
New US sanctions on Russia prevent a backroom Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine, but they also threaten Western unity. They should prompt the EU to re-invigorate the Minsk agreement.