Defence policy
French warship to spearhead European mission in Gulf from next year
A European operation to ensure safe shipping in the Gulf region, scene of attacks on merchant vessels this year, will get underway next month when a French warship starts patrolling there, a French armed forces spokeswoman said on Thursday (19 December).
Amid NATO tensions, Estonian President highlights Russia risk
NATO should be ready to defend Estonia should the country face risks emanating from its neighbour Russia, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid has told EURACTIV. Her comments came following French President Macron's recent claim that the alliance is 'brain dead.'
Russia’s EU ambassador: The fall of the Berlin Wall was ‘a victory of common sense’
In a wide-ranging interview, Russia’s Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov spoke about gas transit talks with Ukraine, NATO and EU enlargement, nuclear arms control, Russia’s sales of the S-400 anti-aircraft system, the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and Brexit.
Despite ‘wonderful’ meeting, Trump and Erdogan fail to resolve conflicts
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (13 November) pushed Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan to walk away from the purchase of a Russian missile defence system, calling it a “very serious challenge” to bilateral ties, even though he described a meeting between the two leaders as “wonderful.”
Turkey’s incursion into Syria is making the EU and Kurds rethink their friends
The EU may condemn Turkey’s military incursion into Syria, yet it also has Turkey to thank for holding back the migrant crisis. Publicly, Europe wants to send a message. Privately, it knows it cannot say too much, writes Faisal Al Yafai.
Poland’s double-game on defence matters
Poland's decision to buy American F-35 aircraft sounds like Warsaw snubbing European projects. However, the EU member state, is also in breach of its commitments, writes Nicholas Gros-Verheyde.
An EU agenda for climate security
Responding to the unprecedented challenge posed by climate change will require all actors – including the defence and security community – to step outside their comfort zone, writes Luca Bergamaschi.
Gulf crisis is testing a new generation of European leaders
A new generation of EU leaders is grappling with the shipping crisis in the Arabian Gulf in a way that could determine the future military posture of individual countries, and perhaps even of the European Union, writes Faisal Al Yafai.
Watad: The oil company that came from nowhere and became a key player in Syria
Life in rebel-held northwest Syria has, without a doubt, been made easier by Watad Petroleum’s presence. But with no information available publicly about who owns or runs it, there is a persistent suspicion about it, writes Haid Haid.
London to host 70th anniversary NATO summit
The next NATO summit will be held in London in December, marking the alliance's 70th anniversary, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday (22 May).
Iran and the US are inching toward war
There can be little doubt now that Iran and the US are inching toward full-scale war. All attempts by either to force a change in the other’s behavior have come to nothing. Conflict now seems inevitable, writes Dnyanesh Kamat.
Mogherini’s tarnished legacy
Paradoxically it was the EU’s closest partner, the United States, that has done most to damage Federica Mogherini's legacy as High Representative with a full-scale assault on the EU’s commitment to multilateralism, writes Fraser Cameron.
Five paradoxes EU must address to effectively respond to crises beyond its borders
There are five paradoxes the EU must address to effectively respond to crises and conflicts beyond its borders, argues Bård Drange.
After Putin’s warning, Russian TV lists nuclear targets in US
Russian state television has listed US military facilities that Moscow would target in the event of a nuclear strike, and said that a hypersonic missile Russia is developing would be able to hit them in less than five minutes.
Greening the EU’s foreign and security policy
Climate change and ecosystem degradation are significant security threats; the European Union should take urgent action to address these as a part of its foreign and security policy, write Johanna Nyman and Marianne Kettunen.
An opportunity for transatlantic unity on Iran
This week marks the 40th anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the Shah in Iran and created the Islamic Republic. It is a good time to review the position of the European Union and its member states towards this totalitarian theocracy, argues Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
Europeans open new trade channel to Iran, bypassing US sanctions
Britain, France and Germany on Thursday (31 January) launched a trade mechanism to bypass US sanctions on Iran, drawing praise from Tehran – and a warning from Washington.
The EU’s moment: Cast adrift by the US, threatened by Russia and China
Against a backdrop of US decline and an influential China and Russia, Europe must overcome its internal challenges and shoulder its responsibilities as a leader on the world stage, writes Robert Malley.OpinionPromoted content
Transatlantic defence industrial cooperation matters more than ever
2019 marks the 70th birthday of NATO, the most successful defensive alliance in history. But new threats are appearing and collaboration among allies remains essential, writes Chris Lombardi.
Macron: ‘More sovereignty’ for Europe needed to prevent global ‘chaos’
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (18 December) urged a Franco-German push to make Europe a stronger and more confident global player that could prevent "chaos" on the world stage.
In Strasbourg, Merkel brings European army one step further
In an eagerly awaited speech on the future of Europe before what she called 'the biggest democratic parliament of the world', German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Tuesday (13 November) for a "real, true European army" and a common asylum framework.
Djibouti: What Europe should understand of China’s approach to military expansion
China’s military presence in Djibouti has an impact on peace and stability in the region, which directly affects the interests of European countries in Africa, writes Yun Sun.
EU security must no longer depend on US, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (27 August) called for Europe to stop relying on the United States for its military defence as he pushed for fresh EU integration in the face of rising nationalism around the continent.