Global Europe

The Brief, powered by EHFG — Vucic, Orban and the Putinisation of Europe

The latest news is that Central European leaders signed a joint declaration today saying immigration should not be the answer to the EU’s demographic challenges and calling on the bloc to keep family policy under national jurisdiction. In other words, they want to have it their way.

The EU’s quest for strategic autonomy in the Western Balkans: Why it flopped

One could cut a long story short and simply note that the EU failed in its dealings with the Western Balkans because it did not put its money where its mouth is. However, this assertion contradicts the accepted narrative in Brussels and most EU capitals, and requires proof, writes Dušan Reljić.

Digital connectivity can fix the EU’s faltering Eastern Partnership

Relations between the EU and its eastern neighbours a going backwards. But a combination of renegotiated trade agreements and digital connectivity could reverse the tide, writes Dan Dalton.

The weaponisation of Nord Stream 2 has already started

Global market trends surely play a role in explaining the current gas price rally, but the shell game played by the Kremlin is here for everyone to see unless we choose to look the other way, writes Mykhailo Gonchar.

The Brief, powered by EHFG — Macron has wind in his sails

The EU has had a glorious period of big projects — the single market, enlargement, the euro. Reform in this period, including treaty change, was driven by the sheer scope of these huge projects.

The Brief, powered by EPRA – A China war by the backdoor

As diplomatic snubs go, the announcement by the United States, Britain, and Australia that they would establish a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific which would also help Australia acquire US nuclear-powered submarines - scrapping a $40 billion French-designed submarine deal in the process - is hard to beat.

Brussels should follow Biden’s lead in engaging Russia

Putin's Russia is a consistent source of tension among EU countries, but a certain degree of engagement with this country could deliver tangible benefits for the EU on increasingly urgent issues such as climate change, the Arctic, and cybersecurity, writes Nick Lokker.

A giant leap towards energy sustainability: The African single electricity market

Creating a single electricty market across Africa is an immmense task, but will mean cheaper, reliable and renewable electricity, increasing the number of people who have access to power, writes Johan van den Berg.

The Brief, powered by EPRA – The Crimea question

The “countdown for the de-occupation” is running, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said at the first Crimea Platform summit last month, where 46 summit participants, including 14 national leaders, stressed the possibilities for Ukraine to regain full control of the peninsula.

Afghanistan faces near universal poverty within a year

Without major financial and logistical support, the people of Afghanistan face a future of poverty and humanitarian crisis, warns Achim Steiner.

The Brief — xEUnophobia

The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan is a tragedy for the Afghans, but it has also provided a sad indication of the growing xenophobia in the EU.

The Brief – The anti-Americanism challenge

An old joke goes: “What does the good Lord do to punish the Americans? He sends them tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes. And what does the good Lord do to punish the other nations? He sends them Americans.”

Our mission to Lebanon: help the EU to help you

The European Union is ready to help. The European progressive forces stand beside the Lebanese people to facilitate the financial support necessary to relaunch the economy. Are Lebanon’s leaders and politicians ready?

Hungary, Poland, Serbia: China’s backdoors to Europe

China benefits from divisions that prevent the EU from forming a unified front against it. That is why relations with EU members Hungary and Poland, as well as with the Western Balkans and Serbia in particular, are getting stronger, writes Antonia Colibasanu.

The Brief – No country or bloc is an island

The crisis in Afghanistan may be prompting the EU to have a crisis of confidence and bout of self–examination about its role in the world, but it is not the only one. The same can be said of Britain. Twenty...

The Brief – Security awakening or another false dawn?

Following the recent security disaster in Afghanistan and the unfolding refugee crisis/migration dispute, another common EU defence idea has resurfaced. But will it actually become reality this time?

Why Norway’s efforts to curb deforestation abroad is a PR stunt

Norway’s investment of billions in fighting overseas deforestation follows the West’s hypocritical relationship with climate change, once again shifting the blame on developing nations whilst diverting attention away from the West’s culpability in environmental destruction, writes Muhammed Magassy.

Now more than ever – Tunisia’s democracy needs its friends

After the President's decision in July to suspend parliament, Tunisia's democracy needs support from the EU and other international allies, writes Rached Ghannouchi.

France: a natural mediator of rapprochement between Armenia and Azerbaijan

It is France's duty to play the role of mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan, argues Jérôme Lambert.

Serbia’s emergence as China’s new strategic hub

Membership of the EU remains Serbia’s strategic goal, as two thirds of its trade exchange is with the EU. However, Serbia has become increasingly close to China in recent years in a plethora of areas, writes Serbian journalist Darko Čačić.

Why Europe’s militaries should worry about climate change

As the planet heats up and extreme weather events become more devastating and frequent, Europe’s armed forces and their capabilities will increasingly be challenged as well, argues Lukas Trakimavičius.