European Union Institute for Security Studies |

Dark clouds ahead: Energy outlooks for winter

Europe faces a challenging energy outlook as winter approaches, with tight markets and Russian hybrid attacks exposing its vulnerabilities. The EU must combine targeted energy relief with swifter electrification and stronger protection of critical infrastructure.

Commentary

6 October, 2026 By: Caspar Hobhouse

Map of Europe in colours and name of event

Europe under pressure: what does it need to decide now?

On 15 October, join our live discussion ahead of the European Council on the difficult choices facing European leaders.

Events

Oct 15 2026

Feeding the beast: Energy security as a precondition for the EU's AI power

As the global AI race accelerates, abundant, affordable and reliable energy is becoming a key source of technological power. Aligning AI infrastructure with energy availability could strengthen Europe's resilience, reduce dependencies and advance its technological ambitions.

Briefs

28 September, 2026 Edited By: Clotilde Bômont, Caspar Hobhouse

China - A fragile power? How Europe can use its economic leverage over Beijing

China is powerful - but increasingly fragile. Beijing's economic vulnerabilities create both risks and leverage for Europe. How the EU can use its economic strengths to pursue a strategy of leverage-based diplomacy with Beijing.

Chaillot Papers

9 March 2026 By: Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Tim Rühlig

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Too little, too late? Georgia's lessons for Serbia and EU leverage

By: Bojana Zorić, Tefta Kelmendi

Georgia’s democratic regression highlights the risks facing Serbia, where similar warning signs are emerging. As authoritarianism becomes entrenched, EU leverage diminishes, underscoring the need for earlier, more decisive action to counter democratic backsliding.

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Activities

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Europe under pressure: what does it need to decide now?

Events

Oct 15 2026
Black Sea Security Seminar '26

Events

Oct 01 2026
How to accelerate Ukraine’s EDTIB integration

Events

Sep 24 2026
The final frontier? China’s space ambitions and the choices facing Europe

Events

Sep 23 2026

Meet the team

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Media

Discover more EUISS videos on YouTube

Explore our latest video content offering expert analysis and insights into key global and European security challenges.

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In the news

Our experts are available for media requests. Our work involves many issues relating to Europe and foreign policy, and our programmes focus on Africa, Asia, the Middle East & North Africa, and Wider Europe.

Tim Rühlig quoted in the Associated Press ahead of EU Trade Commissioner's visit to Beijing

08 October 2027 Tim Rühlig
Joris Teer's interview with DW News on China's CRM dominance

26 September 2026 Joris Teer
Giuseppe Spatafora quoted in Euronews about Canada's 'associate membership'

29 September 2026 Giuseppe Spatafora
Tim Rühlig interviewed by France 24 on President Xi's Washington visit

France24 24 September 2026 Tim Rühlig

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Dark clouds ahead: Energy outlooks for winter

Europe under pressure: what does it need to decide now?

Feeding the beast: Energy security as a precondition for the EU's AI power

China - A fragile power? How Europe can use its economic leverage over Beijing

Latest Publication

Too little, too late? Georgia's lessons for Serbia and EU leverage

Dark clouds ahead: Energy outlooks for winter

Feeding the beast: Energy security as a precondition for the EU's AI power

Building together: How Europe and Ukraine should deepen their defence industrial partnership

The EU's first associate member? How to make EU-Canada ties stronger and tighter

More arrows to Europe's quiver: How to manage transatlantic relations beyond the midterms

Activities

Europe under pressure: what does it need to decide now?

Black Sea Security Seminar '26

How to accelerate Ukraine’s EDTIB integration

The final frontier? China’s space ambitions and the choices facing Europe

Meet the team

Lizza Bomassi

Clotilde Bômont

Ondrej Ditrych

Alice Ekman

Caspar Hobhouse

Rossella Marangio

Tim Rühlig

Luigi Scazzieri

Katarzyna Sidło

Giuseppe Spatafora

Joris Teer

Bojana Zorić

Media

Discover more EUISS videos on YouTube

In the news

Tim Rühlig quoted in the Associated Press ahead of EU Trade Commissioner's visit to Beijing

Joris Teer's interview with DW News on China's CRM dominance

Giuseppe Spatafora quoted in Euronews about Canada's 'associate membership'

Tim Rühlig interviewed by France 24 on President Xi's Washington visit