Publications

The EU-Western Balkans Summit highlighted renewed momentum for enlargement. Yet ongoing political crises, governance shortcomings and regional tensions show that successful integration will depend as much on domestic reforms and stability as on geopolitical ambition.

Nikol Pashinyan’s election victory keeps Armenia on a pro-European course despite intense Russian pressure. Yet his failure to secure a constitutional majority leaves the peace process with Azerbaijan vulnerable, underscoring the need for sustained EU engagement.

As G7 leaders gather in Évian, growing tensions between the US and its allies risk weakening the Western alliance just as China accelerates its global coalition-building efforts. The summit will test whether the G7 can renew strategic entente in an increasingly contested world.

The EU and its enlargement partners face shared cyber threats but have yet to develop the operational cooperation needed to address them effectively. Deeper pre-accession coordination is needed to strengthen political, societal and industrial resilience across Europe.

Europe’s growing deep-strike gap threatens NATO deterrence as US support becomes less certain. European states must move faster to develop, produce and procure affordable deep-strike systems while strengthening the intelligence and targeting networks that make them effective.

The Caribbean is facing major geopolitical upheaval as the US increases pressure on Venezuela and Cuba. Regional actors are recalibrating their strategies in response. The EU should not ignore this region given its relevance to Europe’s own security.

Syria's reconstruction will depend not only on foreign investment, but on transparent institutions and effective governance. By prioritising legal reform, public administration and anti-corruption safeguards, the EU can help prevent renewed instability and state capture.

Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops and cancel missile deployments to Germany creates new gaps in European security. Europe must strengthen its long-range strike capabilities, prepare for further US retrenchment and build support for stronger deterrence.