Raising awareness of both existing and emerging foreign and security policy challenges facing the European Union, EUISS Briefs provide key information in a concise, focused format.
The EU must redefine energy security by moving beyond a narrow focus on supply and adopting a holistic system-wide approach. Reliance on fossil fuels makes Europe vulnerable to external pressures and costly imports, while a shift to renewables would enhance security, lower costs...
The latest actions of the Trump 2.0 administration have heightened fears about a dwindling US commitment to Europe. But US abandonment could manifest in different ways – as a bargaining chip or as a policy goal. To prepare for all possible scenarios, the EU and its Member States...
Russia’s intensified involvement in West Africa, particularly in the Central Sahel, is reshaping the region’s strategic landscape and undermining Western influence. By closely monitoring media-based proxy measures of Russian engagement, EU policymakers can better detect early...
The Indo-Pacific is rapidly emerging as the world’s geopolitical and economic centre of gravity. To regain relevance, amid concerns about its long-term commitment to the region, and Southeast Asia in particular, Europe needs to recalibrate its approach and step up its engagement.
The EU needs to assume ‘strategic responsibility’ in defence, and there is now growing political support for higher EU-level defence spending. This Brief examines how the EU can develop and fund capabilities of common interest at the European level – capabilities that individual...
The Gulf of Guinea’s resources, economic potential and strategic location make it a vital area for maritime security. While piracy has declined, threats like illegal fishing, trafficking and terrorism persist. This Brief presents three scenarios with recommendations for the EU to...
The US’s three main adversaries– Russia, China and Iran – actively sought to influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. This Brief examines the various tactics that they employed, arguing that the EU can learn from innovative strategies put in place by the US...
The EU is increasingly concerned about strategic dependencies on Chinese technology, particularly with regard to China’s output of legacy semiconductor chips. This Brief explores what steps the EU can take to build resilience against economic security risks in this domain.
In the aftermath of the October parliamentary elections in Georgia, the EU should refrain from restoring normal relations in exchange for minor concessions from the government. We argue that it should instead prioritise support for the social forces and independent media that...
The Indo-Pacific, a region marked by complex geopolitics, faces unique challenges in ensuring the security of its submarine cables. For the EU, the vulnerability of undersea communications cables poses a strategic risk, calling for more proactive measures to protect this critical...
