Publications

Beijing has reshaped the US-China tech war by weaponising critical minerals, forcing Washington to abandon non-negotiable controls in favour of G2-bargaining. Europe now faces growing dependence and exposure to economic coercion, and must reindustrialise with partners to protect...

Geopolitics: Russians and Americans are making plans, to which Europeans then react with panic – that's how it usually goes these days, observes Steven Everts . This week's EU summit is a crucial moment to change this.

The South Atlantic is emerging as a strategic arena connecting Africa and South America. Deepening security and economic ties, intensifying geopolitical competition and rising threats from organised crime create new challenges and opportunities for more proactive EU engagement.

Russia is waging a hybrid energy war on Europe and Ukraine, coupling physical attacks with targeted disinformation. The EU must reinforce infrastructure resilience and strategic communications to protect citizens and counter Moscow’s manipulation of energy security narratives.

As Washington’s overtures to Moscow grow, the EU risks being sidelined. Europe must adopt a more transactional strategy to safeguard its security and secure a voice in shaping the continent’s future security.

Europe must use the proposed reparation loan to shift the war’s trajectory: not just keeping Ukraine afloat but strengthening its defences, rebuilding critical infrastructure and pressuring Moscow. If targeted effectively, it can help Kyiv regain momentum and bolster Europe’s own...

Talk of a US–China 'trade truce' may lull Europe into a false sense of security. Beijing's export controls on rare earths and critical materials remain disruptive, unpredictable and coercive. Unless the EU accelerates de-risking, its industries and defence sector will stay...

The Sahel remains strategic for the EU amid the threats posed by terrorism, criminal networks and rising geopolitical competition. As multi-alignment reshapes regional partnerships, the EU must place diplomacy at the core of its renewed approach, focusing on shared interests...

Europe faces relentless foreign interference. The newly minted European Democracy Shield can turn defensive resilience into strategic resolve by boosting coordination, expanding capacities and enforcing compliance – strengthening Europe’s ability to deter hostile actors and...

Europe’s prosperity depends on secure Western Indian Ocean routes, yet governance remains fragmented. The EU can strengthen stability by supporting the alignment of vision, resources, and partnerships across a region where strategic competition is intensifying.