Highlights
Featured
Fast energy: How Europe can power the AI revolution and stay competitive
Europeans must urgently implement a “fast energy” programme to speed up access to energy to power AI—and remain competitive in the world
Beijing hold’em: European cards against Chinese coercion
Europe has a China problem and pretending otherwise is making it worse. Chinese cheap exports and a monopoly on rare earths are not just economic irritants, but leverage wielded deliberately. Europeans can no longer just de-risk. They need a deterrence strategy with teeth
EV endgame: Stalling China’s export surge in Europe’s southern neighbourhood
Chinese electric vehicle brands are adapting to Western trade barriers by increasing their presence in the Middle East and North Africa. Europe’s response must go beyond merely closing the loopholes
Hormuz hold’em: How to stop the US-Iran crisis in the strait
If Trump follows through on his threat to bomb Iran’s energy infrastructure, the Strait of Hormuz is likely to shut down entirely and the catastrophic energy crisis will deepen. Europeans need to push for an urgent and sustainable ceasefire
Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes
What the Iran war means for Europe’s energy
Mark Leonard is joined by Szymon Kardaś to discuss how the war in Iran is affecting energy prices and supplies in Europe
ECFR on air
Eastern Europe’s breaking point: When crises collide and the EU hesitates
Jessica Hendrick is joined by Sophie Gueudet and Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze to explore how geopolitical shocks are reshaping eastern Europe’s future
Views from the Council
Love Actually? Washington’s current relationship with Britain is more like Contempt Actually
If the UK wants to regain serious respect in the world, it needs its European leg as well as its transatlantic one
Trump strikes Venezuela: Three conclusions for Europe
Trump’s military action in Venezuela highlights America’s hemispheric turn, its disregard for international law and the president’s growing reliance on force. Europe faces tough choices to defend its interests
Featured and flagship projects
The Data Collection
Explore our open-access data platform for unparalleled access to ECFR’s public opinion polls—empowering research and insight on today’s key foreign policy issues.
Featured
Re:Engage
This project helps the EU in refining its foreign policy, re-engaging neighbours post-Russia's invasion of Ukraine to bolster regional resilience and advance enlargement policies.
Featured
Re:Order
Re:Order project explores emerging visions of the global order, as well as the interplay between economic might and geopolitical influence.
Featured
Latest
The art of the off-ramp: How Europe can pressure Trump to end the war in Iran
As Trump digs his heels into a war with Iran, he faces a growing list of domestic pressures. Europeans can press on these points to push Washington towards a ceasefire
The Trump trap: Why Meloni’s referendum defeat is a warning for Europe
The Italian prime minister’s referendum defeat could reveal the price of allying with a US administration that goes against European interests
Beefing up partnerships: How the EU and Australia can give their trade deal strategic heft
The EU has concluded its third major trade deal of 2026. Its agreement with Australia reflects both sides’ desire for new partners amid Trumpian chaos and Chinese coercion. But now this partnership should go further
The Gulf on the front line: The end of strategic hedging and new space for Europeans
The war on Iran marks a turning point in the security calculus of the Gulf monarchies. Strategic hedging has failed—and Europeans could become just the reliable partners the monarchies need
Why China, not Russia, could be the real winner of the Iran war
Russia’s oil bonanza will hardly bridge its huge fiscal gap. China’s current pains are real, but its gains could last
Love Actually? Washington’s current relationship with Britain is more like Contempt Actually
If the UK wants to regain serious respect in the world, it needs its European leg as well as its transatlantic one
Alberto Rizzi on the prospects for connectivity in the Mediterranean, between strategic opportunities and structural obstacles
Tobias Gehrke’s and Nina Schmelzer’s policy brief, Beijing hold’em: European cards against Chinese coercion, mentioned by Adnkronos
Teresa Coratella on Orbán’s Hungary and its role in obstructing the European Union’s response to Russia
Agathe Demarais on how Russia has set up an entire cryptocurrency ecosystem to circumvent sanctions
More on Africa
Carbon bargain: How Europe can adapt to Africa’s new energy alliances
Europeans must adapt their approach to supporting Africa’s energy transitions—or risk losing out to China and other competitors
More on Asia
Borrowed mouths and laundered messages: China’s influence playbook in Europe
Chinese foreign manipulation and interference are rising in Europe. Five techniques feature in Beijing’s playbook, communicating messages about China’s place in the world and support for Russian positions.
More on European Power
The electric endgame: Europe’s clean path out of vassalage
The geoeconomic power of the future will be shaped by climate policy. Countries that play the right moves in regulation, clean-tech production and climate finance today will win in the electrified world of tomorrow
More on European Security
From shield to sword: Europe’s offensive strategy for the hybrid age
Europe’s defensive measures to shield its democracies from hybrid attacks are no longer enough. If Europeans want to protect their peace and prosperity, the time has come for them to fight back
More on Middle East and North Africa
Averting West Bank collapse: How to revive Palestinian politics
Hollowed out by violent Israeli control and Mahmoud Abbas’s personal rule, the Palestinian Authority is losing its grip on the West Bank. European and Arab states must intervene to rebuild legitimate governance and keep Palestinian self-determination alive
More on United States
One battle after another: Factional struggles and the making of Trump’s foreign policy
Trump’s foreign and security policy is the product of factional competition in the White House and a president fixated on short-term wins. Here’s how Europeans should come to terms with this new reality