New ECFR report | Rome’s moment: Draghi, multilateralism, and Italy’s new strategy

Under Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Italy is focused on dealing with the pandemic while promoting Italian and European interests as president of the G20 and co-chair of COP26. The Draghi government is shifting the priorities of Italian foreign policy towards the European Union, the transatlantic relationship, and multilateralism more broadly.  Draghi’s Italy will work primarily […]

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The gulf between them: What Gulf countries can learn from Iran’s approach to Iraq

. Key take-aways:  Iran adopts a strategically pragmatic approach to Iraq, cooperating widely to maximise its influence while working hard to retain vital Iraqi economic support, especially vis-à-vis its rivalry with the US.  In contrast, Arab Gulf states’ approaches to Iraq have been stop-start – although Iraq’s own weak governance also contributes to this.  Europeans should encourage Arab Gulf […]

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Europe risks losing battle over digital infrastructure to US and China

. Key take-aways:  Undersea internet cables are as important as gas and oil pipelines – like the Nord Stream 2 project – and are a focus of growing geopolitical rivalry between the US and China throughout the EU’s wider neighbourhood.  China and the US have different approaches but are racing ahead of the EU in terms of their influence over internet […]

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Europe’s green moment: How to meet the climate challenge

New ECFR data shows Europeans are divided on climate, but there are clear pathways to underpin European engagement with climate geopolitics.  EU member states are publicly committed to the European Green Deal but are divided over the details of its implementation.  They have different views on issues such as the proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism, […]

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ECFR analysis: How the EU should cooperate with Indo-Pacific partners

Today, the EU approved conclusions on an EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, a region spanning from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific island states. According to its official statement the EU wants to “contribute to regional stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, at a time of rising challenges and tensions in […]

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How Europe can rebuild multilateralism after covid-19

The pandemic has brought forward a new agenda for multilateralism, focused on areas including global health, economic recovery, climate, technology and trade. The EU should pursue a twin-track strategy, seeking to revitalise institutions that include rival powers while promoting deeper cooperation with like-minded countries. Europe should launch an initiative to build up global vaccine manufacturing […]

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EU’s digital decade: ECFR’s tech experts available for comment and interview

Without its own digital capacities and autonomy, the EU will struggle to face the US and China in what has become a geopolitical technology competition. As the EU Commission today unveils its plans for the bloc’s ‚Digital Decade‘, the European Council on Foreign Relations is launching its Technology and European Power initiative based on four […]

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Deutschsprachige ECFR-Expert*innen zu außenpolitischen Themen

Wie kann Berlin Europas Russland-Politik stärken? Wie müssen Deutschland gemeinsam mit Frankreich und Großbritannien dem Iran gegenüber auftreten? Wie soll sich die deutsche Regierung mit Blick auf die EU-China-Beziehungen positionieren? Die Expert*innen der pan-europäischen Denkfabrik European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) erklären die außenpolitischen Debatten unserer Zeit aus der Perspektive einflussreicher EU-Staaten – und ordnen […]

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ECFR polling and analysis ahead of this week’s european council

As European leaders prepare to meet this week to discuss the EU’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, its preparedness for other health threats, and issues surrounding the bloc’s security and defence, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) shares details of polling and analysis across the agreed agenda. POLLING: In a recent pan-European survey, of more than 15,000 […]

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