The European Council on Foreign Relations

Feature Article

Time to rally the European troops, General Ashton

By Daniel Korski - 30 Nov 09

Like President Obama, Baroness Ashton may be judged on how well she dons a general’s beret. In building Europe’s military capabilities, there is fortunately both much to rectify and build on.

Commentary

ECFR podcasts - experts and big names talking about Europe's place in the world

By ECFR - 27 Nov 09

A podcast looking at Europe’s place in the world, this week and next. In this episode we look ahead to the EU-China summit with Francois Godement, and find out what ‘Ukraine Fatigue’ is from Andrew Wilson.

When bad news goes unnoticed

By Ulrike Guérot - 23 Nov 09

With the rest of Europe preoccupied with the van Rompuy and Ashton appointments, the French Europe Minister, Pierre Lellouche, picked the best time to announce some bad news: there will no joint Franco-German minister.

Van Rompuy is the right man for the job

By Wolfgang Münchau - 23 Nov 09

Belgian leadership consists of bringing consensus to a fractious coalition, exactly what the president of the EU has to do.

Reflecting for action

By Jose Ignacio Torreblanca - 22 Nov 09

What will Europe’s leaders do with the reflection group’s report, which aims to be straight talking, concise and legible, when Felipe González delivers next year?

La eficacia del diablo

By Lluis Basset - 21 Nov 09

The EU was “diabolically efficient” in picking Rompuy and Ashtong to preserve the power of national capitals.

After all the horse-trading, the final two

By Ulrike Guérot - 20 Nov 09

The names Hermann van Rompuy and Cathy Asthon have baffled Europeans today. But they may prove to be exactly the type of names Europe needs at its top.

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Latest News on ECFR

ECFR and CER hold a high-level event in Brussels on energy security - 23 Nov 09

In partnership with CER, ECFR organised a successful roundtable on ‘Achieving Energy Security in Europe’ on 17 November 2009.

ECFR Members convene in Madrid for the 6th Meeting of the ECFR Council - 20 Nov 09

On 6-7 November 09, ECFR Members and experts gathered in Madrid for the 6th Meeting of the ECFR Council.

Read more news >

Latest Publications

China and India: rivals always, partners sometimes

The latest issue of China Analysis argues that Western concerns over “Chindia” - the emergence of a Sino-Indian economic power bloc or strategic alliance - may be unwarranted. 

Towards a post-American Europe: A Power Audit of EU-US Relations

Europe has the US president it wished for, but Barack Obama lacks the strong transatlantic partner he wants.

Can the EU rebuild failing states? A review of Europe’s civilian capacities.

Broken promises and treating Afghanistan, DR Congo and Iraq like Bosnia has left the EU without the capacity to prevent fragile states from becoming failing states.

Supporting Moldova's democratic transition

If EU leaders are looking for ways to make the Eastern Partnership successful, there are worse places to start than Moldova.

What does Russia think?

ECFR publishes collection of views from key Russian intellectuals.

The EU and human rights at the UN: 2009 annual review

The EU’s ongoing loss of influence at the UN is putting lives at risk, argues ECFR’s latest paper.

China’s response to the G2

Fears in Europe that China works to lock the US into a “G2” embrace so as to dominate the global agenda do not reflect Chinese experts’ current strategic thinking.

European and Russian power in the troubled neighbourhood

A complacent strategy focusing on slow change rather than pressing crises is losing the EU its battle with Russia for influence in the eastern neighbourhood.

Beyond the “War on Terror”

The EU should seize the opportunity to influence President Obama’s efforts to reform US counterterrorism policy.

A Power Audit of EU-China Relations

China is exploiting the EU’s divisions and treating the 27-state bloc with “diplomatic contempt” on issues ranging from trade to the Dalai Lama.

Shaping Europe's Afghan Surge

The military surge in Afghanistan will fail unless it comes with a civilian surge as part of a new strategy.

Re-wiring the US-EU relationship

With the pivotal change of leadership in Washington, the US and the EU are presented with an ideal moment to strengthen the US-EU institutional bond.

Beyond dependence: How to deal with Russian gas

Building a single European market in natural gas is the most effective strategy for the European Union to counter Russia’s divisive energy diplomacy.

Promoting democracy abroad - the EU's record

In a joint research project with FRIDE, ECFR looks at the EU’s record in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco.

The EU a global force for human rights?

The EU’s leverage to promote human rights through the UN has dramatically declined over the last decade, our exclusive report reveals.

Can the EU win the peace in Georgia?

This paper analyses the background and developments in the Russia-Georgia conflict and outlines recommendations on how to prevent wider political fallout.

Re-energising Europe's Security and Defence Policy

European governments cannot afford to move at the speed of the slowest and should push for a ‘multi-speed’ Europe on ESDP.

In the Press

Making slow and steady progress - 26 Nov 09

Andrew Wilson on the Ukraine energy deal.

Euractiv - 26 Nov 09

A story on our transatlantic report and Brussels event.

Foreign Policy (Spain) - 26 Nov 09

A Spanish blog on our transatlantic report.

The Independent - 25 Nov 09

Gowan comments on the views of the ICC in Africa and the West.

Capital - 23 Nov 09

Thomas Klau on the appointments to the EU’s top jobs.

Read more press >

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