Germany’s neighbours have nothing to fear from its new-found strength. Berlin does not want to dominate Europe, but to exercise leadership via EU institutions - something that will be essential in a post-Brexit world.
The stronger China gets, the more important is the question of whether it will be a world power that wields its strength responsibly. The recent ruling against China by a UN arbitration tribunal brings this question into sharp focus.
Adding NATO to Operation Sophia is unlikely to substantially change the picture – though it won’t hurt. Instead, in the coming months the EU should focus on three policy baskets.
Mark Leonard speaks with ECFR experts Piotr Buras, Jeremy Shapiro, Vessela Tcherneva, and Ulrike Franke, about what was discussed at the summit and what that means for European security.
Political vagaries, a hatred of the elite, corruption and staunch nationalism divide Eastern Europe between populists and liberals.
The Spanish have spoken and dealt a blow to Podemos. The stabilising forces in government now have a last chance to take a stronger leadership role in the EU.

Over 200 serving and former European leaders discuss the future of Europe in the aftermath of the UK’s EU referendum.
Our experts and eminent guests talk about Europe’s role in the world.
Latest episode: Thinking the unthinkable - why have leaders lost touch with events?
14 July 2016
Angela Stanzel's article on Chinese culture after the Cultural Revolution.
13 July 2016
Josef Janning on Germany´s Strength in the EU.
13 July 2016
Josef Janning on Merkel and Theresa May.
12 July 2016
The article mentions ECFR's publication EU Differentiation and Israeli settlements.
With a Kurdish insurgency brewing at home and US and Russian support for Kurdish forces on Turkey’s southern flank in Syria, an overhaul in foreign policy presented itself as an unavoidable strategic imperative.
When it comes to the building of Europe, Britain is out. In fact, London had checked out years ago, but there is no denying it any longer.
Mark Leonard presents a discussion held at ECFR’s Annual Council Meeting in the Hague earlier this week with panellists Gordon Bajnai, Norbert Röttgen, George Soros, Alexander Stubb, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, and Gideon Rachman.
Creating a single digital market or improving access to venture capital are good ideas, but one thing is clear - without government intervention in the market, there is very little chance that Europe will catch up to the US in the core internet business.
The Brexit vote has turned Berlin into a hive of activity.
The British people have spoken.
The Brexit vote poses profound questions about the future of the European project, but the world will not stop while Europe works out its future.
See the complete list of speakers, the agenda, and live multimedia updates.
Two new publications from the European Council of Foreign Relations look at the real issues behind the question of market economy status.
Sanctions are clearly not an end in themselves. They are a tool and as such should be responsive to ensure maximum leverage. But this flexibility should not come at the cost of credibility.
The growing friendship between Russia and Turkey in recent years was a problem for Europe. But their recent bust-up is an even bigger one.
A British exit from the EU could jeopardise the jobs, homes, and healthcare of the 1.2 million Brits living in Europe, according to new research from the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Mark Leonard speaks with Sunder Katwala, director of the think-tank British Future, about the recent poll swings and what the result might be.