It's the annual "Night where Brexit never happened*" in Brussels. Geoff Meade and Jacki Davis in fine form at the Press Revue. 🇬🇧🇪🇺 *Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social

“Everything hangs on this,” said Joris Teer, a researcher at the EU Institute for Security Studies, the European Union’s think tank for security policy. Without a flow of critical minerals, he said, “there is no rearmament.”

Here you have it. Why social media and the algorithm are poisoning our politics - full of rage and indignation. It wasn’t like this and therefore it doesn’t have to be. on.ft.com/4oVKxQi

The EU is planning to further tighten visa rules for Russians, ending multi-entry Schengen permits. With visa-free access to just 11 countries, the Russian passport is one of the weakest. More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx

Trust between Europe and the US is eroding, and "this isn’t just a phase", warns Director @sbeverts.bsky.social. Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.

"Dat Rusland dagelijks en routinematig miljoenen Oekraïners aanvalt met een ijzingwekkend arsenaal aan vernietigingswapens, is echter verre van normaal. Nederland, heel Europa, mag niet normaliseren en accepteren dat deze Russische agressie, met al zijn oorlogsmisdaden, voortwoekert."

Something symbolic about the delay in the Commission’s plans on how to get the EU ready for enlargement (policies, budget, voting etc). Was supposed to come this week together with the assessment of how the candidates are doing. Now postponed until end Nov. We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.

Lighthouse Map of The Netherlands brilliantmaps.com/lighthous...

So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.

As Dutch 🇳🇱 people go to vote, here a terrific set of data on what’s actually happening. #spreadthetruth

Brilliant.

“The most important thing Europeans need to do now is to really step on the accelerator when it comes to the diplomacy….Let's not just wait until the next announcements come from here or from there... And secondly, step up support for Ukraine." My comments for Deutsche Welle:

A period of pre-war. Good column on the mood in Brussels today by @dsorennie.bsky.social. Sober realism plus a readiness to break taboos. But the politics of it all remains tricky and money is tight. And there isn’t much time…

Europe is under pressure in a world shaped by Putin, Trump & Xi. But the game isn’t over: the EU has assets & allies to leverage. @sbeverts.bsky.social joined @rofreudenstein.bsky.social at @icmpd.org #ViennaMigrationConference for a discussion anchoring migration to the broader global context.

US top research university on path of self destruction. Time to expand #ChooseEurope

Tensions between Europe & the US aren’t new. Over the years, the partnership has weathered many storms. But under Trump’s 2nd presidency, disruption has accelerated. (1/4) ⤵️

In these years of maximum danger, ramping up European defence is the only way to go. Lots of EU initiatives but we need results at speed and scale. Only if we are strong can we remain free. Good to discuss all this with @thinktankeuropa.bsky.social with @eu2025dk.bsky.social

Here we go again. Trump parroting Kremlin talking points. European leaders once again need to stand with Ukraine and show we mean it. Together with Ukraine, we can defeat Russian aggression - in all forms.

Als je echt wilt weten hoe het nu zit met China’s strategie om die kritieke grondstoffen als geopolitieke machtsmiddel te gebruiken luister hier dan naar @joristeer.bsky.social. Europa heeft echt een probleem; het is laat maar nog niet te laat…

China has opted for a major tightening of export controls on critical raw materials. This has strategic implications across the economy and affects our ability to defend ourselves. Here @joristeer.bsky.social breaks down China’s motives and EU response options. ↘️

Our next panel at #TheBodrumRT considered “The future of transatlantic security” with @rosabalfour.bsky.social, Jonathan Cohen @rusi.bsky.social, @sbeverts.bsky.social, @tacanildem.bsky.social, Carmen Romero (NATO), chaired by @cigdemustun.bsky.social @edamorg.bsky.social

For almost a year, Europeans have faced the Trump tornado - unsure what to do. It is time to face the facts. Europe is not powerless - and not alone. Read latest @euiss.bsky.social paper on how Europeans can navigate the age of low trust. Nice visuals and policy solutions included!

9/ Strategic moves 3️⃣𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: plan for crises as the new normal 4️⃣𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫: build Europe’s will and capacity to act on its own 5️⃣𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: strengthen alliances across the world with concrete offers

8/ Tactical moves 1️⃣𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦: cooperate where interests still align 2️⃣ 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: continue engaging with Washington at the highest level

7/ ⚖️ In the conclusion, @sbeverts.bsky.social & I argue that navigating this era of 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 requires both tactical adaptation to keep the relationship functioning, and strategic moves to strengthen Europe's ability to defend its interests

The transatlantic partnership was built on trust. Today, that trust is rapidly eroding. 🧭 Europe must adapt — and learn to navigate this age of low trust. New Chaillot Paper 👉 ow.ly/7W7550XbpcO

Belgo-Dutch media giant DPG is giving students in BE and NL aged 16-25 free access to its newspaper apps. What a great move.

Boom. Major move by Dutch govt in ongoing chip war ⬇️

China is upping the ante in the fight for critical raw materials. It’s part of wider Chinese strategy to extract maximum leverage from its dominant position. This is a major problem for Europe, not just the US. @joristeer.bsky.social goes through the numbers and sets out a path forward.

“The good news is that Beijing’s behaviour towards the Kremlin depends more on the price we make China pay than we might think.” Lots of interesting data on the Russia - China economic relationships in our visual story. What’s really going on and what can we do about it?

Are Europeans willing to support & defend each other? Today, we uncovered the results of a survey by @eui-eu.bsky.social & @yougov.co.uk on solidarity in Europe, examining public support to Ukraine & the effect of the new Trump presidency. Crisis can both unite & divide Europe. Results public soon!

How to organise Europe’s defence ramp up? As EU leaders meet in Copenhagen, here an argument that the real momentum lies in shifting coalitions - more than the EU at 27 or NATO at 32. A patchwork of small groups. Messy but effective.

Europe is a patchwork of shifting coalitions but in defence, that patchwork is where Europe’s real strength lies argues @sbeverts.bsky.social. Messy, yet effective. 🔗 Read the analysis: www.iss.europa.eu/publications...

“En misschien zit juist in die lappendeken van kleine coalities de echte Europese kracht.” uitstekend punt dat Steven Everts hier maakt: www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Interessante visie van @sbeverts.bsky.social : de kracht van EU op defensiegebied is wisselende coalities van 3-5 landen en niet een overall defensiebeleid van 27 landen www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Je hebt twee Europa’s; dat van de EU met 27 landen. En het Europa van de wisselende coalities. Juist omdat de 27 steeds meer vastlopen in verdeeldheid, zoekt men elkaar steeds meer in wisselende coalities. Defensie een goed voorbeeld. Rommelig maar wel effectief. Mijn stuk voor @nrc.nl:

The geopolitics of supply chains is heating up and China is sharpening its tools as well as its strategic intent. @joristeer.bsky.social who’s the economic security lead @euiss.bsky.social, talking here to the FT ↘️

Beneath the summits & communiqués, the #EUIndia partnership lacks a shared vision. Misunderstandings & diverging priorities hold it back. Without greater focus & coherence, it risks remaining a partnership of power without purpose. 🔗 ow.ly/f2JV50X1VUl

Great pleasure to host Gerald Knaus at EUISS today for an exchange on Europe’s foreign policy challenges and future. His insights sparked a truly engaging discussion!

⚠️ Without smarter coordination, Europe risks wasting much of its growing defence investments. Europeans should embrace flexible small-group cooperation and strengthen their partnership with #Ukraine, writes @lscazzieri.bsky.social. www.iss.europa.eu/publications...

European governments voting with their money. Only 8% of new German defence procurement planned to go to US companies. Wise move.

Europe cannot fix Myanmar’s turmoil. But its presence still matters, argues former ambassador @sabatuccieu.bsky.social. It is one of the few lifelines left for Myanmar’s people. To leave would be to abandon them, and Europe’s credibility. ➡️ ow.ly/vlVh50WWL7h

Europeans want the EU to play a bigger role globally. But how? At our annual conference, experts pointed to one barrier above all: risk aversion. ➡️ More in @sbeverts.bsky.social commentary: ow.ly/Lgii50WVBI4

To say Europe must play a stronger role is easy. Large majorities of citizens demand it. The question is: how? At our annual conference we asked diplomats and experts - their answers were surprising and encouraging. It’s about risk aversion more than anything else.

We don't do propaganda to make you believe something. It's to make you believe nothing. So you do nothing.

To say Europe must play a stronger role is easy. Large majorities of citizens demand it. The question is: how? At our annual conference we asked diplomats and experts - their answers were surprising and encouraging. It’s about risk aversion more than anything else.

Europe needs to be willing to take more risks. That was one of the main recommendations coming out of the @euiss.bsky.social annual conference. Here my takeaways on the survey we did.

The EU must stop being complacent & self-flagellating. It is an economic & political force, and has the military will to defend our freedom & interests. "That’s what we must continue doing,” said Delphine Pronk at #EUISS2025.

"De makke van Europa is niet zozeer gebrek aan middelen of eenheid, maar gebrek aan lef." Bij @euiss.bsky.social vroegen we experts en diplomaten wat Europa nu echt nodig heeft om een vuist te malen. De resultaten waren verrassend en hoopgevend. Mijn laatste stuk voor @nrc.nl:

If the goal is indeed to ‘pressure Russia’ why doesn’t Trump - finally - do the obvious ie crippling sanctions on Russia, air defence and deep strike weapons to Ukraine? The war would be over soon.