The world today stands closer to nuclear catastrophe than at any point since the end of the Cold War. Conflicts involving nuclear-armed states could all too easily escalate to a nuclear confrontation, right as global arms control treaties collapse. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/s...

The current debate around a possible resumption of nuclear testing introduces a new level of brinkmanship in an already fraught geopolitical climate. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/n...

4/4 And read my own thoughts on why Europeans should urge Washington to reciprocate the Russian offer, whilst at the same time injecting their own ideas on the next steps to control nuclear weapons. europeanleadershipnetwork.org?p=24679

3/ Read what my @theeln.bsky.social colleague Julia Berghofer argues how Europeans should react to Putin's offer to extend New START upper limits: europeanleadershipnetwork.org?p=24710

2/ Take a look at what @theeln.bsky.social Network members think about how Russian and US threats to resume nuclear testing impact European approaches to arms control and disarmament: europeanleadershipnetwork.org?p=24829

In the latest episode of the Women Leaders podcast, ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El speaks with Kristina Zeleniuk (TSN) and Kim Barker (@nytimes.com) about reporting from Ukraine’s war zones. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/multimedia/t...

🚨 APLN is deeply concerned about announcements to resume nuclear testing. This would end nearly 3 decades of global consensus against nuclear explosive testing + threaten the stability of our region & the world. Here's why it's dangerous 🧵 (1/7) www.apln.network/analysis/sta...

Following new signals of possible nuclear testing, questions are resurfacing about the role of testing. How might these shifts, or even their perceptions alone, affect Europe and the global arms control regime? See what some of our Network had to say ⤵️ europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/n...

“Already declining aid flows were further disrupted in 2025 by the withdrawal and restructuring of USAID programs. This change is especially damaging due to the shock-and-awe nature of the cuts, which left no room to adapt and marks the end of an era of three decades of deepening engagement.”

Check out the ELN's latest Iran briefing below ⤵️ mailchi.mp/europeanlead... Subscribe to the mailing list here ⤵️ europeanleadershipnetwork.org/future-nucle...

ELN Policy and Research Director @olivermeier.bsky.social spoke to Südwest Presse about Trump's instruction to resume nuclear testing, check it out (in 🇩🇪) below ⤵️ www.swp.de/politik/trum...

In the face of global trade wars, geopolitical realignments, weakening democracies and strengthening autocracies, wars both hybrid and kinetic, and increasingly fragile multilateralism, the world as we know it is undergoing a profound transformation. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/multimedia/t...

Development aid faces unprecedented disruption following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine & USAID’s 2025 withdrawal. With USAID funding nearly half of global humanitarian aid, its exit leaves vulnerable states like Ukraine, Georgia, & Moldova exposed. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/t...

Yesterday, ELN Policy Fellow Jana Baldus spoke on a parliamentary panel, "Reviving nuclear diplomacy in an age of escalation". Co-hosted by @theelders.bsky.social & @basicint.bsky.social, this event stressed the need for political leadership to revive action on nuclear arms control & disarmament.

We've had a fantastic year at the ELN, and I'd like to congratulate the entire team on all the work we've accomplished! Check out our first impact report below to see what we've been up to ⤵️

The ELN’s 2024 impact report, “The power of diverse networks”, details the organisation’s accomplishments in reducing the risk of existential conflict and the power of our diverse network, even at moments of deep geopolitical tension. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/report/the-p...

The recent violations of Allied airspace represent an unprecedented escalation of tensions between NATO and Russia. Matus Halas writes that NATO must try to protect its airspace against unauthorised activities. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/v...

In light of the recent Gaza ceasefire, ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El is joined by a Palestinian and an Israeli – Dr Tahani Mustafa (@ecfr.eu) and Dr Miriam Rosman (forumdvorah ). europeanleadershipnetwork.org/multimedia/t...

Any monitoring mission deployed to observe an end to the hostilities in Ukraine is likely to use remote-sensing technologies to support its verification work. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/policy-brief...

Putin’s offer to extend New START has been met with silence from most European leaders. ELN Senior Policy Fellow Julia Berghofer writes that, despite concerns over Russia's sincerity, the West should not miss an opportunity to leverage Russian interests. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/t...

Europeans should welcome Putin’s New START extension offer and play an active role in shaping a future arms control deal—one that reflects Europe’s interests by resuming data exchange, addressing short- & intermediate-range missiles, argues @olivermeier.bsky.social @theeln.bsky.social 6/10

Putin’s offer to extend New START opens a rare window for dialogue. ELN Policy and Research Director @olivermeier.bsky.social argues that US allies in Europe should seize this rare opportunity for arms control and help shape Washington’s response. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/e...

In New York for the UNGA First Committee on Disarmament & International Security? Make sure to check out ELN Senior Policy Fellow Julia Berghofer's and ELN Senior Network member @akmentt.bsky.social's side event ⤵️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

As Trump’s America slides into economic uncertainty & deepening division, China is cultivating ties with the Global South, flexing its power on the world stage, & supporting Russia in Ukraine. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/multimedia/t...

Must-read by my @theeln.bsky.social colleague Julia Berghofer on why regular and independent #failsafe reviews by #nuclearweapons possessors of their nuclear arsenals are a key indicator of responsible stewardship 👇‼️

In times of eroding arms control measures, nuclear-weapons states should consider enhancing transparency around their nuclear safety, security and reliability mechanisms (‘fail-safe’) to strengthen the risk reduction agenda. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/policy-brief...

The ELN team are delighted to be in Berlin, meeting network members, talking strategy, and today, meeting with the arms control team at @germany.diplo.de.

International development has come to an end, according to some economists. Be it the closure of USAID, the shift of EU & NATO states to defence spending, or the populist inspired interest in isolationism, the inclination to fund others is diminishing. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/multimedia/t...

International development has come to an end, according to some economists. Be it the sudden closure of USAID, the shift of EU & NATO states to defence spending, or the rise in isolationism, the inclination to fund others is diminishing. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/multimedia/t...

The European Leadership Network provides a quick summary of debates in Iran about what to do about France, Germany, and Britain triggering snapback. Some glimmers that diplomacy may be edging out NPT withdrawal, for now.

Check out the ELN's latest Iran briefing ⤵️ mailchi.mp/europeanlead...

Russia’s exercise Zapad is not only combat prep but also an instrument of strategic communication. The challenge is reading it right. ELN Senior Policy Fellow @alxgraef.bsky.social writes that confidence-and security-building measures (CSBMs) may help. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/n...

In the latest @women--leaders.bsky.social podcast, ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El is joined by Jodi Rudoren to discuss all things Trump and how the administration’s brash moves are affecting the U.S.’s position as a global leader. Listen here: europeanleadershipnetwork.org/multimedia/t...

Business leaders need to seize the initiative and assume their own responsibility for the implementation of a whole-of-society comprehensive security model across Europe, writes ELN network member @Nicholas_Dungan europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/e...

Check out the ELN's latest Iran briefing here ⤵️ mailchi.mp/europeanlead... Sign up to receive it direct to your inbox here ⤵️ europeanleadershipnetwork.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

All concerned should use next 30 days to seek off-ramp before snapback. Alternative is outcome nobody wants, except advocates of war. Good thoughts on stepping stones to avoiding such outcome in this @theeln.bsky.social piece by @hamidrezaaz.bsky.social 👇‼️ europeanleadershipnetwork.org?p=24532

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Karin von Hippel to the ELN's Executive Board. Between 2015 and 2024, she served as Director-General of RUSI. Before that, she served for nearly six years in the US Department of State.

Any sign of Iran rebuilding its nuclear or missile programme could prompt renewed Israeli strikes; however, having highly valued his support in the 12-day war, Israel will only undertake this with Trump’s consent, writes Meir Javedanfar. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/i...

If you are interested in how further escalation around #JCPOA #snapback deadline can be avoided, read this excellent piece by @hamidrezaaz.bsky.social 👇‼️

Today, 🇬🇧, 🇫🇷 & 🇩🇪 diplomats meet Iranian counterparts in Geneva, days before an end-of-August snapback deadline that would restore pre-2015 sanctions on Iran. @hamidrezaaz.bsky.social writes that a narrow path remains open for those willing to take it. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/a...

Must-read for all concerned about health of global non-proliferation regime and NPT: my great @theeln.bsky.social colleague @janabaldus.bsky.social on how different takes on nuclear deterrence divide international community and how #NPT should be revitalised as forum for addressing this question. 👇‼️

Competing perceptions of nuclear deterrence no longer peripheral disagreements within the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and are now driving deep divisions within the regime, threatening its very stability. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/h...

Today, as Trump and Putin meet in Alaska, ELN Senior Iran Advisor Sahil Shah & @dvsteff.bsky.social have written for @politico.com that whilst attention is on Ukraine, there is also an opening for both leaders to make tangible progress on nuclear arms control. www.politico.com/news/magazin...

President Trump and President Putin are due to meet tomorrow. In light of the EU leaders’ statement that any deal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, involve Kyiv and be based on a ceasefire, we asked ELN network members for their reflections.

Nuclear failsafe reviews - as conducted by 🇺🇸 in 1990-1992 and 2022-2024 - are important measures to safeguard against accidental or inadvertent nuclear use. Today, @apln.network, @nti.org & @theeln.bsky.social co-publish summaries from 🇨🇳 🇮🇳 🇵🇰 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 Track-II failsafe workshops over the last year.

Amid great power tensions, developments in emerging technologies, & escalating nuclear threats, the risk of inadvertent nuclear use is rising. With @nti.org & @apln.network, the ELN is promoting the benefits of nuclear "fail-safe" reviews to reduce the chance of accidental use.

Many in Europe resent some African states’ neutrality on Russia’s war in Ukraine. However, Daniel Ajudeonu of the YGLN notes this stance reflects economic realities, notably, Russia’s growing role in African nuclear energy development. europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/m...

Glad to be in this good company! Check out the ELN’s starter pack here and follow experts on nukes, war and peace, geopolitics and more

Check out the ELN's starter pack below - one quick link to follow our staff and network members on @bsky.app ⤵️ go.bsky.app/R9H5MtK

Really interesting piece from @olivermeier.bsky.social - we’ve been incredibly lucky to have avoided further use of nuclear weapons since WWII, and we can’t allow that luck to turn into complacency as it increasingly seems to be the case - read his full piece below ⤵️