❓ Is the European Political Community quietly becoming a new pillar of Europe's geopolitical governance? That's the BIG idea we discussed yesterday with Her Excellency Daniela Morari, Ambassador of #Moldova to the EU, and a host of other esteemed guests, ahead of the 7th #EPC summit on 2 October.

🚨🎧 Your weekend listen is here. 🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy. Listen here ⤵️ Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ

📱 ‘In the #digital arena, the #EU is still playing a rules-based version of nobody-gets-hurt judo, whereas the other major players have shifted to something more like mixed martial arts.’ In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️

We extend our warmest congratulations to BIG's Advisory Council member Kajsa Ollongren as she takes up this exciting new role with Europe's values firmly at its heart. 👏

🌍 Mapping Geopolitics: The ‘Trump Effect’ Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months. 🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive. big-europe.eu/publications...

🇨🇳 In 1989, Wang Dan led student protests in Tiananmen Square. “We had no blueprint, only hope.” As part of BIG's #Project1989, he reflects on that moment, civil society and the struggle for democracy in China and beyond. 🔗 Read the full interview here: shorturl.at/McBcl

🌍 As the EU-China summit unfolds in Beijing as we speak, BIG retraces the ancient Silk Road from Rome. Once a main artery of trade culture, we explore if it is still possible to walk these paths with modern geopolitical roadblocks 🔗 the full map: shorturl.at/O0tJK #china #summit #eu #geopolitics

💬 ‘Hunched forward, with mirrored posture, Trump and Zelensky huddle deep in conversation' 📷 In BIG's first photo essay, we how a seemingly impromptu photograph taken before Pope Francis’s funeral service currently stands as the most significant geopolitical image of 2025. Read: shorturl.at/7J6YV

🇪🇺🇨🇳 On the eve of the EU–China summit, Ties Dams asks: Can Europe earn great power recognition? or is it still caught between U.S. decline and China's rise? 50 years after the genesis of EU-China relations, the stakes are just as high 🔗 big-europe.eu/publications... #EU #China #Geopolitics #Summit

‘On the European continent, ‘civilization’ is almost considered a dirty word...' 🇪🇺🇨🇳With the EU-China summit fast approaching in the next few days, can historical identity become a form of soft power in today’s geopolitical order? Read more here: big-europe.eu/publications...

Delighted to present BIG’s ‘Green Realpolitik: Recasting Europe’s Climate and Energy Diplomacy’ by @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social A clear-sighted look at what’s at stake as Europe attempts to carry forward its climate and energy agenda into a new geopolitical era. big-europe.eu/publications...

Russia disregards Europe at its peril, warns BIG's Claude-France Arnould. As the NATO summit ends in The Hague, she explores centuries of conflict and why Moscow tends to underestimate Europe ⬇️ big-europe.eu/publications...

Joshua Livestro traces Europe’s federal tradition from Machiavelli to Monnet—arguing it’s rooted not in ideals but geostrategic necessity: unity for power, not just peace. A resilient way to frame the EU narrative as we head into the #NATOsummit with big challenges ahead. shorturl.at/F83GR

📝 Writing for BIG, author Ophélie Coelho outlines the need for Europe to carve a path to digital independence, away from the United States and China. Does Europe have the infrastructure to accomplish total digital sovereignty? Read more here: shorturl.at/9zCu8

🔊 Is Europe still the centre of culture? New Handing Over the Mic ep features Louma Salamé, director of the Boghossian Foundation, in conversation with Christine Mhundwa & Elisa Díaz Gras. From Louvre Abu Dhabi to Doha’s Mathaf, we explore how artistic dialogue can foster a diplomatic impact

Mapping Geopolitics South Africa’s ICJ case has triggered political and legal rifts. A new research map on our website shows how countries are aligning big-europe.eu/publications/2025-06-13-the-un-convention-on-genocide-and-the-gaza-war-legal-responsibility-in-a-fractured-international-order

‘1989 wasn't the real beginning’ Hubert Védrine is a French diplomat and was the diplomatic advisor for President François Mitterrand in 1989. We spoke to him about the shifts that occurred in Europe before the fall of the Berlin wall. Read more below: big-europe.eu/publications...

"We had no clear roadmap for reunification.” In the weeks leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall, Joachim Bitterlich served as West Germany’s foreign & security policy advisor to Chancellor Kohl. Read our full interview with him as part of Project 1989 below: big-europe.eu/publications...

As the #G7 wraps up and with NATO next week, BIG’s @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social examines the roots of the ‘new culture war’ between Trump’s America and Europe — and what recent elections in Poland, Romania & Germany reveal about his ideological reach. big-europe.eu/publications...

The Brussels Institute for Geopolitics proudly announces Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl as its new Vice-Chair of the Board. Ms. Bonefeld-Dahl brings a wealth of experience to the role, currently acting as Director-General at DIGITALEUROPE. @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social @digitaleurope.bsky.social

Thank you Clément Beaune, French High Commissioner for Strategy and Planning, for joining us at BIG alongside other distinguished guests. It was an excellent opportunity to discuss Europe’s readiness for today’s security challenges. big-europe.eu/2025-06-03-e...

📢 Our latest newsletter is on its way soon! 🌍 Explore the evolving landscape of geopolitics, with deep dives into the historical and cultural transformations shaping Europe today. Subscribe now to stay informed with the BIG newsletter: big-europe.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

A pleasure to host the Board of the Dutch Ministry of Finance this week, to discuss what today's security and defence challenges mean for the role of the euro and Europe’s prosperity. A chance to reflect on present and future within our historic Hôtel Van Eetvelde premises.

🚨 We're hiring a Head of Comms at BIG If you're a journalist or comms expert steeped in EU politics, history, and strategy, come shape the stories Europe tells in a shifting world Join us in Brussels to help define Europe's geopolitical voice 🗓️ Apply by 8 June 2025 🔗 big-europe.eu/big-is-hirin...

'We need not just the unpowerment of our rivals, but the empowerment of ourselves.' BIG’s Hans Kribbe spoke at today’s @euiss.bsky.social @poland25eu.bsky.social seminar on how the EU can limit Russia’s influence — urging a clearer, stronger European offer in a geopolitical world.

BIG Director @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social joined #Impact25 in Poznań this week, speaking on transatlantic ties with distinguished guests. Also in dialogue w/ Rem Koolhaas & @politico.eu's Anne McElvoy on Europe’s place in the world. Tks @impactcee.bsky.social for this brilliant event.

✒️Michał Sutowski explores ‘Poland’s long farewell to the end of history’ in this original piece looking at the country’s history post-1989. What sets Poland apart from other parts of Europe? Could the last pillar of the 1989 era conceived by Fukuyama soon topple? big-europe.eu/publications...

🇪🇺A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on #EuropeDay for an open house at the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics. It was an honour to welcome Herman Van Rompuy, Henryka Mościcka-Dendys, and Undine Ruge for a rich and timely conversation on 'Who Speaks for Europe?'.

🌍 In this new Mapping Geopolitics feature, we look at how Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and Outermost Regions (ORs), “empire confettis”, are becoming strategic hotspots for the EU and its Member States — and their relevance is only set to grow. big-europe.eu/publications...

‘Commemorating the future’ In his latest editorial marking ‘Europe Day’, @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social looks at the significance of commemorations to bind a community, foster collective memory and offer inspiration to future generations. big-europe.eu/publications...

Get BIG’s publications straight to your inbox by signing up to our mailing list. You’ll find an eclectic mix of content interpreting the geostrategic challenges facing Europe. Next edition dropping shortly... big-europe.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

⏰On 9 May, Russia marks Victory Day, Europe celebrates Europe Day. In a powerful essay, BIG guest writer Karl Schlögel explores how these dates collide amid rising tensions. Will Putin's Red Square parade overshadow Europe Day? Full piece: big-europe.eu/publications...

📢 Following Macron and von der Leyen’s stark warning — this essay by Luis Vassy couldn’t be more timely Vassy argues that Europe must choose to exist, and that means reclaiming not only its military autonomy, but its intellectual sovereignty 📝Read here: big-europe.eu/publications...

📺 On Nieuwsuur, BIG director Luuk van Middelaar discusses the current turning point in US-European relations with Francis Fukuyama. From the Normandy landings and the fall of the Berlin Wall to today’s world of Trump 2.0 @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social @frankfukuyama.bsky.social youtu.be/iXgvZ9pYNIA

🎙️ “Africans are now less willing to be lectured by the West.” In Handing Over the Mic, we speak with @DipoFaloyin—author of ‘Africa Is Not A Country’—on Africa’s shifting mindset and relationship with Europe 🌍 🎧 Listen here: big-europe.eu/publications...

🇪🇺 Celebrate #EuropeDay with BIG on 9 May 🇪🇺 w/ Herman Van Rompuy, Henryka Mościcka-Dendys & Undine Ruge in conversation with @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social on 'Who Speaks for Europe?' 📍 Open house at BIG + 🎻 by Lascar String Quartet. big-europe.eu/2025-05-09-o...

In this brilliant essay, ‘The EU’s Mackinder Moment’ BIG guest writer Professor Mark Gilbert at Bologna’s @johnshopkinssais.bsky.social, re-visits the work of the ‘father of geopolitics’ to understand its significance to contemporary Europe. 📕 big-europe.eu/publications...

💬 "I wanted to forget about East Germany." André Wilkens reflects on his reaction to the fall of the Berlin Wall and its legacy on Europe’s identity. #Project1989 big-europe.eu/publications...

💬 "I studied capitalist economics to destroy it from the inside." As part of BIG’s #Project1989, Albena Dimitrova reflects on her hopes and fears on discovering the other side of the Berlin Wall. big-europe.eu/publications...

Face à Poutine et Trump, Friedrich Merz change de cap — une décision clé pour l’Europe, explique @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social, directeur du BIG sur @france24.com avec Caroline de Camaret. www.france24.com/fr/%C3%A9mis...

“Europe has to get ready for a rougher world order where we have to be able to defend ourselves” Director @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social talks to @france24.com about Europe’s place in a world of increasing geopolitical rivalries. www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...

The EU is issuing burner phones to US-bound staff over spying fears. BIG's @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social talking to @financialtimes.com, says “Washington is not Beijing or Moscow but an adversary prone to using extra-legal methods to further its interests & power.” www.ft.com/content/20d0...

Writing for BIG, Martijn van der Linden explores what it means to imagine a world beyond the dollar in his piece, ‘Emancipating the Euro.’ big-europe.eu/publications...

The Institute hosted a 'safe space' session this week on Europe’s energy and climate diplomacy with six Commission DGs and the EEAS — a chance to break down silos and reflect on strategic priorities. big-europe.eu/2025-04-03-b...

The EU’s €800bn rearmament plan shows Europe is waking up to the scale of the threats it faces. But investment alone isn’t enough. How can it deliver real, coordinated defence capabilities? BIG's Claude-France Arnould explains ⤵️ big-europe.eu/publications...

💬 'Who thought that our stock markets would be doing better than the American stock market?’ 🔊 Listen to Bruno Maçães talking at our event ‘Tech Sovereignty – What does it mean?’ reminding us that bold decisions made on Europe’s new path of independence can lead to rewards @brunomacaes.bsky.social

📰 Dans Le Monde, notre Associée Senior Claude-France Arnould plaide pour une défense européenne fondée sur une chaîne de commandement autonome et une préférence industrielle continentale dans les secteurs militaire et spatial. ➡️ Lire la tribune : www.lemonde.fr/idees/articl...

💬 'There is a consciousness that it's a new time for Europe' 🔊 Listen to Bruno Maçães talking at our event ‘Tech Sovereignty – What does it mean?’ explaining that the time has come for Europe to pick a new path of independence.

As European leaders gather in Brussels for the European Council summit, we are delighted to welcome Herman Van Rompuy, the first full-time President of the European Council, to BIG’s Advisory Council We look forward to his insights from a career at the pinnacle of European decision-making Welcome!

💬 ‘Do we really needed tech conglomerates in Europe?’ 🔊 Listen to author and researcher Ophélie Coelho speaking at our Tech Sovereignty – What does it mean? event last week. In her comments, she emphasises a European approach focusing on tech that serves society. @opheliecoelho.bsky.social