"The world will not fall apart in 2026, but we will continue to muddle through an illiberal wave which is clearly not just a phase", write @markhleonard.bsky.social, Jeremy Shapiro, and Anand Sundar. Read the ten foreign policy trends that will shape 2026. https://bit.ly/4qH5mjk

🎧New year, new podcast! This week, @markhleonard.bsky.social welcomes Jeremy Shapiro to look back at the year that was and ahead to what 2026 might bring. Together, they mark their last year’s predictions and setting out ten bold forecasts for the year. https://bit.ly/3LfJ35d

Time to get over your X, Europe! Our new policy brief from Giorgos Verdi warns that the European Union must urgently develop an independent “EuroStack” of critical technologies to solve the reliance from American tech. https://bit.ly/48ZLCBA

Here's ECFR’s most popular reads of 2025, reflecting stark and changing dynamics of the world. Trump has been back in the White House for a whole year, Russia is still waging war in Ukraine and Europeans are trying to reassert their influence in a multipolar world. Read more:https://bit.ly/48XCqMS

Here are seven takeaways on what the EU’s decision to grant a €90bn loan to Kyiv using the EU budget means for Europeans, Ukraine and the fate of Russian reserves, writes @agathedemarais.bsky.social https://bit.ly/3MMgbSH

Europe’s resilience isn’t just steel and silicon. Biosolutions must be part of defence and resilience strategies—backed by coordinated policy, investment & industry collaboration. Key takeaway from the ‘Securing Tomorrow’ conference. #ECFRDARE, @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social, @danskindustri.dk

Europe must urgently build an independent “EuroStack”of critical technologies — or risk foreign powers weaponising its digital dependencies, argues @giorgosverdi.bsky.social in a new report out today. A 🧵

A greener European future does not have to come at the expense of other key priorities, namely defence and competitiveness. Rather, they support each other. A greener EU is also a safer and wealthier one, writes @matsengstrom.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4hlleVt

Europeans need collective leverage to even start a conversation with Beijing—otherwise acceptance becomes the new normal and Beijing will continue to gradually escalate, write @jankaoertel.bsky.social and @tobiasgehrke.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/475mPLG

The new government programme should reflect the view, which has increasingly gained ground in the Netherlands, that economic and job security are not for free but come at a European budgetary price, writes Herman Quarles @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/47fT09U

European industry needs to decarbonise, or it risks falling behind in green technology while countries like China race ahead, writes @matsengstrom.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/3JmD5i4

The EU needs to go beyond its AI Continent Action Plan and—like the US—develop an AI foreign policy. This is vital to allow the EU to amplify its existing AI efforts, writes @giorgosverdi.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://ecfr.eu/article/why-the-eu-needs-an-ai-foreign-policy/

By presenting Kirk as a martyr killed by “leftist hate”, conservative leaders across the Atlantic can reaffirm their core narrative: that they are victims, persecuted and silenced by liberal elites, writes @pawelzerka.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/46XO1L0

By uniting to stand up for their values and step out of America’s shadow, the EU and European countries can show they are not props on Trump’s soundstage, but autonomous actors in transatlantic and global politics, writes @pawelzerka.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/48xylAg

Invece di rimuginare su ogni parola di Trump, gli europei dovrebbero guardare a sé stessi e portare avanti le riforme economiche necessarie per rafforzare il ruolo globale dell'🇪🇺. ✍️ @agathedemarais.bsky.social x @ecfrpower.bsky.social x @ecfrgeotech.bsky.social

Von der Leyen rightly did not mince her words: the EU is in a fight. The international order, she warned, is shifting from rules-based to power-based, writes Tiago Antunes @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/48hJzJ5

Starmer’s managerial competence would have been well suited to the top job in a period of stability: but these times call for leadership, writes Nick Witney @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/3KifQFW

As the French prime minister tends his resignation following a no confidence vote, options remain for President Emmanuel Macron to keep French international activism alive, write @celiabelin.bsky.social and Constance Victor @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4pdcMuQ

The EU’s AI foreign policy could also act as a lever to amplify the global effect of the EU’s AI regulation. For example, Europeans could make access to European data conditional on signing the AI Code of Practice, writes @giorgosverdi.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/3I1L979

Poland’s domestic paralysis weakens the entire Western response precisely when unity and strength are most critical, writes Marta Prochwicz Jazowska @ecfrpower.bsky.social

Check out the latest op-ed from from Senior Policy Fellow, @matsengstrom.bsky.social, on the MFF negotiations and maintaining the EU's green tech competitiveness (in Swedish).

The EU needs to develop a concrete policy to address Russian annexation actions in prospective member states like Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine For a detailed look at what this might entail, read the latest policy brief from Tefta Kelmendi and Sergi Kapanadze @ECFRPower.bsky.social bit.ly/4le7c8m

The Trump administration has made clear its distain for the multilateral system. As it reviews US participation, Europeans are faced with a tricky balance of selectively embracing these reforms while filling the America-sized hole, write @celiabelin.bsky.social and Anthony Dworkin.

Last weekend, Ursula von der Leyen visited Trump at his Turnberry golf course to accept a trade deal which largely acquiesces to American demands. The deal avoided a trade war, but Europeans need to guard the deal's positive aspects. Read @alberto-rizzi.bsky.social's policy alert:

🍃In a Trumpian world, Europeans must drive climate action through stronger climate partnerships with countries across the globe, write Susi Dennison and Mats Engström in the new policy brief for @ecfrpower.bsky.social Here's how Europeans can act:

The EU’s new 2040 climate target will only be credible if it works more closely with partners worldwide—sharing technology, financing green transitions, and reducing strategic dependencies, writes @matsengstrom.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social Read the new policy alert in full: bit.ly/4lENYJH

Together with the Ukrainians, Europeans should begin—now—to draw up a “beyond the horizon” plan for Ukraine in readiness for a ceasefire or even a peace deal. Read our new policy brief by @camillegrand.bsky.social, Jana Kobzova and Nicu Popescu. ecfr.eu/publication/...

🔴New Op-Ed from ECFR's @nicupopescu.bsky.social, Distinguished Fellow, and Tiago Antunes, Associate Senior Fellow, on the need for Europe to beef-up its crisis response systems and infrastructure following April's Iberian blackout @ecfrpower.bsky.social 🔗https://bit.ly/4lbz65d

🔴New Policy Brief from Dmytro Kuleba — How to arm a pacifist: Lessons from Ukraine for the EU’s defence @ecfrpower.bsky.social 🔗 bit.ly/3HNiEK6

📢 Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski will open this year’s Annual Council Meeting, as part of the 🇵🇱 EU Council Presidency. 💻Watch LIVE on our Youtube channel.

📢 ECFR Webinar | Defence without America? Are Europeans ready to secure their own future? 🗓️ 23 June, 15:00-16:00 CEST 📍 Online | Registration required 📊 New polling from 12 countries 🎙️ Jana Kobzova, Ivan Krastev, Mark Leonard 🎛️ Chair: @lykkefriis.bsky.social

A TikTok ban is a last resort, but the risks posed by disinformation, algorithmic manipulation and foreign surveillance are too great to ignore, writes Stephanie Niedenhoff, Programme Assistant @ecfrpower.bsky.social buff.ly/Vyca9Gl

European allies should urge the US government to use its unexploited sources of leverage over Russia—and learn from whether it does, writes Jim O'Brien, distinguished policy fellow, in his latest commentary for ECFR. @ecfrpower.bsky.social

🌍WEBINAR | 23 June 2025 15:00 CET Join ECFR’s Mark Leonard, plus @lykkefriis.bsky.social, Ivan Krastev & Jana Kobzova for the launch of new public opinion report on attitudes to defence, Ukraine & global leadership. Register now 👇

📢New study! Authored by @jeremycliffe.bsky.social‬, @taszuc.bsky.social‬, @camillelons.bsky.social & @arturovarvelli.bsky.social‬ it shows how the challengers’ growing influence & the Trump administration’s willingness to support them is unsettling the old European mainstream ecfr.eu/publication/...

Following the election of Karol Nawrocki, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has two-years to demonstrate to Poles that the EU’s deliverable benefits outweigh any populist alternative. Learn more in Policy Fellow Marta Prochwicz Jazowska's new commentary. @ecfrpower.bsky.social

Britain’s strategic defence review overlooks the dangers of banking on America for its security, writes Nick Witney, Senior Policy Fellow at ECFR Learn more about what the UK's new strategic defence review missed in the latest commentary @ecfrpower.bsky.social👇

A united European effort to boost Ukraine’s defense could be key to ending the war and securing Europe. How can Europe step up? Read the latest by Jana Kobzova & Nicu Popescu 👇

In this new commentary, @rafaelloss.bsky.social describes three developments that could force NATO leaders to further expand their forward land forces, as Germany activates its new brigade in Lithuania. @ecfrpower.bsky.social

The EU needs a legal instrument to override rules in war or major security crises, empowering institutions to prioritize military production, secure supply chains and allocate vital resources effectively, writes Tiago Antunes. @ecfrpower.bsky.social‬ NEW Policy Brief: bit.ly/3Sh5QOa

🎧 New Week, New Podcast! This week, Mark Leonard and @alberto-rizzi.bsky.social discuss the effects of a shrinking and aging global population on 21st-century geopolitics. @ecfrpower.bsky.social @ecfrgeoeconomics.bsky.social Listen, share and subscribe 👉 bit.ly/4dWszcs

In April, millions of people across Spain and Portugal were left without power—some for almost a day. The EU must now address weaknesses in its energy infrastructure to ensure the lights stay on, writes @szymonkardas.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social

Giorgia Meloni needs to make Italy’s geopolitical role in Europe more definitive. Rome should welcome cross-border collaboration and greater regional integration through projects such as the Three Seas Initiative, writes @taszuc.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social

Mark Leonard, @jeremycliffe.bsky.social, and @jpuglierin.bsky.social discuss the new German government led by Merz, focusing on differences from the previous "traffic light" coalition, main challenges faced, and implications of Merz's initial Bundestag setback. Listen here:

In Trump's first 100 days, his actions have disrupted American governance and global diplomacy. Mark Leonard discusses these changes with @jyshapiro.bsky.social, focusing on implications for American democracy and Europe. Listen here:

With Friedrich Merz poised to become Germany's next chancellor, Mark Leonard and @jpuglierin.bsky.social discuss the implications and new government's trajectory. Tune in here:

Is Mark Carney's recent electoral triumph paving the way for stronger Canada-Europe ties? Discover more about boosting collaboration between Europe and Canada from @jhosa.bsky.social. Dive into the details here: bit.ly/4k5Oi3v

Facing Trump's tariff threats, the EU must play its cards wisely. A phased negotiation strategy could turn the tide in Europe's favor, writes @tobiasgehrke.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social @ecfrgeoeconomics.bsky.social Read his new commentary, here 👇

Con US e Cina che si ritirano dalla diplomazia climatica, l'Europa si trova ad affrontare un momento cruciale. Il vertice sull'energia della scorsa settimana apre la strada a un percorso impegnativo verso la COP30, scrive per @ecfrpower.bsky.social Susi Dennison 👇

Nel suo commentary, @tobiasgehrke.bsky.social spiega perché l'🇪🇺 dovrebbe negoziare i dazi con Trump in tre fasi, attuando una visione di lungo periodo. Solo con strategie a lungo termine può l'UE fare le scelte giuste oggi @ECFRPower.bsky.social👇