European Union – think tanks monitor

Vladimir Putin sitting in a chair in front of the Russian and Kazakhstani flags.

Russia’s Post-Soviet Grip Is Fracturing — but Not Collapsing

June 1, 2026

The parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, 2026, represent a critical turning point for Armenia’s political and strategic landscape. As the country navigates complex security challenges and fragile peace negotiations with Azerbaijan, these elections serve as a de facto referendum on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s agenda and Armenia’s future orientation. This report examines the intense domestic polarization, the ongoing tensions in relations with Moscow, and the broader implications of this vote for Armenia’s path toward European integration and regional stability in the South Caucasus.

European Union flags flying outside the European Commission building in Brussels.

EU’s Chinese Tech Purge Is Costly, Contradictory, and Politically Driven

June 1, 2026

This analysis evaluates the European Commission’s 2026 Cybersecurity Act revisions, which aim to exclude high-risk third-country suppliers from critical networks. We explore the tension between Brussels’ pursuit of digital sovereignty and the economic realities of replacing deeply embedded Chinese technology. By questioning the shift toward origin-based blacklisting rather than universal security auditing, we assess the potential for retaliatory trade measures and long-term instability in EU-China relations.

Miniature figures standing on puzzle pieces representing the flags of China and the European Union.

Europe’s China Trade War Temptation Is a Trap of Its Own Making

May 26, 2026

This analysis explores the intensifying debate within the European Union regarding its trade policy toward China. With a 2025 trade deficit of €359.8 billion serving as a focal point, the article examines the push by a five-nation coalition—led by France and others—for more aggressive protectionist measures. By contrasting these calls for tariffs with warnings from experts like Rolf Langhammer about structural competitiveness, the report assesses whether Brussels is prioritizing genuine industrial strategy or simply reacting to competitive panic. The piece further contextualizes the EU’s internal challenges, such as high energy costs and fragmented regulation, arguing that trade barriers may fail to address the root causes of Europe’s weakening industrial position.

Ursula von der Leyen and Isaac Herzog walking together at the European Commission building in Brussels.

Europe’s Israel Policy Faces Public Reckoning

May 4, 2026

European nations are facing a significant public reckoning regarding their Israel policies. As favorable views reach single digits in several countries, a massive citizens’ petition has forced EU leaders to debate the suspension of the Israel Association Agreement, exposing a deepening divide between government diplomacy and public sentiment.

Close-up portrait of Donald Trump wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat looking downwards.

Trump’s Failed Bet on Europe’s Far Right

April 30, 2026

The recent electoral defeat of Viktor Orbán in Hungary highlights the limitations of the Trump administration’s efforts to cultivate far-right alliances in Europe. Despite high-level support, domestic economic woes and corruption concerns led voters to reject the MAGA-aligned leader, signaling a growing disconnect between Washington’s nationalist exports and European political realities.

The Big Ben clock tower in London with a blurred Union Jack flag in the foreground.

Mistrust Deepens in UK-US ‘Special Relationship’

April 29, 2026

King Charles III’s state visit to the U.S. comes amid deepening mistrust in the transatlantic alliance. Tensions have escalated over the Pentagon’s reported use of the Falkland Islands sovereignty as diplomatic leverage, highlighting a strategic divergence as London navigates economic constraints and a more transactional Washington.

Ursula von der Leyen and Isaac Herzog walking together in a hallway at the European Commission.

Europe’s Public Pressure Forces Israel Reckoning

April 29, 2026

Europe’s political alignment with Israel is facing unprecedented strain as public sentiment shifts toward accountability. Despite institutional resistance from major powers like Germany and Italy, growing grassroots mobilization and formal requests to suspend trade agreements signal a widening gap between European citizens and their governments regarding regional human rights obligations.

An isometric illustration showcasing three hexagonal frames representing medical research, space exploration, and green energy technology.

China–Europe Science Ties: Genuine Partnership or Geopolitical Gamble?

April 27, 2026

The gap between bilateral ambition and multilateral restriction has reached a breaking point in Europe’s science policy. While Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez champions open research with Beijing as a driver of innovation, the European Commission is moving to exclude Chinese entities from strategic fields like semiconductors and AI. As China’s R&D spending nears $723 billion, this report explores whether Europe can afford to de-risk without losing its edge in the global race for frontier technology.

Soldiers in military uniforms carrying a large European Union flag in front of the European Parliament building with various national flags in the background.

Europe Can’t Defend Itself Without Turkey

April 24, 2026

Europe’s pursuit of strategic autonomy faces a harsh reality: its defense architecture is mathematically incomplete without Turkey. From drone supremacy to providing NATO’s deepest missile warning via Kürecik, Ankara offers the scale and industrial speed that the EU currently lacks. As Turkey prepares to command NATO’s Allied Reaction Force in 2028, Brussels must bridge political friction with strategic necessity to ensure a credible defense against regional threats.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in front of national flags.

Spain Courts Beijing: Sánchez Bets on China as Transatlantic Ties Fray

April 24, 2026

In a strategic response to fraying Transatlantic ties, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has solidified a pragmatic partnership with Beijing. By securing high-quality investments from Chinese giants like Chery and CATL—conditioned on local job creation and technology transfer—Spain is positioning itself as a vital manufacturing hub and a diplomatic bridge between China and a fragmented Europe. This report analyzes how Madrid is navigating U.S. pressure to secure its green transition and economic sovereignty.

A conceptual image featuring two puzzle pieces with the flags of China and the European Union, with two small human figures standing on them facing each other.

EU Cybersecurity Rules Threaten China Trade Ties

April 22, 2026

Deepening tensions between the EU and China have reached a new flashpoint over proposed revisions to the European Cybersecurity Act. By introducing “non-technical” risk assessments, the EU moves toward potential exclusion of Chinese technology providers from critical infrastructure. This strategic shift faces fierce opposition from Beijing, which warns of severe disruptions to global trade, renewable energy goals, and the erosion of multilateral WTO principles.

A classic oil painting illustration of Uncle Sam looking stressed while leaning over a world map with European politicians around him.

Europe Tests Limits of US Influence

April 21, 2026

The transatlantic relationship is entering a new, more transactional era as European leaders increasingly prioritize domestic stability over unconditional alignment with U.S. foreign policy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to opt out of the naval blockade against Iran highlights a growing strategic divergence, where European capitals are no longer willing to bear the economic costs of American-led confrontations.

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Tag: European Union

Russia’s Post-Soviet Grip Is Fracturing — but Not Collapsing

EU’s Chinese Tech Purge Is Costly, Contradictory, and Politically Driven

Europe’s China Trade War Temptation Is a Trap of Its Own Making

Europe’s Israel Policy Faces Public Reckoning

Trump’s Failed Bet on Europe’s Far Right

Mistrust Deepens in UK-US ‘Special Relationship’

Europe’s Public Pressure Forces Israel Reckoning

China–Europe Science Ties: Genuine Partnership or Geopolitical Gamble?

Europe Can’t Defend Itself Without Turkey

Spain Courts Beijing: Sánchez Bets on China as Transatlantic Ties Fray

EU Cybersecurity Rules Threaten China Trade Ties

Europe Tests Limits of US Influence

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