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New ideas for Europe’s relations with China, Russia, and beyondECFR has a mission: to build a stronger Europe in a world of growing challenges – from China and Russia to climate change, geo-economics, security, and more.New ideas for Europe’s relations with China, Russia, and beyond Discover our newsletters All newsletter optionsSign up for ECFR’s newsletters, updates, and mailings and dive into the most pressing foreign policy issues with insights from our experts, programmes, and offices: Flagship newsletter | Our weekly round-up on ECFR's publications, podcasts, events, jobs, and media coverage delivered straight to your inbox every Friday morning. Media sign up | Receive our press releases, media notes, and tip sheets on research and events covering top foreign policy issues. Berlin office updates | Stay tuned for expert opinions on German and European foreign policy issues, as well as monthly updates on events and jobs in our Berlin office (in German). 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I can revoke my consent later by clicking on the link at the end of every newsletter or by writing to [email protected]. More information on how we process personal data can be found here.Subscribe × Skip to content ECFR home Berlin London Madrid Paris Rome Sofia Warsaw Washington Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Podcasts RSS feeds Region Africa AfricaThe Africa programme analyses the geopolitics of the Africa-Europe relationship. In particular, the programme delves into relations between the African Union and the European Union to find creative foreign policy tools and strategies. It also focuses on two regions that are particularly relevant for Europe: the Horn of Africa and the Sahel. Highlights from Africa SudanAfrican UnionSahelEU-Africa cooperation Asia AsiaThe Asia programme seeks to help Europe recalibrate its relationship with China and its Asian partners. The programme analyses China’s domestic situation, its role in the region, and its increasing global influence. It also places a renewed emphasis on fostering Europe’s relationships with the Indo-Pacific, especially India and Japan. Highlights from Asia ChinaIndiaJapanIndo-Pacific region European Power European PowerThe European Power programme is focused on helping Europeans develop sustainable policy solutions to the issues affecting the European Union’s capacity to act with unity on the global scene. This includes analysing the path forward for enlargement, the energy transition, and European support for Ukraine. Highlights from European Power Charting the Long WarClimateEU enlargementEuropean cohesionEuropean sovereignty Middle East and North Africa Middle East and North AfricaThe Middle East and North Africa programme seeks to support a coherent European agenda in pursuit of regional interests. The programme works with European and regional governments, local voices, and civil society to advance channels of dialogue as well as providing direct policy prescriptions to secure conflict de-escalation, regional stabilisation, and democratic transition. Highlights from Middle East and North Africa Israel-PalestineThe GulfNorth AfricaMigrationTurkey United StatesNew United StatesThe US programme helps Europeans create policy responses to developments in US domestic politics and foreign policy. The programme seeks to strengthen transatlantic relations by exploring the obstacles to a more balanced partnership and developing ideas to overcome them. Highlights from United States US foreign policyUS domestic politicsTransatlantic relations Wider Europe Wider EuropeThe Wider Europe programme aims to help the European Union defend its interests and values in the Western Balkans, Turkey, Russia, and eastern Europe, as well as the South Caucasus and central Asia. The programme also supports EU decision-makers work on a unified and coherent policy to address the challenges resulting from Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine. Highlights from Wider Europe RussiaUkraineBelarusWestern BalkansEU enlargement Analysis Policy BriefsPolicy AlertsCommentariesSpecialsPodcasts Topics GeoeconomicsDefence, Security, and TechClimate and EnergyMigration EventsExpertsAbout About ECFRContact usCouncilJobsLeadershipStaffSupport us Offices BerlinLondonMadridParisRomeSofiaWarsawWashington Search Highlights Gaza crisis Russia's war on Ukraine Opinion polling Geoeconomics Defence, security, and tech All topics Latest Value-added and value lost: The macroeconomic limits of China’s Africa strategy Theodore Murphy Summit of ambition: How European and Gulf states can build a newly strategic relationship Cinzia Bianco Featured The Gaza crisis: Mapping the Middle East’s shifting battle lines Julien Barnes-Dacey, Cinzia Bianco, Hugh Lovatt Special This new ECFR mapping project identifies the spillover effects of the Gaza war in countries across the Middle East Power to the people: How the EU’s energy transition can help fight the “greenlash” Szymon Kardaś Policy Brief The EU’s energy transition is a pragmatic political choice – one that can even help the new European Commission and member state governments fight the “greenlash” Mending fences: Europe’s stake in the Saudi-Iran detente Julien Barnes-Dacey, Cinzia Bianco Policy Brief Saudi-Iran diplomacy offers a rare path to prevent deepening conflict in the Middle East and support regional stability. Europeans should see this diplomacy as a chance to address their core interests, and not just as Iran’s attempt to bypass Western pressure Welcome to Barbieland: European sentiment in the year of wars and elections Pawel Zerka Policy Brief Like the titular character in the movie “Barbie”, the EU is prone to regarding itself as more perfect than it really is. This year’s European Sentiment Compass lays bare the EU’s blind spots – and explains why ignoring them could have long-term repercussions for democracy inside the bloc Recent events 1 Oct Europe’s choices ahead of the US presidential election 1 October 2024 Literature Club Peroto, 1 Bulgaria boulevard, National Palace of Culture, 1463, Sofia, Bulgaria ECFR Sofia 1 Oct Lessons from Ukraine: Mapping out EU sanctions options for a Taiwan conflict 1 October 2024 ECFR Berlin, Unter den Linden 17, 10117 Berlin (entrance: Rosmarinstr. 1) ECFR Berlin Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes Kamala Harris and the future of US foreign policy Podcast Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin and Jeremy Shapiro to discuss Kamala Harris’s foreign policy Listen Swamp Chronicles Swamp Chronicles: Ken Weinstein on Trump and the Indo-Pacific Podcast Swamp Chronicles Aslı Aydıntaşbaş and Jeremy Shapiro welcome Ken Weinstein to discuss why and how Trump’s negotiating tactics could strengthen the US foreign policy position, and help forge alliances against China Listen Views from the Council Zelensky has a game-changing plan to win peace. For it to work, Biden must back it – fast Timothy Garton Ash Commentary View from the Council 4 minute read In besieged Kharkiv, I saw how Ukraine is approaching a perilous moment. To turn the tide, it first needs to decisively knock back Russia The future of the world may depend on what a few thousand Pennsylvania voters think about their grocery bills Timothy Garton Ash Commentary View from the Council 4 minute read The Harris-Walz ticket has transformed the presidential race. But on the ground it’s clear: Trump could still win In the Media - Council The Guardian 26 September 2024 Karolina Wigura on the German government’s decision to reimpose checks at its borders The Guardian 23 September 2024 Lea Ypi on British interest in the migrant pact struck between Italy and Albania Financial Times 13 September 2024 Daniela Schwarzer discusses lessons Draghi’s report on competitiveness holds for Germany T-Online 9 September 2024 Gerald Knaus criticises plans to turn away refugees at the German border Featured projects Re:Engage This project helps the EU in refining its foreign policy, re-engaging neighbours post-Russia's invasion of Ukraine to bolster regional resilience and advance enlargement policies. Featured The interest of values: The EU’s democracy promotion in the Western Balkans and the eastern neighbourhood Piotr Buras, Marie Dumoulin, Tefta Kelmendi, Marlene Marx Re:Order Re:Order project explores emerging visions of the global order, as well as the interplay between economic might and geopolitical influence. Featured Re:Order: The world after the West | podcast series Public opinion polling Through polling in EU member states, ECFR’s analysis seeks to unlock shifting coalitions in Europe that favour a more internationally engaged union Featured A crisis of one’s own: The politics of trauma in Europe’s election year Ivan Krastev, Mark Leonard Subscribe to our newsletters Be the first to know about our latest publications, podcasts, events, and job opportunities. Join our community and stay connected! Discover our newsletters Latest Value-added and value lost: The macroeconomic limits of China’s Africa strategy Theodore Murphy Commentary 3 minute read China’s overcapacity has hit Europe’s economies hard, but it is also damaging Africa’s. With both continents suffering, Africa and Europe can make common cause in confronting this mutual challenge Summit of ambition: How European and Gulf states can build a newly strategic relationship Cinzia Bianco Commentary 4 minute read From trade, to Ukraine, to Middle East conflicts, the EU and the GCC should finally grip the possibility of enhancing their relations at this month’s major summit Breaking tradition: Why Russia’s war is making Switzerland question its neutrality Ulrike Franke Commentary 3 minute read Europe’s rapidly changing geopolitical position is causing Switzerland to rethink elements of its neutrality. This dramatic break in tradition should be a warning to other European countries that the continent’s security context is less safe and less certain Victory foretold: How Europeans should respond to Tunisia’s unfair presidential election Anthony Dworkin Commentary 3 minute read Tunisia’s authoritarian president is not as secure as he seems. European leaders should refrain from rushing to congratulate his inevitable, imminent re-election Inventing NATO 3.0: Why Rutte should bridge the EU and the US for a stronger alliance Camille Grand Commentary 6 minute read NATO’s changing of the guard takes place while war rages in Ukraine and as the future of transatlantic relations remains uncertain. It will take all of new secretary general Mark Rutte’s skill to establish a stable NATO 3.0 After Nasrallah: Ways to de-escalate the burgeoning Middle East conflict Julien Barnes-Dacey, Hugh Lovatt Policy Alert 2 minute read Europeans should use their leverage with Israel and Iran to work towards regional peace In the media Our experts are available for media requests. Our work involves many issues relating to Europe and foreign policy, and our programmes focus on Africa, Asia, the Middle East & North Africa, and Wider Europe. All our experts Newsroom El Confidencial 27 October 2024 Julien Barnes-Dacey and Hugh Lovatt analyse Israel’s lack of a clear strategy to de-escalate the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon De Morgen 4 October 2024 Tobias Gehrke on the EU country vote on duties for Chinese EVs Formiche 3 October 2024 Tobias Gehrke on EU vote against electric vehicles imported from China EurActiv 3 October 2024 Janka Oertel argues that EU member states should vote in favour of imposing definitive trade tariffs on China-made electric vehicles Semafor 3 October 2024 Julien Barnes-Dacey and Cinzia Bianco on the Saudi-Iran detente Guardian 3 October 2024 Julien Barnes-Dacey and Cinzia Bianco on the Saudi-Iran detente More on Africa Beyond competition: How Europe can harness the UAE’s energy ambitions in Africa Maddalena Procopio, Corrado Čok Policy Brief The UAE has invested heavily in Africa’s energy sectors in recent years, expanding its stakes in oil and gas, and renewables. Rather than viewing the UAE as solely a rival, Europeans should pursue a strategy of “co-opetition”, balancing competition with cooperation in areas of mutual interest, to fast-track green initiatives Time for action: Envisioning a new approach to protect civilians in Sudan Amgad Fareid Eltayeb Commentary 4 minute read Deserted: Europe’s dilemma in the Sahel Will Brown Policy Alert 2 minute read More on Asia The idea of China Alicja Bachulska, Mark Leonard, Janka Oertel Book China’s ideas could become the country’s next big export. The Idea of China examines Chinese thinking about global order, AI, demographic change, and more – and considers how these ideas could influence the world Forget the bear hug: India’s gradual turn from Russia, towards the West James Crabtree Commentary 3 minute read In the same boat: Why Taiwan is strengthening ties with central and eastern Europe Alicja Bachulska Commentary 5 minute read More on European Power Hard, fast, and where it hurts: Lessons from Ukraine-related sanctions for a Taiwan conflict scenario Agathe Demarais Policy Brief In the coming years, China’s leaders could make good on their pledges to “reunify” Taiwan and the Chinese mainland by force. European policymakers need to begin preparing economic statecraft options for such a scenario – and they need to do so now In the web: How the EU can untangle global technology governance Giorgos Verdi Policy Alert 2 minute read Green team: Von der Leyen holds the future of Europe’s climate policy in her hands Mats Engström Commentary 5 minute read More on Middle East and North Africa Value for money: Why and how Europeans should support the failing economies of Egypt and Tunisia Anthony Dworkin, Camille Lons, Tarek Megerisi Policy Brief Severe weaknesses in the Egyptian and Tunisian economies provoke recurrent crises. There is a better way for Europeans to support Cairo and Tunis Beyond Netanyahu: Why Europeans need an all-of-Israel approach Hugh Lovatt Commentary 5 minute read Going ballistic: How Europeans can respond to Iranian military support for Russia Julien Barnes-Dacey Policy Alert 2 minute read More on United States Imagining Trump 2.0: Six scary policy scenarios for a second term Célia Belin, Majda Ruge, Jeremy Shapiro Policy Brief The potential return of Donald Trump to the White House is a matter of months away. Here are six scary policy scenarios to give Europeans sleepless nights and prepare them for what could be to come The US election will overturn Europe’s strategic status quo Mark Leonard Commentary 3 minute read The future of the world may depend on what a few thousand Pennsylvania voters think about their grocery bills Timothy Garton Ash Commentary View from the Council 4 minute read More on Wider Europe The interest of values: The EU’s democracy promotion in the Western Balkans and the eastern neighbourhood Piotr Buras, Marie Dumoulin, Tefta Kelmendi, Marlene Marx Policy Brief With EU enlargement back on the agenda, democracy promotion in candidate countries is a key geopolitical interest for the bloc. The EU’s previous efforts to promote democracy in the Western Balkans and eastern neighbourhood may hold valuable lessons for the years ahead Zelensky has a game-changing plan to win peace. For it to work, Biden must back it – fast Timothy Garton Ash Commentary View from the Council 4 minute read The perils of predictability: Why Putin’s tightening grip on election results will backfire Mikhail Komin Commentary 5 minute read About About us Contact us Council Events Jobs Leadership Staff Support us Region Africa Asia European Power Middle East & North Africa United States Wider Europe Analysis Policy Briefs Policy Alerts Commentaries Specials Podcasts ECFR Offices Berlin London Madrid Paris Rome Sofia Warsaw Washington Media Newsroom ECFR in the media Meet our experts Follow us Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Podcast RSS feeds Newsletters © European Council on Foreign Relations 2024 Imprint Privacy Consent Accessibility Privacy Preference We have embedded content provided by third parties on our website, such as videos or social media content. 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