Geopolitical shifts have put into question the effectiveness of the EU’s strategic partnerships. Crises in its vicinity present the union with an opportunity to reassess this foreign policy framework.

Russia’s war on Ukraine has sparked renewed foreign policy cooperation between London and Brussels. The importance of these ties will only increase if Trump returns to the White House.

Having long neglected Latin America, the EU now seeks to strengthen its ties with the region. The Association Agreement with Mercosur provides a unique opportunity to redefine that relationship.

A new government in Bratislava risks undermining EU unity over Ukraine. Regardless of the results, the Slovak public’s growing skepticism of the West and openness toward Russia will be difficult to reverse.

The EU’s strategic autonomy ambitions have not materialised. The Union should learn from crises and reframe the concept to include clear commitments and secure all Member States’ buy-in.

Pouring money into Kais Saied’s increasingly repressive regime will not solve Tunisia’s migration problem. Rather, it could lead to instability and a further exodus of people to Europe.

Unanimity has been the default voting rule in EU foreign policymaking. Multiple crises could change that status quo.

Warsaw’s resistance to deepening European integration cannot be ignored by other EU capitals. To bridge conflicting perspectives on the Union’s future, Brussels must engage in dialogue with Poland while insisting on respect for the rule of law.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has highlighted Europe’s dependence on the United States for security. While strategic autonomy may be out of reach, the EU must work to strengthen the European pillar of NATO.

The window to stabilize the climate is rapidly closing. Negotiators at COP27 must be ready to address thorny issues and move from ambitious targets to policy implementation.

The need to militarily assist Ukraine is another incentive for better coordinating defense investment at European level. The EU’s initiatives will only deliver if member states are guided by shared considerations.

Russia’s war against Ukraine shows why NATO and the EU are both essential for European security. The two offer different yet complementary models for organising the continent’s defence.

As Russia continues its war in Ukraine, the EU’s security and defence policies are undergoing major shifts. Brussels may finally be getting real(ist) about hard power.

Emmanuel Macron’s bid to build a “Europe that protects” is not misguided; it outflanks both the siege mentality of a defensive continent and the artlessness of a defenceless one. But it will remain a mere ambition if Europe fails to protect itself.

The EU’s Eastern Partnership has brought tangible benefits to its member countries but does not reflect today’s geopolitical realities. The approaching summit is a chance to tailor the initiative to partners’ diverging needs.

Chancellor Merkel’s last official visit to the White House holds a special political significance. President Biden has placed human rights and rule of law at the top of his agenda, just as these values are under attack from within and outside Europe.

The completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline deals Russia several cards that weaken Germany, divide Europe and blackmail Ukraine. If the EU is to engage globally, it must stop serving as Moscow’s playground.