A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would “trigger a global catastrophe”
A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would “trigger a global catastrophe”, according to Taiwan’s ambassador to the EU and Belgium.
Is a new euro crisis looming?
In his weekly column N. Peter Kramer writes the interest rate differential between French, Belgian and Italian bonds and German is widening rapidly. The markets are targeting the eurozone countries with the highest debt. Is a new euro crisis looming?
The Uncomfortable Truth About EU Enlargement
Before the next wave of EU enlargement takes place, the union needs to grapple with thorny questions of how power is distributed among its members.
After the Bayeux Tapestry Why Not the Parthenon Marbles?
Britain needs friends in Europe. Finally returning the Parthenon Marbles to Athens would be a good start toward gaining one.
How the EU’s Single Market Could Unlock Enlargement
Much has been said of the changes Brussels is trying to make to the EU enlargement process. Here’s why gradual integration might—or might not—be the answer.
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German Chancellor Merz and French President Macron want an economic ‘kill switch’ against China and the US
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
In a letter to EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, Germany and France are calling for the ability to ‘completely and immediately’ exclude unfair trading partners from the European market. The logic behind this is reminiscent of the Cold War.
more on Analyses
How Le Pen Benefits from the Stalemate in Ukraine
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
The domestic impacts of how long it is taking to end the war in Ukraine have pushed the French electorate to the political extremes and compromised the country’s diplomatic capacity.
more on Analyses
Senior political figures call for speeding up of EU/UK re-set
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
A former European Union commissioner has called for a re-set of EU/UK relations to be stepped up. Danuta Hubner, also a former Polish MEP, said Brexit “is not working.”
more on Europe
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The Asian Century’s Next EU Factory
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Western capital built Romania’s first manufacturing boom. Asian capital could build the second
The End of Woke? Why Progressives Are Returning to Bread-and-Butter Politics
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
As living standards stagnate and the populist right advances, progressive parties across the US and Europe are putting wages, housing, healthcare and economic security back at the heart of politics.
A Black Sea Truce Is About Global Food Security, Too
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
A summer of escalation in the Black Sea has hurt Ukraine economically and is exacerbating world food security. A truce is needed—as is a broader reframing of Europe’s Ukraine strategy.
Clouds gather over the Aegean
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Beyond the exchange of statements, signs point to further strain in Greek-Turkish relations.
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Merz vows to fight on despite election ‘disaster’
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
German leader’s party on course for worst ever result, with AfD having surged in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and hard-Left forecast to win Berlin
more on Europe
The U.S. and China Need an AI Hotline. Here’s How to Build It.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
It should address the shortcomings of previous crisis communication efforts and adapt to the demands of frontier AI.
more on World
The US war against Iran: six months in and nothing to justify going to war thus far
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
An American historian was once asked to give a succinct judgement on the result of the Second World War. “Well”, he said, “it defeated the Nazis in Germany, the Fascists in Italy and the militarists in Japan – and never was the cause of justice more finely served”. If only it were that simple and straightforward.
more on Analyses
Beyond the Brussels Bubble: BRICS’ Expanding Power Cannot Be Ignored
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
As media attention focuses on von der Leyen’s SOTEU, the BRICS summit in New Delhi reveals how emerging powers are building an alternative centre of global influence.
more on Analyses
Restoring trust: Taiwan’s rightful place in the free world
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
The rules-based international order is under growing strain as authoritarian states seek to weaken its safeguards and reshape international rule to serve their own interests.
more on Interviews



By: N. Peter Kramer