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What’s needed is a revolution in the EU mindset. The last quarter-century of largely introspective policymaking has pushed external affairs to the edges. Yes, there’s the European External Action Service (EEAS) – the EU’s ‘diplomatic service’ – but it’s a Potemkin village that’s impressive yet illusory. Proof of the pudding is the EU’s lack of strategic policy stances on key questions.

Saying ’No’ to Trump must trigger tougher EU policies

Giles Merritt urges EU leaders to learn from their muddled Iran responses and adopt more proactive, and even pre-emptive, common external policies.

The war in Iran is influencing global politics well beyond the battlefield. It has reignited Europe’s energy concerns, exposed NATO and EU divisions, complicated Ukraine’s position, challenged India’s diplomacy and compelled militaries to confront the rise of asymmetric tactics threats. Of course, if the war continues for a longer period, the EU will quickly have to brace itself for the possible refugee implications.

Iran War Exposes Fault Lines in Global Politics

By: Rajnish Singh | Wednesday, March 18, 2026

From energy shocks to NATO strains, the conflict is redrawing strategic priorities far beyond the Middle East.

With the exemption, the US government is responding to the sharp rise in oil prices caused by the Iranian blockade of the Straight of Hormuz, an important strategic route for the supply of oil from the Persian Gulf. By allowing the purchase of Russian oil, the Americans hope that prices at the pump will fall.

Trump eases Russian oil sanctions, that could earn Putin billions

By: N. Peter Kramer | Monday, March 16, 2026

The US government is allowing the sale of sanctioned Russian oil for the second time. It hopes to temper the sharply rising oil price. In doing so it undermines the international sanctions against Russia.

Trump has promised that higher prices are temporary, and that by the time Americans head to the polls in November they will be more positive about the cost of living. In northern Georgia, however, voters are casting ballots in a special congressional election on Tuesday. There, the Iran war – and the danger it presents to the economy – are pressing concerns.

Mixed messages from Trump leave more questions than answers over war’s end

By: BBC News | Tuesday, March 10, 2026

President Donald Trump and his administration have so far offered mixed messages and contradictory explanations on the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. And Monday - the 10th day of an operation that has rattled allies and shaken markets - typified this confusion around the war’s timeline and ultimate goals.

At present, renewable energy accounts for 15 per cent of Taiwan’s energy mix when it should have reached 20 percent had it met agreed targets. The 20 percent target is expected to now be met by the end of this year and grow to 30 percent by 2030.

Taiwan hails EU for "leading the way" on climate adaptation

By: Martin Banks | Monday, March 2, 2026

Taiwan’s environment minister has hailed the EU as a “world leader” in tackling climate change.

The immigration issue had been one of Trump’s political strengths, but his enforcement surge in Minneapolis, which resulted in the shooting deaths of two American citizens by federal agents, has significantly eroded his standing.

Trump issues patriotic rallying cry with eye on crucial elections

By: BBC News | Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Donald Trump delivered a combative State of the Union address on Tuesday night that hailed what he said was an American "turnaround for the ages".

The United States remains essential to both Europe and India, both economically and strategically. Under Trump, however, the risk of volatility may become a permanent feature of the relationship. The EU–India FTA, on the other hand, provides a steady basis for two markets that increasingly value predictability as a competitive advantage.

The New Trade Triangle: EU–India–US

By: Rajnish Singh | Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Trump cut US tariffs on India just weeks after Brussels signed its FTA, but the EU still offers the only long-term, rules-based framework New Delhi seeks.

The Munich Security Conference organisers have published a report ahead of the event in which Tobias Bunde, the director of research & policy, says there has now been a fundamental break with US post-WW2 strategy.

Trump’s world order hangs over Europe on eve of key defence conference

By: BBC News | Tuesday, February 10, 2026

It is one year since US Vice-President JD Vance delivered a bombshell speech at the Munich Security Conference, castigating Europe for its policies on migration and free speech, and claiming the greatest threat the continent faces comes from within.

The EU-India FTA will potentially create one of the world’s biggest free trade areas, while also addressing structural issues related to the environment, intellectual property, and human rights among others.

The EU and India in Tandem

By: Carnegie - Strategic Europe | Tuesday, January 27, 2026

As European leadership prepares for the sixteenth EU-India Summit, both sides must reckon with trade-offs in order to secure a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement.

Brazil has spent decades cultivating a diplomatic identity built on dialogue, mediation, and strategic autonomy. It is one of the rare actors able to speak credibly with Washington and Beijing, with Brussels and Moscow, with democracies and non-democracies alike. This is not fence-sitting. It is bridge-building.

Why Brazil Has the Soft Power and Gravitas to Lead the Global South

By: Radu Magdin | Friday, January 9, 2026

In an increasingly fragmented world, leadership is no longer defined solely by military power, GDP size, or the ability to coerce. It is defined by credibility, cultural resonance, diplomatic legitimacy, and the capacity to convene without intimidating. By these standards, Brazil stands out as one of the few countries with the soft power and gravitas required to credibly lead the Global South.

Chávez’s death in 2013 briefly opened space for reassessment, but suspicion endured. Donald Trump’s first presidency removed any remaining ambiguity, recasting Venezuela as a criminal state and openly discussing regime change.

Venezuela’s Crisis Is No Accident: How Oil and Intervention Shaped a State

By: The Globalist | Monday, January 5, 2026

How Chávez’s unfinished revolution, U.S. interventionism and strategic oil politics culminated in the 2026 capture of Nicolás Maduro.

The overpowering role of the U.S. economy, if run by a nationalist, is similarly harmful to much of the world. Maybe there are workarounds, but they too are longer term and meanwhile it is what it is.

From a Rule-Based World to a Ruler-Based One?

By: The Globalist | Wednesday, December 10, 2025

How the erosion of the rule of law is reshaping global order.

Government, civil society, the education sector, healthcare professionals and other duty bearers should work together to build community awareness about the harms and legal consequences of child marriage and provide comprehensive support for survivors and those at risk.

The Climate Crisis is a Threat Multiplier for Girls

By: The Globalist | Tuesday, December 9, 2025

The challenge is to initiate measures to strengthen the protection, participation and visibility of women and girls within the realm of climate policy.

Last week Syria saw twenty-four hours of uninterrupted electricity for the first time in two decades. Even the fiercest critics will pause if basic services improve. Legitimacy begins there.

Is Syria’s New Leader Working with a Turkish Toolkit?

By: The Globalist | Monday, December 1, 2025

Syria’s new government draws on the development and control model which Erdogan has long used in Turkey. Will this work? And what about democracy?

“What Sudan needs now is an immediate end to hostilities, full humanitarian access, and a credible path back towards democracy. Europe must step up its humanitarian support for the Sudanese people and remain unwavering in demanding accountability for all violations of international and humanitarian law."

Sudan in line for fresh EU humanitarian aid

By: EBR | Wednesday, November 26, 2025

The European Commission has announced that it will provide €35m in humanitarian aid to war-torn Sudan.

The speech was the keynote address of the fifth Summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China which, this year,was held in Brussels.

Taiwan is a "victim of coercion", VP Hsiao Bi-khim tells EP

By: EBR | Monday, November 10, 2025

A senior Taiwan government minister has become the first to give a speech in a foreign parliament.

Taiwan officially launched its carbon fee system this year as well as pilot reporting. The fee was initially set at approximately US$10 per metric ton CO2e. Establishing a national carbon price is a new milestone.

Taiwan’s participation in the “Global Mutirao” on climate transition

By: EBR | Thursday, November 6, 2025

Aligning with the world to confront climate risks while energizing broad participation to achieve sustainable development.

China has agreed to suspend export control measures it had placed on rare earths, crucial for the production of everything from smartphones to fighter jets. This has been seen as a key win for Trump from his meeting with Xi.

Trump hailed ’amazing’ meeting with China’s Xi but no formal trade deal agreed

By: BBC News | Monday, November 3, 2025

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have met for the first time in six years - raising hopes for a de-escalation of tensions between the world’s two biggest economies.

With China currently controlling over 90% of global rare earth processing, its threat to tighten exports earlier this year sent shockwaves through Washington.

Rare Earths and Global Diplomacy: How They’re Shaping Trade and Power

By: EBR | Wednesday, October 29, 2025

The scramble for rare earths is not only driving Trump’s diplomacy with Xi, but also redefining global trade alliances.

European ministers held talks in Brussels on Thursday about how billions of euros worth of frozen Russian cash could be made available to Ukraine as a so-called "reparations loan".

EU fails to back frozen Russian cash loan - but vows to support Ukraine

By: BBC News | Monday, October 27, 2025

EU leaders have agreed to help support Ukraine’s "financial needs" for the next two years - but stopped short of releasing billions of euros in frozen Russian cash to help fund the country’s defence last Thursday night.

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EU Actually

Referendum defeat rubbed off the shine of Meloni and her government

By: N. Peter Kramer

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has lost a referendum on a constitutional reform which had turned into a vote on her government.

Europe

European Parliament gives conditional approval to EU-US trade deal

The European Parliament has backed legislation to implement an EU-US trade deal, following months of uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.

Business

Romania’s Upgrade: From EU/CEE Manufacturing Base to Emerging Innovation Hub

For much of the past two decades, Romania has been described—accurately, but with growing inadequacy—as one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most competitive manufacturing platforms.