The Alawites of Syria: A Sectarian Minority at the Crossroads of Regional Power Struggles
The fall of Assad has left Syria’s Alawite minority—long the regime’s backbone—facing an uncertain future, with EU engagement now crucial to shaping post-Assad stability and regional dynamics.
France Under Pressure: Analyzing the Economic Impact of US Tariffs
The recent application of broad US tariffs aimed at European goods runs the danger of upsetting strategic French sectors and changing transatlantic trade dynamics. While business leaders caution of possible recession hazards, France’s government has demanded a forceful reaction.
Hungary’s Eastern Turn: Moscow’s Growing Influence, and Budapest’s Rift With Its Western Allies
As Hungary becomes the outcast of Europe, Orbán’s government strengthens ties with Russia and cracks down on civil rights. The influence of China and Moscow increases, and the rule of law concerns continue to grow.
The EU AI Act’s Copyright Loophole: A Threat to Creative Rights?
As generative AI reshapes creative industries, the EU’s AI Act is facing criticism for leaving copyright protection behind. Can Europe safeguard its cultural heritage without hurting innovation?
Can Ekrem Imamoğlu, Istanbul’s Imprisoned Mayor, Become a Turkish Nelson Mandela?
Türkiye had been singing the song “Go West” for centuries. Now the country is nearing a point of no return. At this critical juncture, Türkiye will either join the league of Asian autocracies, or change its course back to European oriented democratic tradition.
Wilders to Trump: The Dutch and US Populist Approaches to the Ukrainian Conflict
The United States and the Netherlands, both key Western allies, have played significant roles in supporting Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. As the U.S. recalibrates its stance on Ukraine—debating military aid, economic support, and long-term strategic commitments—populist movements on both sides of the Atlantic are influencing the conversation.
Tariff Wars: A Strategic Opportunity Brewing?
With the start of a second Trump presidency, a previously thought-to-be-buried trade strategy has reemerged: a tariff-first approach back on the table of EU-US Trade relations.
The TUSIAD Case: The Inevitable Divorce of Erdoğan and Türkiye’s Business Elites
What began as a strong partnership between TUSIAD, Türkiye’s largest business organisation, and the AK Party’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has turned into a fierce political rift, with the business elite now facing trial for criticising the leader they once fervently supported.
Could DeepSeek Help Europe to Close the AI Innovation Gap?
With the EU shifting its focus from regulation to innovation, could the AI competition disruption be the opportunity the EU needs to close the innovation gap?
Hezbollah’s Decline: A Window for EU Engagement in Lebanon and Its Impact on EU-Iran Ties
As Hezbollah navigates shifting Middle Eastern power dynamics after Assad’s collapse, its role as Iran’s proxy challenges EU foreign policy. How can the EU exploit Hezbollah’s weakness to influence its ties with Iran and the region?
Post-COP29: The EU’s Pursuit of a Unified Digital Climate Strategy
As the climate crisis grows, digital technology drives change. After COP29, can the EU unify its digital and climate goals?
The Beginning of the End? Hungary’s Reshaped Political Landscape and Economic Crisis
The unfolding crises in Orbán’s Hungary: a crumbling economy, political scandals and the swift rise of the opposition.
