Conditionality Built the Liberal Order. Now the West is Abandoning It
Western conditionality shaped how the liberal order worked. Beijing is exposing what’s left of it.
Why China Cannot be Europe’s Alternative to the US
Europe risks trading one dependency for another if it treats China as a shortcut to economic security amid U.S. trade uncertainty.
From Normative Power to Geopolitical Actor: The EU’s Strategic Shift on Syria
More than a decade after imposing sweeping sanctions on Syria, the European Union is recalibrating its approach. The easing of economic restrictions and the launch of reconstruction aid mark not only a policy shift, but a test of whether Brussels can evolve from a purely normative power into a strategic geopolitical actor.
Left in the Dark: When Looking Towards China, Europe Needs a Clear-Eyed View
Despite China’s remarkable political and economic transformation, the narrative of a ‘Communist success story’ merits far more nuance. As China’s international influence grows, Europeans must learn to better understand the Chinese model—a task for which Europe’s own past with collectivism and authoritarian can offer valuable insight.
Why Does the Netherlands Not Recognize Palestine?
Why does a country that presents itself as a global beacon of human rights and international law continue not to recognize Palestine?
Isolation Worsens: Is Israel Losing Its Western Safeguards?
For decades, Israel could count on Europe as a protective shield — a source of military aid, economic integration, and crucial diplomatic cover. But today, that shield is cracking.
Sectarian Tensions, Strategic Dilemmas: The EU and Southern Syria’s Druze–Bedouin Conflict
As Syria’s Druze and Bedouin communities engage in armed conflict in the south, regional powers and the EU are confronted with challenging decisions. Not only is Syria’s fragile stability at stake, but so too is the future of Europe’s role in a changing Middle East.
Terrorism in the Sahel: A Growing Challenge for EU Security and Migration Policies
As the Sahel is engulfed in a crisis, will Europe take a stand, or will it watch from afar as Russia and China take charge in the Sahel?
Principles or Pragmatism? The EU’s Dilemma in the Red Sea Crisis
The Red Sea crisis is testing the EU’s soft power model—can humanitarian principles alone safeguard European interests in an increasingly hard-edged world?
From Ally to Advocate: The Dutch Pivot on Israel
Epitomised by the Dutch proposal to review EU-Israel relations, the Netherlands has recently adopted a more critical stance toward Israel’s actions in Gaza.
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?
From Protector to Bystander: Understanding France’s Declining Influence in Lebanon
In recent years, Lebanon has spiraled into crisis, marked by political instability, economic collapse, and regional tensions. Once a cornerstone of French influence in the Middle East, Lebanon now stands at a crossroads. How did France, the former protectorate power that shaped Lebanon’ s modern governance, become a mere observer?
