Research
State of the Union: Seven months into Putin's war
28 September 2022
Ursula von der Leyen has managed to keep the EU together so far. The coming months will test this unity.
Europe should not forget the challenges to its south
22 September 2022
Europeans are rightly focusing on the war in Ukraine, but they should not think they can insulate themselves from what happens to their south.
What Giorgia Meloni would mean for Europe
16 September 2022
A government led by Giorgia Meloni would lead to some turbulence between Rome and Brussels – particularly on migration and economic policy. But Italy’s EU and foreign policies – including towards Russia – are unlikely to change much.
The EU's energy plan for a difficult winter: What are the options?
09 September 2022
The European Commission’s new plan aims to cut electricity use to reduce prices and possible blackouts; to extract some of the windfall profits of energy companies; and to curb Russia’s gas revenues.
How to fix the Northern Ireland Protocol
08 September 2022
Hilary Benn MP considers the stalemate between London and Brussels over the Northern Ireland Protocol and highlights key areas where both sides can achieve a compromise.
The EU needs a bigger playing field – not a level playing field
01 September 2022
Despite appearing to be legalistic and bureaucratic, the EU’s level playing field instruments are more flexible – and can be used more strategically – than they first appear.
The EU, NATO and European security in a time of war
05 August 2022
Russia is not the only threat to European security. NATO remains essential for deterrence and defence, but the EU must also play a bigger security role.
Using sanctioned Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine will not be easy
03 August 2022
Funding Ukraine’s reconstruction with confiscated assets from Russian elites will be legally complex. Seizing Russia’s frozen foreign reserves may prove easier.
Beyond European strategic autonomy?
03 August 2022
European strategic autonomy in security and defence will remain a controversial subject, but leaving aside labels, the Ukraine war is giving fresh momentum to Europeans’ defence efforts.
The US could cope with deglobalisation. Europe couldn't
03 August 2022
True ‘deglobalisation’ – disintegration of the global economy – would be triggered by a political event, like China invading Taiwan. That would be a big problem for Europe’s economy.
Bulletin issue 145 - August/September 2022
03 August 2022
- Using sanctioned Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine will not be easy, Camino Mortera-Martinez, Zach Meyers
- Beyond European strategic autonomy?, Luigi Scazzieri
- The US could cope with deglobalisation. Europe couldn't, John Springford
Macron is serious about the 'European Political Community'
01 August 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron is committed to creating a ‘European Political Community’, distinct from the EU. European states not in the EU – including the UK – should take the concept seriously.
First help Ukraine win the war. Then help it win the peace
28 July 2022
Even a partial Russian victory in Ukraine would damage Western interests. Ukraine needs much more help to expel Russian forces, and to rebuild its infrastructure, economy and institutions afterwards.
Italy after Draghi
19 July 2022
Mario Draghi’s tenure as Italian prime minister could be ending. Draghi would leave Italy stronger than he found it, but it will be up to his successors not to squander his legacy.
The impact of the Ukraine war on global energy markets
14 July 2022
Instability in world energy markets will continue beyond the war in Ukraine. Europe will be less dependent on Russia’s fossil fuels, but a weakened Russia could still cause problems.
A G7 energy tariff on Russia would be better than a price cap
11 July 2022
A price cap on Russian oil would cut Russia’s income, but a tariff would help governments support households and businesses dealing with high energy prices.
The EU's plan to unlock industrial data needs a rethink
08 July 2022
The EU’s ambition for industry to better exploit data is a worthy and realistic one. But expanding some of the GDPR’s rules to industrial data would be a mistake.
A new EU fiscal regime could make the ECB truly independent
30 June 2022
The ECB must be free to target inflation and prevent spreads rising without encouraging fiscal irresponsibility. A new, credible fiscal regime is needed, with a permanent EU green investment fund at its centre.
Four reasons why the UK’s Northern Ireland Protocol bill is a mistake
27 June 2022
The UK promises to “fix” the Northern Ireland protocol with unilateral legislation. This will be a major step backwards in trying to resolve genuine practical problems under the protocol.
What can we know about the cost of Brexit so far?
09 June 2022
The UK's GDP is 5.2 per cent smaller than a modelled ‘doppelgänger’ UK that did not leave the EU; investment is 13.7 per cent lower, and goods trade, 13.6 per cent lower. Most of those costs are down to Brexit.