Die USA priorisieren aktuell ihre außenpolitische Haltung vollständig neu. Das zwingt auch die EU zu einem fundamentalen Umdenken. Die neue US-Sicherheitsstrategie definiert neue Leitbilder und stellt die eigene Souveränität und ökonomische Schlagkraft in den Mittelpunkt. Wie geht Europa mit den Veränderungen um?
In Ukraine’s occupied territories, coordinated civilian and military resistance movements conduct sabotage, gather intelligence, and defend national identity – forming a vital, often unseen front in the fight for sovereignty. The Kazakh phrase Qandy Qantar (Bloody January) is used by Kazakh civil society and media to refer to the violent crackdown of those protests. The name signals the tragedy of the events, calls for justice, and emphasizes the ongoing demand that the victims must not be forgotten. Even though the protests seem to have been ignored by many in Europe, they have ongoing consequences for the civil society in Kazakhstan, because what followed was not reform — it was repression and a consolidation of power.
In January 2022, Kazakhstan faced its most violent domestic crisis since the end of the Soviet era. While the protests initially focused on rising fuel prices, they soon evolved into a broader rejection of authoritarianism.
The Kazakh phrase Qandy Qantar (Bloody January) is used by Kazakh civil society and media to refer to the violent crackdown of those protests. The name signals the tragedy of the events, calls for justice, and emphasizes the ongoing demand that the victims must not be forgotten. Even though the protests seem to have been ignored by many in Europe, they have ongoing consequences for the civil society in Kazakhstan, because what followed was not reform — it was repression and a consolidation of power.
The popularization of far-right radical ideas among some migrant communities has become widespread in multiple countries across the West (and not only), the most popular example probably being the “Latinos for Trump” movement. Other examples are the Russian and Turkish communities in Germany. This is not a coincidence, as malign domestic and foreign actors have been using hybrid warfare tactics for years, trying to lower trust in democratic institutions and creating divisions across society. Migrants are one overlooked target of this hybrid warfare.
Welcome back to the latest edition of our nEUrds newsletter, where we dive deep into the riveting world of European economic policy with a twist of wit and a dash of insight. This time, we take a closer look at the latest developments in international trade. The EU is currently considering sanctions against Israel, which could include the suspension of trade concessions. At the same time, the EU is seeking to strengthen global partnerships and has just concluded its largest Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to date with Indonesia. Finally, there is news on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): the European Parliament has approved a new simplification of the scheme.
Over 200 days of protests in Serbia and Georgia show determination, but key demands remain unmet. Should movements contest elections or keep challenging authoritarian regimes from the streets?
Welcome back to the latest edition of our nEUrds newsletter, where we dive deep into the riveting world of European economic policy with a twist of wit and a dash of insight.This time around, we break down the European Commission’s country‐specific analyses on each member’s fiscal headaches and bespoke public‐finance prescriptions, before zeroing in on the ECB’s latest quarter‐point cut to its deposit rate; unveil the EU’s ambitious rebrand of its securitization and retail investment markets; track the back‐and‐forth over the upcoming 18th Russia sanctions package; review fresh EU–US tariff tête-à-têtes; and close with defence developments. Plus, don’t miss our „Crystal Ball Gazing“ for a glimpse into the future, and „Page Turners and Screen Burners“ for your next favorite read.
Welcome back to the latest edition of our nEUrds newsletter, where we dive deep into the riveting world of European economic policy with a twist of wit and a dash of insight.This time around, we break down the European Commission’s country‐specific analyses on each member’s fiscal headaches and bespoke public‐finance prescriptions, before zeroing in on the ECB’s latest quarter‐point cut to its deposit rate; unveil the EU’s ambitious rebrand of its securitization and retail investment markets; track the back‐and‐forth over the upcoming 18th Russia sanctions package; review fresh EU–US tariff tête-à-têtes; and close with defence developments. Plus, don’t miss our „Crystal Ball Gazing“ for a glimpse into the future, and „Page Turners and Screen Burners“ for your next favorite read.
Georgia has been in a protracted crisis since the parliamentary elections in October 2024. Once a pioneer of democratic reforms in the post-Soviet region, the country has become increasingly authoritarian under the current government and has turned its back on the West. While the Georgian government has suspended EU accession talks until at least 2028, public sentiment remains overwhelmingly pro-European, with civil society mobilizing in protests against the government’s increasingly authoritarian trajectory. Despite the repression, public opposition remains strong. Georgia is at a crucial point that will influence the future direction of the country: Either it follows the Euro-Atlantic path, or it falls even more under Moscow’s influence.
Welcome back to the latest edition of our nEUrds newsletter, where we dive deep into the riveting world of European economic policy with a twist of wit and a dash of insight.This time around, we break down the European Commission’s country‐specific analyses on each member’s fiscal headaches and bespoke public‐finance prescriptions, before zeroing in on the ECB’s latest quarter‐point cut to its deposit rate; unveil the EU’s ambitious rebrand of its securitization and retail investment markets; track the back‐and‐forth over the upcoming 18th Russia sanctions package; review fresh EU–US tariff tête-à-têtes; and close with defence developments. Plus, don’t miss our „Crystal Ball Gazing“ for a glimpse into the future, and „Page Turners and Screen Burners“ for your next favorite read.
This week, we unpack the historic first post-Brexit UK-EU Summit – where leaders paved a “new chapter” with sweeping deals on fisheries, a streamlined sanitary and phytosanitary framework, and a landmark security & defence partnership – before decoding who really won (and lost) in the “grab bag” of agreements; we then turn to the EU’s 17th Russia sanctions package, the Commission’s plan to tame the flood of ultra-fast-fashion parcels with new handling fees, and the latest Trump-era tariff theatrics; finally, we spotlight the €150 billion SAFE arms-loan fund approved under the “ReArm Europe” push and consider what’s next for transatlantic and pan-European defence cooperation.
The results of Romania’s 2024 first presidential round were not only a shock to the more reliable polling institutes inside the country, but were likewise a surprise for politicians, journalists and observers in the country and abroad. Most googled question of November 24: Who is Călin Georgescu? This is not only a story about foreign interference and online disinformation. It is also a story about millions of Romanians living abroad, long marginalised in national discourse, and now increasingly shaping the country’s democratic trajectory.
Eastern Europe and Central Asia are often overlooked in discussions on democratic resilience, yet the region has become a frontline of resistance against authoritarianism and neo-imperialism. From Ukraine’s defiance of Russian aggression to grassroots movements in Georgia and Belarus, these examples demonstrate how lived histories of oppression fuel both pragmatic and idealistic struggles for democracy. This blog series highlights evolving, people-led forms of resistance that challenge unjust power and offer valuable lessons for global efforts to defend democratic values today.
What happens when stability is prioritized over democracy? Can environmental and social justice thrive under authoritarian regimes? These were some of the questions raised on November 24, 2024, during our event Walls and Bridges: The EU and its Neighbourhood in the Era of Strongmen. We discussed them with Natalija Stojmenović, a Serbian MP (Zeleno-Levi Front … Weiterlesen …
EU elections should focus on Europe, but they tend to be hijacked by national agendas. The 2024 election nights in France and Germany reveal who should take steps to make the elections more European. by Sebastian Emde Over 40 years ago, Karlheinz Reif and Hermann Schmitt described European elections as „second-order national elections„. … Weiterlesen …
Die bevorstehende Europawahl stellt einen entscheidenden Moment für die politische Landschaft Europas dar. In einer Zeit, in der die Europäische Union mit zahlreichen Herausforderungen konfrontiert ist – vom russischen Angriffskrieg auf die Ukraine über den Klimawandel bis hin zu geopolitischen Spannungen – ist die wirtschaftspolitische Ausrichtung der verschiedenen Parteien von besonderer Bedeutung. Die Wahlprogramme der … Weiterlesen …
Written By Lukas Seelig (LS), edited by Moritz Pohl (MP) coming to you from Polis180’s “European Economic Policy” programme inviting you to subscribe for free by dropping us a line here or an Instagram-DM here. Hey there, curious minds and all-around Brussels enthusiasts! Welcome back to the latest edition of our nEUrds newsletter, … Weiterlesen …
Written By Lukas Seelig, Janik Gast and Moritz Pohl coming to you from Polis180’s “European Economic Policy” programme inviting you to subscribe for free by dropping us a line here! Hello there and welcome back, curious minds and all-around Brussels enthusiasts! Welcome back to the latest edition of our nEUrds newsletter, where we … Weiterlesen …
A conventional wisdom states that “generals are always prepared to fight the last war”. With very little media attention, the Bundeswehr announced arguably the most significant organisational changes since the end of conscription. This article is going to explore the introduction of the “Mittlere Kräfte” in the context of the changing security environment of the … Weiterlesen …
Written By Lukas Seelig, Janik Gast and Moritz Pohl coming to you from Polis180’s “European Economic Policy” programme inviting you to subscribe for free by dropping us a line here! Hello there and welcome back, curious minds and all-around Brussels enthusiasts! As we embark on another whirlwind year, 2024 is already shaping up … Weiterlesen …
We’re joined by Ruud Kempener from Commissioner Kadri Simson’s cabinet, offering unique insights into the continent’s hydrogen landscape. Our conversation takes you on a journey through Europe’s ambitious efforts to bolster its hydrogen economy. Explore the legislative initiatives that are driving change and the innovative markets emerging from these endeavors, including the significant role played by the European Hydrogen Bank.
Written By Lukas Seelig and Moritz Pohl 05.10.23 coming to you from Polis180’s “European Economic Policy” programme inviting you to subscribe for free by dropping us a line here! Hello there and welcome back, curious minds and all-around Brussels enthusiasts! We’re excited to roll out the second edition of our „nEUrds“ newsletter, … Weiterlesen …
In dieser Podcast-Folge des “Brüsseler Bahnhofs” dreht sich alles um Wasserstoff als Energieträger der Zukunft. Hierzu gibt Cara Bien, Energiereferentin des Bundesverbandes der Deutschen Industrie, Einblicke in die Bedeutung der Nationalen Wasserstoffstrategie und die verschiedenen Umstellungen und Herausforderungen die die deutsche und europäische Wirtschaft erwarten.
by Lukas Seelig, Janik Gast and Moritz Pohl, coming to you from Polis180’s “European Economic Policy” programme, inviting you to subscribe for free by dropping us a line here Hey there, curious minds and all-around Brussels enthusiasts! Welcome to our debut “nEUrds” newsletter [pronounced same as nerds] – a fresh adventure through … Weiterlesen …
Entdecke in dieser neuen Podcast-Folge des “Brüsseler Bahnhofs” die faszinierende Welt des Handelsabkommens zwischen der EU und Kanada, besser bekannt als CETA und tauche ein in die tiefgründigen Dimensionen dieses Abkommens, sowohl auf europäischer als auch auf nationaler Ebene.
In recent years, migration politics and policymaking in the EU has been overly focused on irregular migration and asylum. A nearly exclusive policy focus on reinforcing ‘Fortress Europe’ to keep people out is unsustainable and undesirable. A shift in policy focus to offering legal pathways to much-needed labour migrants from third countries to enter the … Weiterlesen …
This paper is part of a series of papers highlighting fields of innovation in the creative industries with political impact and how they can be supported politically. They were created in the context of the project Digitizing Creative Industries, in which five innovation projects from Europe were supported in an accelerator program with mentoring, innovation … Weiterlesen …
This paper is part of a series of papers highlighting fields of innovation in the creative industries with political impact and how they can be supported politically. They were created in the context of the project Digitizing Creative Industries, in which five innovation projects from Europe were supported in an accelerator program with mentoring, innovation … Weiterlesen …
This paper is part of a series of papers highlighting fields of innovation in the creative industries with political impact and how they can be supported politically. They were created in the context of the project Digitizing Creative Industries, in which five innovation projects from Europe were supported in an accelerator program with mentoring, innovation workshops … Weiterlesen …
This paper is part of a series of papers highlighting fields of innovation in the creative industries with political impact and how they can be supported politically. They were created in the context of the project Digitizing Creative Industries, in which five innovation projects from Europe were supported in an accelerator program with mentoring, innovation workshops … Weiterlesen …