US Security Focus on China

Despite the gravity of the war in Ukraine, the focus of the new US National Security Strategy is China. The document says plenty about the importance of technology, but ignores the relevance of trade to national security, writes Carl Bildt. The National Security Strategy (NSS) issued by each US administration is always a key document. It…

What to Expect with Lula as President of Brazil

Lula elected President in Brazil

Lula was elected president with a tight result in a divided and polarised Brazil, along with the most centre-right Congress since 1988. The economy is stagnant and expectations are high. His challenge will now be to stabilise democracy, build economic credibility, put Brazil back at the international stage and reconstruct the environmental and social agenda…

EU-Namibia Partnership

President von der Leyen and President Geingob

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of Namibia Hage Geingob have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership between the EU and Namibia at the COP27 in Egypt. The partnership aims to ensure the development of a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials, refined materials and renewable hydrogen to support the…

Don’t Pull the Plug on Christmas

Blackpool Illuminations

The global energy crisis has forced many to pull the plug on festive Christmas celebrations this year. The spiralling cost of energy means Christmas decorations in towns and cities in Belgium will not have quite the same sparkle in 2022. But there is one town that can guarantee a lights show that is as spectacular…

Russia-Iran Missile Deal

Russia and Iran Concluded an Agreement on the Supply of 1,000 New Long-Range Missiles: Putin Is Forming a New Contour of the War with Ukraine; the Democratic World Must Prevent This in Order to Defeat the New Axis of Evil Iran is preparing to send about a thousand additional weapons to Russia, including short-range surface-to-surface…

Post-Russia: what happens after Ukraine wins

What are the advantages and disadvantages of possible future scenarios for Russia, proposed by various communities. Over the past couple of months, several large-scale discussions about the possible future of Russia have taken place in the information space. All these discussions are united by a single vision of where this future begins. Almost everyone who…

How to help Ukraine now?

Russian Missile Strikes in Ukraine

In Ukraine, one in three power plants have been destroyed. There are constant interruptions in electricity and water supply. In many cities and towns electricity is cut off for several hours every day. Ukrainian authorities together with local communities are trying to counteract this: heating locations in cities are being installed, a large number of…

Balkan Assistance Package

Balkan Border Control

The Commission has adopted a recommendation to the Council to authorise the opening of negotiations of upgraded European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s (Frontex) status agreements between the EU and Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, as well as with Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The Commission is also adopting a new assistance package worth €39.2 million under the Instrument for…

Uzbekistan expands cooperation between Europe and Central Asia

Uzbekistan and EU

Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the EU already has a long history. Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the EU has been developing especially dynamically in recent years, writes Obid Khakimov. In April 2020, August 2021 and July 2022, telephone talks were held between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the European Council…