The EU’s defense commissioner could address the fragmentation of Europe’s defense industry and enhance cooperation with NATO. But limited resources, member states’ reluctance, and institutional frictions may hinder progress.

Chancellor Scholz’s party secured a narrow win in the state of Brandenburg. But the victory cannot disguise Germany’s political and economic woes that also affect the EU.

Azerbaijan is in a dominant position as negotiations drag on with Armenia on normalizing relations. To advance a meaningful and sustainable settlement, the West must prioritize engagement with the region.

The world is heading into a period where foundational rules once taken for granted no longer apply. The EU urgently needs to emerge from its peace dividend softness and build a power model that allows it to shape new alliances and deter adversaries.

With its foreign policy maneuvering space increasingly constrained, Turkey’s hedging between its NATO allies and Russia will be harder to maintain.

The leaders of Kosovo and Serbia have learned how to play the West. To restore credibility, the EU and the United States should draw clear red lines and respond firmly when these are crossed.

Elections in East Germany reveal how Russia’s war on Ukraine can be exploited for political gain. Rising domestic pressures fueled by societal discontent are becoming a risk for collective Western support for Kyiv.

EU foreign policy has always been more about ambition than reality. But today’s spiraling disunity among the bloc’s members makes even that ambition an aspiration of the past.

The future of U.S.-EU ties remains uncertain after Joe Biden’s exit from the presidential race. Europe must be prepared to take charge of its own security.*

It’s that time of the year! Dip into the third and final batch of summer recommendations from Carnegie Europe’s scholars, friends, and colleagues. We hope you discover some real gems.