The global order is shifting. Old certainties are crumbling, and the structures that once upheld stability are being tested, eroded, or dismantled. In this moment of flux, the question is: who will hold the line?
The European Union, long seen as a regulatory power, is now emerging as something more: a potential stabiliser in an age of uncertainty. This shift is most visible in foreign policy, security, and defence. The ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 package, the White Paper on European Defence, and Germany’s increased defence spending all signal this transformation. In our latest webinar on EU security and defence – featuring experts from Washington DC, Warsaw, and Berlin – we dissected these developments and their implications.
The EU is also expanding its international engagement. Next week, it will hold its first-ever summit with Central Asian leaders, following the first bilateral EU-South Africa summit in seven years, which took place just two weeks ago. Earlier this year, the European Commission visited India, convening the India-EU Trade and Technology Council and advancing discussions on a free trade agreement. It was also the first time the full College of Commissioners visited a third country together. In this context, I invite you to explore our new EU-India dossier, which compiles our work in this field.
As part of the EU’s global engagement, we are closely following key elections worldwide with our new podcast series, hosted by Joan Lanfranco. These democratic moments shape the broader geopolitical landscape in which the EU operates. Our series, which already covers elections in Kosovo and Germany, unpacks their impact, potential consequences for the EU, and broader political trends. We are also following developments in Turkey, after days of demonstrations triggered by the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Read our 3 Questions to Dawid Bartelt, director of our Istanbul office.
Another critical front where the EU’s leadership is being tested is the digital realm. The EU has taken the lead in setting global standards, from GDPR to the AI Act – often to the frustration of the United States. On 1 April, our Washington DC office will host a webinar on the growing digital divide between the EU and the US, examining what the rise of the US tech right means for the future of transatlantic relations.
To understand how EU digital regulations impact daily life and why they are relevant, you can listen to a recent podcast featuring Zora Siebert, our Head of Programme for EU Democracy and Digital Policy. Additionally, as the EU looks into the sustainability of the digital sector, I encourage you to read our new article, “Towards Planet-Proof Computing”, which outlines ten key elements that should guide EU data centre sustainability policies, ensuring digital infrastructure is part of the climate solution, not the problem.
Finally, in this era of digital disruption and disinformation, we are proud to have joined the Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD) coalition, a network of over 50 leading climate and anti-disinformation organisations working to safeguard public debate.
As the EU navigates an era of geopolitical shifts, digital challenges, and global uncertainty, we are committed to fostering informed debate and shaping sustainable solutions. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Read more in our Böll EU 3/2025 Newsletter!
Warm regards,
Roderick Kefferpütz, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
