Articles

What von der Leyen’s State of the Union says about the state of EU foreign and security policy.

Itamaraty, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is believed to be one of the most professional diplomatic bodies within Latin America, especially significant considering its relative autonomy from the executive. Nevertheless, the next Brazilian presidential elections could have a dramatic effect on its diplomacy and foreign policy. In recent years, Brazil has embraced multipolarity, but a conservative president could easily transform the international projection of this South American giant. 

Two paradoxes stand out in relation to gender and Brazil’s 2026 elections. First, while women are central as voters, they remain markedly underrepresented in political institutions. Second, despite persistent gender-based violence and gender inequalities in Brazil, progressive forces struggle to expand their appeal among women, while the (far) right experiences growing support among segments of this decisive group. This analysis explores the two paradoxes and offers reflections on potential implications of the upcoming elections for both gender equality in Brazil and EU–Brazil relations.

Geopolitical pressures, energy shocks and the soaring cost of living have heightened the urgency of deeply transforming the economic system, alongside the imperative of enabling a good life within planetary boundaries. Yet the green transition must happen by design, not by accident, to deliver social justice. 

Die internationale Ordnung ist im Umbruch. Russlands Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine stellt Europa vor historische Herausforderungen und wirft grundlegende Fragen auf nach Abschreckung, Verteidigungsfähigkeit und langfristiger Stabilität. Gleichzeitig erhöhen neue geopolitische Rivalitäten, wirtschaftliche Abhängigkeiten und globale Krisen den Druck auf die Europäische Union, strategisch handlungsfähiger zu werden. Insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund einer Neuausrichtung der US-amerikanischen Außenpolitik. Über diese Entwicklungen sprach am 22. September 2026 Robert Habeck, Vizekanzler und Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz a.D. (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) mit Helga Schmidt, Journalistin und ehemalige Leiterin des ARD-Studios in Brüssel (Hörfunk). Im Mittelpunkt standen dabei zentrale Fragen für die Zukunft Europas: Welche Rolle kann und sollte Europa in Zeiten wachsender geopolitischer Spannungen einnehmen? Wie kann die EU ihre Sicherheit, Interessen und Werte wirksam schützen, und mit welchen Partnern?

The Berlin election has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with the fringes gaining strength whilst the centre erodes. Surprisingly, The Left has emerged as the strongest force. The Greens have fallen short of their election target and lost key districts, but are playing a central role in the formation of the government.

The candidate makes all the difference; the CDU finds itself outside parliament for the first time the Greens secure their place in the state parliament and are highly likely to become a governing party. The AfD becomes the strongest force and the sole opposition party.

South Korea faces growing vulnerability as US resolve wavers across Asia and Europe alike, most starkly on the volatile Korean Peninsula. After June 2026 EU-South Korea summit's pledge to deepen their strategic partnership, it's time for both sides to act, turning shared commitment into concrete steps that strengthen mutual security.

Good news: Wind power is now the most important source of electricity in Germany. Twenty years ago, no one would have imagined this. There's still more to come.