International Relations

Photo series: The Cruzada São Sebastião in Rio de Janeiro

Thousands of people live cheek by jowl in the Cruzada São Sebastião housing project. The coronavirus pandemic has hit them especially hard. Most of them were already living under tough economic conditions and now many of them have lost their jobs. The Afro-Brazilian population has been disproportionately affected by the virus, with racism and inequality thrown into even sharper relief by the pandemic. This is also the experience of the residents of Cruzada São Sebastião.

Colombian politics and Chinese debt: What (if any) role for the EU?

Analysis

In an attempt to diversify its global partnerships, Colombia has increased relations with China. While this has opened alternative sources of financing for major infrastructure projects, the ensuing debt with China involves risks in need of mitigation. EU Member States, as like-minded countries, can play a role in this balancing-act.

Maria Paula González

Node is lost

Böll EU Newsletter 02/2026 - Political spring blossoms? Signs of a more assertive Europe

Newsletter

Signs of a more assertive Europe emerge through flexible coalitions, enhanced cooperation, and renewed political confidence in Brussels. In our Böll EU Newsletter 02/2026 we look at at emerging “coalitions of the willing”, debates on pragmatic federalism, and proposals for a European Security Council, as well as our recent publications and upcoming events.

Roderick Kefferpütz

A new free trade for a new era

Presidents’ column

The EU and India have signed a historic free trade agreement. What is needed now is an active, long-term, progressive trade strategy. This must put goals such as sustainability, security, and partnerships between equals at the forefront.

Imme Scholz, Jan Philipp Albrecht

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Latest Publications

The European Pillar in NATO: From Hollow to Concrete

Policy Paper

It is near consensual among Europeans that they need to strengthen the ‘European pillar in NATO’. This study traces the evolution of the concept of the European pillar, delineates potential meaning, and spells out what it would take to operationalize it.

Dr. Leonard Schütte

Sustainability for Resilience

E-paper

At the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, allies pledged to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035 – including 1.5% for resilience and security-related investment. Yet what counts towards this 1.5% remains unclear. As European governments face mounting fiscal pressure, funds must be spent wisely. Strategic investment in infrastructure, rail, clean energy, resilient supply chains and nature restoration could reinforce deterrence, strengthen economic competitiveness and address climate and biodiversity risks in tandem.

Dan Marks, Ed Arnold

Navigating a Strategic Dilemma: Germany's Defense Procurement amid Transatlantic Uncertainty

Report

As the relationship with the U.S. government is fundamentally shifting, Germany faces a critical choice between deepening transatlantic defense procurement or seizing the moment to build out Europe's defense-tech ecosystem.

Dominik Tolksdorf

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