International Relations

Recent articles

Böll EU Newsletter 10/2024 - After the 'super election year': A whole new world?

2024 was the year of the vote; more than 100 countries, representing nearly half of the global population, held elections this year. 2025 will be the year of political work, with governments implementing the policies and promises made. In this context, one central question is emerging: What is the role of the state and government in an era defined by profound political, economic and environmental challenges? And what capacity do governments have to deal with them?

By Roderick Kefferpütz

Events are temporarily unavailable

2024.06.27-28 Bruksela, Belgia | Szczyt Rady Europejskiej

Poland’s EU Council Presidency - What to expect?

Analysis

Poland takes on the EU Council Presidency in January 2025. What does this role mean, and what challenges lie ahead? Our latest article explores the key context and what to expect during this pivotal six-month period.

By Beata Cymerman , Agata Gontarczyk , Anna Jakubowska , Maciej Makulski , Paul Naumann and Julia Borówko

House of Lords European Affairs Committee

Out with the old: how Labour is trying to reform Britain’s flawed House of Lords

Commentary

In 2025 the last hereditary peers will leave the House of Lords. That will not be enough to satisfy its critics, writes Ros Taylor, who believe Britain’s second chamber is overstuffed with idle peers and too many cronies who were not appointed on merit.

By Ros Taylor

Lithium mining in Serbia: “An open and productive debate is not possible”

Interview

Serbia's lithium mining project in Jadar has been on hold because of mass protests against feared environmental damage. Now the EU wants to secure this lithium access for Europe - despite the political and legal conditions in Serbia. Interview with environmental and legal experts Mirko Popović and Jovan Rajić from the Renewables and Environmental Regulatory Institute (RERI).

By Katja Giebel and Tibor Moldvai

3 Questions on the US election results to Sergey Lagodinsky MEP

3 Questions

The victory of Donald Trump in the 2024 US elections will undoubtedly have consequences in transatlantic relations, from foreign and security policy to green transition and competitiveness. We asked 3 questions on the consequences of Trump 2.0 for Europe to German Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, who is a member of the EP Delegation for relations with the United States.

By Joan Lanfranco and Sergey Lagodinsky

All articles on International Relations

Events are temporarily unavailable

Related dossiers

20210514-heinrich böll infografics header icons 980x654.png

No Women - No Peace: 20 years of UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security

Dossier

On 31 October 2000, the UN Security Council adopted the Landmark Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. On its 20th anniversary, this dossier portrays women from 20 countries that make a difference in peace and security.

Related publications

Trump 2.0 and European cohesion

E-paper

This e-paper is an updated version of the publication “US elections and European cohe-sion” from October 2024 that contained scenarios for both a Harris and a Trump 2.0 administration. The initial scenarios were refined, tested and reviewed.

2024-12-19-14_40_02-bcc_invitation-list.xlsx-excel.png

What role for skills mobility in the green agri-food transition?

Policy brief

As the EU enters a new five-year cycle, its ambitious Green Deal targets and European Climate Law face growing uncertainty due to concerns over industrial competitiveness and economic growth. Additionally, backlash against the EU’s climate policies, fuelled by farmers’ protests, could hinder the promise of a just green transition. Yet, as the planet warms rapidly, climate change will continue to affect EU economic sectors, including agriculture and food. Greater climate variability and extremes will impact global food systems, posing supply chain challenges and heightening food insecurity. These trends highlight the need to invest in sustainable agri-food systems as part of climate mitigation and adaptation.

Strengthening the EU's global capacity to act

Policy Paper

The EU's reactions to the current challenges in the areas of security and trade policy highlight that a resolute and coherent common European foreign policy depends on the political will of Member States and their willingness to overcome their differences. The aim must be for Europeans to jointly consider their international commitment across different policy areas and act accordingly in a strategic manner. But the institutional reforms of the past have not provided the necessary push forward. In this sense, the recommendations for action in this paper are to be understood primarily as a call to Member States to make better use of the existing scope for action within the EU treaties.

US elections and European cohesion: Scenarios for green transitions and Transatlantic climate action

Policy Paper

The choice at the US ballot box will be a stark one for climate policies. This paper explores how the EU and its member states could adjust their climate policies, depending on the outcome of the US election.

US elections and European cohesion: Scenario implications for Ukraine and Transatlantic security

Policy Paper

The fate of Ukraine’s battlefield will be decided at the US ballot box. This paper explores how the European Union and its Member States could adjust their Ukraine and NATO policies, depending on the outcome of the US election.

Transatlantic Strategy on Critical Raw Materials

Brief

Jacob Mardell compares the US and EU strategies to ensure access to raw materials necessary for the green transition in the face of global competition and shows how these should be based on genuine and inclusive partnerships rather than just economic interests.

pdf

All publications on International Relations