International Relations

Europe once set the standards the world followed. Today, others are pushing back, challenging the EU’s regulatory power and exposing its reluctance to act strategically. Our Böll EU Newsletter 11/2025 examines Europe’s shifting role in global power politics, the rise of the green euro, new debates on security and offensive capabilities, fresh insights on the MFF, and our latest work on citizen participation in the EU energy transition.

This analysis explores whether competing trade corridors can foster stability or entrench authoritarian bargains, and asks a central question: can there be lasting stability in the South Caucasus without resilient, democratic states at its core?

Green Tech has emerged as one of the defining factors in the relationship between the European Union (EU) and China, intertwining their economic ambitions and security considerations with their climate commitments.

Defence topped the October EUCO agenda. Read our Böll EU Newsletter 10/2025 for analysis on Europe’s evolving defence landscape, the political crisis in France, Czech elections, local housing solutions and our upcoming events.

Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron have repeatedly announced their intention to prioritize European security and to take a more decisive stance against Russian aggression. Yet they have failed to follow through on these pledges. Europe now needs a defence union that is worthy of the name. 

Europe’s defence landscape is shifting fast. Our new Böll EU Brief maps more than 160 defence agreements among EU countries, the UK and Ukraine – most signed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It shows how bilateral cooperation boosts trust and speed, but also risks fragmentation without an EU-level strategy.

Czechia voted for change – but what kind? Andrej Babiš makes a comeback, the Greens return to parliament, and populism takes a new shape. Adéla Jurečková, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Prague office, breaks down the results and what they mean for Czech democracy and the EU.

Moldova’s parliamentary elections on 28 September 2025 confirmed strong support for the country’s European path. With an absolute majority, the ruling PAS party now has a clear mandate to lead. Yet challenges remain, from economic uncertainty and justice reform to questions of regional security. We asked 3 questions to Robert Sperfeld, Senior Programme Officer in the East and South East Europe Division of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, on what the results reveal about voters’ priorities, the country’s reform agenda, and the implications for EU integration and relations with NATO.

Climate policy demands long-term vision, backed by action. The EU is at risk of under-delivering. Read our Böll EU Newsletter 9/2025 and check out our new content and upcoming events.

A potential U.S. force posture reduction in Europe will leave the continent vulnerable to further Russian aggression. Europe needs a bold action plan to mitigate capability gaps and ensure deterrence of Russia with limited U.S. involvement.