International Relations

European and Indo-Pacific security is more intertwined than ever. The Indo-Pacific is vital to European prosperity, maritime security, and the rules-based order. While security cooperation between the two regions has increased, it remains fragmented. And that fragmentation is costly. A new Böll EU Brief by Jacob Mardell presents a new extensive dataset mapping cooperation trends over time and potential for future engagement. The data reveals a pattern of national specialisation among the European member states and preferred partners in the Indo-Pacific. But these activities have not been organised into a coherent European offer yet. Reinhard Bütikofer, Jacob Mardell, Abigaël Vasselier, Kyung Joo Jeon and Katharina Emschermann debated the geopolitical environment impacting relations between the Indo-Pacific countries and Europe, the future of their security cooperation and how to address the coordination needs.

"The international order will be rebuilt out of Europe." A striking claim from Canadian PM Mark Carney, but is it right? Our latest newsletter argues it will be rebuilt with Europe, not by it alone. Also inside: Hungary's democratic hopes after the election, our latest publications and upcoming events.

Donald Trump is once again threatening to pull the US out of NATO. But you don't need to leave an alliance to make it ineffective. For Europe, the conclusion is unavoidable: we need to stand on our own two feet. Our latest newsletter also looks at why the false hype around small modular reactors deserves serious scrutiny, and our recent content and upcoming events.

The war with Iran is exacerbating the situation in the Middle East, with no prospect of security gains. Military escalation poses significant risks to stability in the region. Europe should focus strongly on de-escalation and compliance with international law.

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. 

At February’s Munich Security Conference, Merz, Macron, von der Leyen and Co. testified to Europe's strength and independence. But concrete, independent strategies are often lacking. Europe now has the opportunity to play to its own strengths, including in the area of energy independence and sustainability.

The world around Europe is changing fast. Geopolitical shifts are challenging the international order, Russia’s war in Ukraine has upset the European security architecture. And old alliances are no longer as reliable. Faced with these challenges Europe needs to step up. But are EU decision-making mechanisms fit for purpose? The current modus operandi mostly requires consensus among the 27 Member States resulting in a slow response rate. Recent crises have thus revived calls for a “European Security Council”, an idea that has been prominently advanced by European Commissioner Kubilius. At the same time, MEP Sergey Lagodinsky has put forward a detailed institutional proposal outlining legal pathways, governance models, and safeguards for democratic legitimacy. Watch the recording of our panel discussion with EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, Dr. Rosa Balfour (Carnegie Europe) and Dr. Katharina Emschermann (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU | Global Dialogue).

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.

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.

From renewables stuck in connection queues to data centres waiting years to plug in, Europe’s power system is under strain. In this edition of 3 Questions, we speak with Elisabeth Cremona from Ember about why grids have become the backbone of EU competitiveness, security and decarbonisation.

Europe does not lack power. But too often, it lacks coherence and therefore appears weak. This contradiction became clearly visible last week. In Böll EU Newsletter 01/2026 (2.0), we take a closer look with Three Questions on the EU-Mercosur agreement, an updated dossier on EU India relations, an interview on the Democracy Shield initiative, and more.

Against the backdrop of a fragmenting trade order, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed at the World Economic Forum that Europe remains open to the world. But then, the European Parliament narrowly voted to request a legal opinion from the European Court of Justice on the EU-Mercosur agreement; a decision that could significantly delay its ratification. The vote has triggered a heated debate about Europe’s trade policy, strategic direction, and the role the Greens play in this geopolitical context. We spoke to Sven Giegold, Member of the German Green Party’s federal executive board and responsible for European coordination.

Escalating geopolitical tensions, hybrid attacks, and the climate crisis: How can democratic states and societies remain resilient and capable of action? We will discuss these questions at the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung's Annual Foreign Policy Conference on 29 January 2026.

In November, the European Commission unveiled the long-awaited Democracy Shield initiative, designed to counter threats such as disinformation and foreign interference. While it acknowledges the systemic risk European democracy faces, the Shield falls short of addressing its root causes: engagement-based algorithms, Big Tech dominance, geopolitical dependency, and deep divisions that make Europe vulnerable to polarising messages. An interview with Alexandra Geese, Green Member of the European Parliament. 

Iran is facing the most serious challenge to the regime in years. Unprecedented protests, a collapsing economy, and a brutal crackdown are pushing the system to its limits. What is happening on the ground, why this protest cycle is different, and what Europe must now do: we asked three questions to Hannah Neumann, Green MEP and Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Iran.

2026 is shaping up to be an extraordinary electoral year in Europe and for the European Greens. Opinion polls indicate that national parliamentary elections could reshape governments in countries ranging from Denmark and Latvia to Slovenia. The most consequential contest may take place in Hungary, where a potential defeat of long-time right-wing leader Viktor Orbán could result in a more assertive European Union. At the regional level, the Greens face a key test in Baden-Württemberg, where they have led the state government for more than a decade. 

Through activities such as the Global Development Initiative, China seeks to redefine concepts such as democracy and sovereignty, and garner support from countries in the Global South. India and Europe are both faced with this challenge. It is time they increased cooperation.

2026 cannot be 2025 on repeat. After a year of buying time and holding ground, Europe enters 2026 facing mounting pressure on several fronts. In this newsletter, we look ahead to the key challenges and choices that will shape the year to come, and where Europe still has room to act.

As the global order becomes increasingly multipolar, Africa has emerged as a key arena of geopolitical competition. Shifting power dynamics and the growing influence of China are pushing the European Union to rethink its engagement with the continent, while African countries seek more balanced and diversified partnerships on their own terms.

Given complex, uncertain and highly volatile global power shifts, the European Union (EU) holds an essential, though currently underutilized, role as a strategic partner for Cambodia, offering support for peace, stability, development and the defence of principle-based international relations.