After losing its window of opportunity to close the deal in December 2023 and with EU farmers’ protests taking over Europe, the EU-Mercosur agreement is suffering a new major setback. The slow integration process within Mercosur and the increasing rivalries and criticism within it are also influencing the outcome at the negotiating table. How does the deal’s future look like?
The Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) is Germany’s foreign intelligence service, which is seen as a transparent tool of the German republican democracy. Recently, it has faced criticism for a series of counterintelligence debacles and public debate has emerged about its effectiveness as an intelligence service. This article examines the BND’s tasks, structure, and fundamental differences compared to conventional intelligence services.
Paulina Ríos Maya and Liz Morán explore the dynamic and sometimes fraught relationship between the European youth and the EU Bubble, examining how this relationship shapes the future of the European project.
Europe’s defence and security has become the main concern of political parties and citizens. All electoral programmes contained proposals on this issue.
The cost of living crisis in Europe has been one of the most pressing concerns since 2021. Several measures by the national governments and the EU have failed to provide relief to the citizens. The main cause behind it is the divided approach of the political parties to handle the situation. Right wing parties favour competitiveness while the left argue for investment in public enterprises. For this economic crisis to be effectively dealt with, parties need to rise from their differences and work as a union to lift its people from economic and social insecurities.
The Bulgarian spiral of political instability continues. The impact of uncertainty within the fragmented political landscape on Schengen and Eurozone aspirations.
The defence has become a key issue for the EU. After Russia’s invasion old needs have resurged. The EDIS sets the defence industrial policy.
President Nauseda won re-election, yet he has little time to celebrate as Lithuania must continue to prepare for potential Russian aggression.
Central Asia is a vast and resource-rich region situated between three major centers of influence. Formerly part of both the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union, its nations have only recently gained independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. They continue to be influenced by Moscow, although they have made some significant strides towards autonomy in their own right. The Russian military’s actions in Ukraine have continuously eroded the credibility of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led military alliance. This, coupled with a significant loss of soft power in the countries of the post- Soviet space, which traditionally formed part of its sphere of influence, could create an opening for other influential actors to emerge as real alternative partners. The European Union wishes to consider an even more proactive role in Central Asia, given the young nations’ of Central Asia newfound pragmatism in foreign policy and its potential to enhance EU interests.
Slovak Prime Minister survived an assassination attempt, yet Slovak democracy is still on life support.
