2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
May
Adiós, 'grandeur', adiós (Cristina Manzano, El Periódico)
05/05/2012Who cares about EU defense policy? (Daniel Keohane, IP Journal)
05/05/2012April
Mal inicio para la nueva diplomacia comercial (Cristina Manzano, El Periódico)
18/04/2012Iran: "Freeze but recognise" (Daniel Keohane, European Geostrategy blog)
13/04/2012Daniel Keohane, head of strategic affairs at FRIDE and Walter Posch at the SWP in Berlin propose a new diplomatic formula – freeze but recognise – to resolve the Iranian impasse.
Reintegrating Myanmar (Richard Youngs; Gauri Khandekar, EU Observer)
11/04/2012The recent parliamentary by-elections in Myanmar were a litmus test for the country's transition to democracy and the regime's commitment to reform.
March
Spain needs a global strategy, not a branding exercise (Manuel Manrique, New Europe)
25/03/2012Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is about to celebrate 100 days in office. Difficult months lie ahead. As the effects of austerity begin to show, domestic opposition could increase. Trade unions have already called for a general strike on 29 March.
Spain in need of a second 'Moncloa pact' (Cristina Manzano, EurActiv)
19/03/2012At a time of crisis and rampant unemployment, what Spain needs is a wide political consensus among the political parties and the social partners.
Unfinished international justice (Cristina Barrios, FP en español)
15/03/2012On 14 March 2012, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced its first ruling since its inception. Thomas Lubanga has been found guilty of training and using child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Stop this madness (Cristina Manzano, El Periódico. España)
13/03/2012In the past year, almost 7,500 have died in Syria. Amidst mutual accusations, neither the dictator Bashar al Assad nor the opposition is willingly to cede.
The G20 and the Think20 (Giovanni Grevi, La Celosía)
07/03/2012Effective global governance frameworks require the sustained engagement of non-state actors that can bring ideas, expertise, legitimacy and resources. The G20 has engaged a growing range of non-state actors through the B20 (business), the L20 (trade unions) and various meetings with civil society organisations.
Syria: Arab war-drums and EU shyness (Hélène Michou, EUObserver)
01/03/2012As the Syrian conflict escalates, Gulf Arab states are calling for arming the opposition, while the West is proving more cautious, announcing increases in humanitarian aid and upgrading rhetorical condemnation.
Geoeconomics is back in Europe (Ana Martiningui, FP en español)
01/03/2012In 2012, the EU’s agenda will be marked by the use of political means to achieve economic objectives and a greater control over resources. But Europe should not forget other key issues such as global governance.
Is the EU trading foreign policy for commercial gain? (Daniel Keohane; Richard Youngs, ESharp)
01/03/2012The economic crisis is changing Europe’s external policies. While the bulk of European prosperity continues to depend on internal trade, cash-strapped EU governments are looking more and more at the emerging economies.
February
Lowering the bar in Yemen (Ana Echagüe, New Europe)
26/02/2012US president Barak Obama has recently expressed his optimism about Yemen emerging as a model for peaceful transitions in the Middle East. But is a single candidate election brokered by outside powers and force-fed by the UN a model to be replicated?
EU must handle Hungary problem 'with care' (Balazs Jarabik, Public Service Europe)
23/02/2012Many of the steps recently taken by Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban have been undemocratic, but Orban has genuine support from the majority of Hungarians, who believe that the country is on the wrong track and needs deep reforms.
EU-India: Getting the bilateral compact right (Gauri Khandekar, EurActiv)
14/02/2012Political relations between the EU and India have been under-performing. Low levels of mutual understanding and political presence in particular have been key factors. The EU-India summit this year was important, but controversies remain.
What holds the Syrian regime in power? (Barah Mikail , FP en español)
14/02/2012Unlike his counterparts in Tunisia and Egypt, Syria’s Bachar al-Assad remains in power, while government repression and violence escalates dramatically. FRIDE expert Barah Mikail analyses the reasons for al-Assad’s apparent immunity.
Arab spring: EU influence at risk (Kristina Kausch, EUObserver)
13/02/2012After the first anniversary of the fall of Hosni Mubarak, people are still demanding the transfer of power to civil rule. The European Union's weight in the region is decreasing, while the US tries to stamp its influence in the Middle East.
Nigeria: Fragile balance (Manuel Manrique, FP en español)
09/02/20122012 will be a decisive year for Nigeria. The government will have to face the challenges posed by the terrorist threats and the middle class’s demands to end corruption.
A less European Germany in a more German Europe (Susanne Gratius, EurActiv)
01/02/2012The summit on 30 January proved that internal divisions on austerity vs. growth are increasing. And to follow a combined policy does not seem to be on Germany’s radar. It is unlikely that the fiscal union promoted by “Merkozy” will pull Europe out of crisis.
January
Pakistan: A new style of coup? (Clare Castillejo, New Europe)
29/01/2012The battle between Pakistan’s state institutions threatens the country’s fragile return to democracy. The government is also under attack from the judiciary. As Pakistan’s largest trade partner, the EU could encourage democratic institutions to work together to address the country’s many problems.
Is the EU-India strategic partnership really strategic? (Gauri Khandekar, EUObserver)
24/01/2012Amidst the crisis, the EU seems interested in improving relations with India and thus benefitting from the country’s emerging market.
Upgrading EU commercial diplomacy in 2012 (Richard Youngs, New Europe)
23/01/2012Geo-economics is one of the most important challenges for the EU in 2012. Some European member states have become strikingly more active in chasing investment deals. This trend is likely to become even stronger in 2012.
US steals EU's thunder in West Africa (Cristina Barrios, EurActiv)
19/01/2012US State Secretary Hillary Clinton’s visit to West Africa brought hope and a 'yes-we-can' attitude to the continent and is another example of 'smart' diplomacy in action. Meanwhile, the EU shies away.
Playing with fire (Cristina Manzano, elPeriódico.com)
12/01/2012Mounting tension among Iran, Israel and the US has led to great international uncertainty. An esclation of violence and a potential armed attack could be catastrophic for the region's security, especially for Israel, neighbouring Europe and ultimately the international community at large.
