Georgia’s polarised domestic politics and slow reforms have complicated its relationship with the EU. Autumn 2023 will be a pivotal period for the nation, as the EU will then decide about its candidacy status. While Georgia’s full compliance with the EU’s 12 recommendations is doubtful, extraneo...
There is great appetite among Iraqi politicians and Iraqi society at large for the EU to take on a bigger role in the country. › In the past, the EU has dedicated too much energy and too many funds to policies such as security sector reform. It should now play to its strengths including in the c...
The European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) should reinvigorate their relationship in an increasingly contested global environment, deepening their political, economic and social cooperation. The EU’s return to the region after years of a low-profile presence must not be pe...
This Brief explores the sphere in which Russia’s state-controlled irregular armed groups operate and the scope of their activities, focusing in particular on the notorious Wagner Group, and their impact on violent conflicts....
The aim of this Brief is to identify the chief drivers of instability in Pakistan today, their potential ramifications beyond the country’s borders, and to provide guidance for EU policymakers on steps that can be taken to help restore economic and political stability in the country....
This Brief explores Moldova’s efforts to strengthen its security and resilience in the shadow of Russia’s war on Ukraine. It begins with an overview of how the country’s security landscape has changed over the last year. The Brief then looks at the Moldovan authorities’ responses to both militar...
While transport connectivity in Africa is of crucial importance for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, it has the potential to either advance or hinder peacebuilding and stabilisation efforts in the continent. In an institutional void, connectivity risks becoming a dr...
Under the umbrella of the recently unveiled ‘Global Security Initiative’ (GSI) China is launching a series of international initiatives which include proposals to support dialogue between third parties, the revival of the country’s forum diplomacy, more Chinese funding to several multilateral in...
After many years of underinvestment in defence, EU Member States are rearming, but much criticism has been levelled at the slow pace. Many argue that more European cooperation on defence acquisition and arms procurement would not only make buying arms faster and cheaper, but also strengthen the ...
The Taliban takeover in August 2021 has had destabilising repercussions beyond the borders of Afghanistan, altering regional dynamics and impacting the Taliban’s own external relationships with bordering countries. Security risks are posed not only by the Taliban itself but also by Islamist terr...