Europe

Map of Vienna highlighting districts, international organizations, and selected embassies in red. Notable sites near Donau River. Introduction: Last week, Austria expelled three Russian diplomats, accusing them of spying. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger declared that the Russian embassy staff were using an "antenna forest" on the roofs of diplomatic buildings in Vienna to gather information, an intelligence gathering technique known as SIGINT (Signals intelligence). Th

Soldiers walk toward a cargo plane on a wet tarmac at sunrise. American and German flags wave near the Brandenburg Gate. Mellow mood. The decision by the United States to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany has brought up once again the concerns regarding the future of European security and the stability of the transatlantic alliance. The move came after comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who criticized the way the US is handling the war with Iran, adding that Wash

Two flags side by side against a clear sky: the red Turkish flag with a white star and crescent, and the blue EU flag with yellow stars. From Mali and Niger to Ukraine, Turkish drones have become a symbol of Ankara’s growing strategic influence in the world. Behind their success lies a defense industry that has turned Turkey’s diplomatic assertiveness into a major asset. Mark Rutte’s visit to Ankara on 21-22 April also confirmed, using his words, that Türkiye now matters more

Image Credit: AlJazeera Introduction Last week, Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Security Council, issued a warning regarding the safety of Russian citizens living in Transnistria. Speaking to Russian media, Shoigu stated "It must not be ⁠forgotten that more than 220,000 Russian citizens live in Transdniestria. Their interests and safety are now ​under threat due to the ill-considered and irresponsible actions of Kyiv and Chisinau." Furthermore, he pointed out that Rus

Intro: Geopolitical instability and an uncertain security landscape have forced Europe to reevaluate its defence policy, with conscription returning to the political agenda. From renewed debates in Germany to concrete policy developments in Croatia, states that once abolished mandatory military service are now reconsidering its viability in today’s society. The increasing number of states exploring the possibility of conscription reflects the growing European concern regardin

While most of the world is looking at the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, northern European nations have been concerned about maritime traffic that flows through the Baltic Sea for several years. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, two countries were so alarmed by the escalation that they decided it was time to join NATO. Finland and Sweden, who share a land border with Russia, believe that joining the alliance will help bolster the military alliance. This has been

Introduction : As the US-Israeli campaign against Iran escalates, Western Europe is finding itself in an increasingly uncomfortable geopolitical position. Governments across the continent have advocated for a de-escalation, but that appears unlikely in the short term. Despite the urge for peace, an increasing number of European naval vessels are making their way to the eastern Mediterranean. This contradiction exposes a strategic dilemma facing Western European allies. While

On the 4th anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the European Union is still trying to sanction Russia enough to initiate legitimate diplomatic discussion. The target for this round of sanctions is much tougher than previous ones as the package includes targets of the energy, financial services and trade sectors. The European Union released a statement on 6 February 2026 on how they are targeting each sector. When it comes to energy, they want to implement a full maritime serv

Introduction Over the past decade, France and Germany started multiple joint programs meant to reinforce their defence capacities and build a stronger European autonomy. From the MGCS (Main Ground Combat System) in 2012, the FCAS (Future Combat Air System) in 2017, to the Eurodrone officially launched in 2022, these initiative supported by other European partners (Spain and Italy) were meant to deepen the relationship. Nevertheless, in the past years has generated mixed signa

Developing the best technology is the goal for any business. Without the best teams for research and development, it would be difficult to achieve this goal, which is where many governments step in to incentivise and regulate. The digital world is changing rapidly so it is paramount to remain competitive and foster technological advances to be the best. Many governments run into issues surrounding control and access to digital technology that many are turning to their own cit

The war in Ukraine, the “ inevitable reunification ” of Taiwan with China, or the intervention of the USA in Venezuela and its ambitions over Greenland marked a clear return to Great Power Politics. In what can be seen as a chaotic beginning of 2026, where the EU could place itself among these great powers, and how can it respond to it? Often considered a political dwarf, the EU has never been thought of in terms of power, but rather as a vast economic union. In this logic, t

Map of Ukraine as of November 24, 2025, highlighting areas under Russian control, recent Russian advances, Ukrainian incursions, and regions of significant conflict, with a focus on the Donbas and Crimea. Introduction: For almost four years, the Russian offensive on Ukraine has dragged on, with a somewhat predictable rhythm. Russia pushes forward, while Ukraine counter-attacks when possible. Most western debates regarding the war have been about who, where and when should res

(Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) Introduction: The invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked the return of war on the old continent and demonstrated the need for NATO countries to finally reach the goal of 2% of their GDP in military expenditures. Between 2020 and 2024, Europe accounted for 28.1% of the global arms imports, compared to only 11% between 2015 and 2019 . As the war keeps raging in Ukraine, European countries maintain their efforts to rearm themselves, in a cle

Chinese EVs are taking over Europe’s streets. BYD overtakes Tesla in the European market selling three times as many vehicles as in August 2024 and surpassing Tesla for the second consecutive month, with a market share of 1.3% compared to Tesla’s 1.2%, whose sales fell 36.6%. SAIC Motor, another Chinese brand, saw sales rise 59.4%, reaching a year-to-date market share of 1.9% and ranking as the tenth best-selling brand in the EU. While Scandinavian countries embraced Chines

Introduction: European Union enlargement has re-emerged as one of Europe’s most geopolitically significant debates. When Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU, and to a wider extent, the continent as a whole, was forced to alter its geopolitical strategies. The EU now has to re-evaluate its borders. Just as many former Warsaw Pact states began pursuing EU membership after the Cold War, many Eastern European states are now seeking closer ti

Introduction: After fourteen years, the Republic of Ireland has a new President. On October 24 th , 2025, voters across the country went to the polling stations, with a majority, 63.4%, voting for independent candidate Catherine Connolly, who will be formally inaugurated on November 11 th . However, the biggest stories that emerged in the fallout of the election were not necessarily who the victor was, but the low voter turnout of 46%, and even more worrying, the record numbe

Introduction Europe is building a wall. Not made of concrete, but with code, signals and radar. What began as a suggestion from Lithuania, has evolved into one of the European Union’s largest and most complex defense projects, a ‘Drone wall’ stretching from the Baltics down to the Black Sea. The ‘Drone Wall’, formally known as the European Drone Defense Initiative is part of the EU's broader Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030, and has been announced in response to the rising num

October 2025 is proving to be an important electoral month across the continent of Europe. The people of Ireland, Portugal, Estonia, the Netherlands, Georgia, and Northern Cyprus are all going to the polls this month to carry out their civic duty. However, this article will focus on one with particularly significant implications for the European political landscape, the Czech parliamentary elections. The Czech Republic has just held a parliamentary election between October 3