Category ARTICLES

Europe must Trump-proof its Ukraine arms supplies

Poland has increased military spending over €18bn in 2023 (Photo: Yarden Sachs) Moscow’s military and nuclear threats will hang over Europe for decades, regardless of the security architecture we design. As Russia becomes weaker — politically, economically, demographically, and militarily…

Antifascism and fascism are opposites, whatever elites say

The resurgence of fascist movements poses a significant challenge to democracy, equality, minorities and human rights (Photo: © European Union 2022 – Source : EP) Troubling roadblocks have emerged that are frustrating efforts to counter the current worrying uptick in…

The gaping green-hydrogen gap in EU policy

Only four percent of hydrogen produced globally was “green” at the end of 2021 (Photo: Andre Skibinski) The international governing bodies for shipping and aviation have both set net-zero targets for 2050, so the industry commitment to decarbonise is there.…

MEPs look to Spain for EU breakthrough on seasonal workers

Germany’s Spargelzeit season attracts thousands of Polish and Romanian workers (Photo: rainy city) As summer ends, so does the harvest season. In Romania, farmers have been bustling, presenting ripe strawberries, cherries, and crisp lettuce in markets spread across towns and…

Don’t Use Deepfake Services Until You Read This!

Deepfake services, powered by advanced AI technology, have gained popularity for their ability to generate incredibly convincing content. However, before you dive into the world of deepfake services, there are crucial considerations, risks, and ethical aspects that you must be…

A decade of the European Endowment for Democracy

Neglecting democracy comes with a heavy price tag for every European citizen (Photo: European Commission) Ten years ago, the Arab Spring was a clarion call for democracy, a moment of collective awakening that led to the formation of the European…

Russia, Putin, Wagner — and Africa

Vladimir Putin meeting the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, in Moscow on 17 June – before the weekend military uprising (Photo: Kremlin) Russia returning to Africa as a geopolitical player has caused much concern in the West, particularly in…

How the EU’s money for waste went to waste in Lebanon

The EU’s €30m for 16 waste management facilities was a much-needed intervention to address the grave health and environmental implications in Lebanon (Photo: RITE) Across Lebanese neighbourhoods, uncollected garbage piled up steadily, rotting in the blazing heat, and stinking the…