European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
what think tanks are thinking
The EU strategic autonomy debate [What Think Tanks are thinking]
An increasing number of politicians and analysts argue that the European Union should boost its ‘strategic autonomy’ and/or develop a higher degree of ‘European sovereignty’. Continue reading
The Biden challenge in foreign policy [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Nearly two months ago, on 20th January, Joseph Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, at the end of perhaps the most divisive electoral processes in his country’s history. Continue reading
Coronavirus: Vaccination debates [What Think Tanks are thinking]
As the second wave of the coronavirus passes, new infections and the death rate are currently both in decline globally. At the same time, countries across the world have begun vaccination programmes. Continue reading
Coronavirus: Uncertainty and discontent [What Think Tanks are thinking]
As the latest wave of the coronavirus pandemic intensifies and some highly infectious new mutations of the virus spread, a growing number of countries have increased restrictions on travel and some lockdowns have been intensified. Continue reading
Brexit: The EU-UK trade deal [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The European Union and the United Kingdom reached a last-minute deal on trade and other issues on 24 December 2020, thereby avoiding major disruption from 1 January 2021, the date on which the transition period ended. Continue reading
Climate action: The way ahead [What Think Tanks are thinking]
In a passionate speech delivered recently at Columbia University in New York, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, described the fight against climate change as the top priority for the 21st century. Continue reading
Coronavirus: The battle continues [What Think Tanks are thinking]
As the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic appears to be peaking in Europe, governments and citizens are buoyed by the successful human trials of several vaccines which their producers hope to be able to distribute broadly over the coming months. Continue reading
Post-Trump: Great expectations of Biden [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Joseph Biden, who takes office as the next US President on 20 January 2021 has started to announce nominations for key posts in his Administration. Continue reading
US Presidential election [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Joseph Biden, a former US Vice-President and long-time Senator with a strong interest in foreign affairs, won the US Presidential election for the Democrats, defeating the incumbent Republican President, Donald Trump. Continue reading
Europe confronts the second wave [What Think Tanks are thinking]
As the United States has been choosing its President, an explosion of cases in a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic has forced many governments in Europe to reintroduce strict confinement measures, including new lockdowns, curfews, bans on meetings and the closure of many businesses, notably in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Continue reading
EU foreign, security and defence policies [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The European Union faces multifaceted foreign security and defence policy challenges. First and foremost, it awaits the outcome of the US Presidential election, which is set to determine in significant part global economic and political developments to in the short to mid term. Continue reading
Coronavirus: The second wave [What Think Tanks are thinking]
A resurgence in the number of coronavirus infections since the summer has evidently turned into a second wave of the pandemic, which has now hit many European Union countries. The pandemic is putting renewed pressure on European health systems, and authorities are introducing stringent but targeted preventive measures in a bid to cushion the Continue reading
Trump or Biden: Where next for US foreign and defence policy? [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The United States is heading for a presidential election on Tuesday 3rd. November that will pit incumbent Republican candidate, Donald Trump, against the former Democrat Vice President and Senator, Joe Biden. Continue reading
China: From partner to rival [What Think Tanks are thinking]
According to analysts and politicians, China’s increasingly autocratic domestic stance and assertive foreign policy are damaging its relations with the European Union. Continue reading
Coronavirus: The second wave? [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Since the end of the holiday season, the rate of Covid-19 infection has increased to levels now unseen since their peak in April 2020. Many cities, regions and now countries, have had to reinforce preventive measures. Continue reading
Brexit: Towards the end-game [What Think Tanks are thinking]
There is now growing doubt about possible progress on the future relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Continue reading
The State of the Union 2020 [What Think Tanks are thinking]
In what has now become a tradition, every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the Union address before the 2020 European Parliament, taking stock of achievements over the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. Continue reading
Coronavirus: Masked in the heat? [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The summer has initially brought some reprieve in the spread of coronavirus in Europe. However, a series of localised outbreaks gradually spread from one country to another and has transformed into a new upsurge affecting essentially younger age groups. Continue reading
EU budget and recovery fund: Is it a done deal? [What Think Tanks are thinking]
After nearly five days of tough negotiations, the European Council agreed on the EU’s next seven-year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), worth more than one trillion euros from 2021 to 2027, and crucially, on an additional 750-billion euro fund to help countries recover from the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Coronavirus: An uncertain future [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The spread of the coronavirus pandemic is reshaping the world economy and politics. Analysts and politicians argue that the extent of changes will depend of the persistence of the crisis and the ability of global powers to cooperate in efforts to contain and control it. Continue reading
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