From Sunak’s Brexit miracle to Boris Johnson’s NATO dreams to the ticking clock for TikTok – this is what’s on the agenda this week.

Rishi got it done

That’s right. On Monday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak succeeded in what Theresa May and Boris Johnson (oh, sorry, how could we forget Liz Truss?) had previously failed: a historic new deal with the EU on the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol that should pose a solid ground for future relations after the 2016 traumatic divorce. All’s well that ends well, right? Don’t get Brexit-cited; the best is yet to come: Sunak will now have to prepare to face MPs for a dramatic Commons grilling and a likely vote on the deal.

Welcome back, Space Cowboy

You may rest easy on that score, Captain? Not really, if you finally happen to land on planet BoJo. Even though the former PM has recently pledged not to oppose Sunak’s Brexit deal, his cumbersome presence (not only because of his size) does not ask permission from anyone before making room for itself in British politics. Ukraine’s most acclaimed foreign leader is seriously considering running for Secretary General of NATO. His unwavering support to Zelenskyy, and the continuous calls to Western powers to supply his country with fighter jets to support the Ukrainian war effort, have made Boris Johnson more than a concern for the current NATO boss, Jens Stoltenberg, and for EU leaders who still have nightmares remembering dealing with Johnson on Brexit. However, BoJo will have to work on his Latino temper if he wants to have a chance to become the next elephant in the room. Deal with it, folks.

Tic…Toc for TikTok

How do we make Beijing angry today? That’s the most prominent question in the mind of Western leaders. After the Chinese saviour – sarcasm here – saw his “peace” plan gently declined by the closest ally, Vlad, EU institutions have decided to shut down the controversial app TikTok on staff devices. In the footsteps of the European Commission and the Council of the EU, the European Parliament on Tuesday became the latest EU institution to ban the use of the social media app on staff devices, following rising concerns over cybersecurity, privacy, and data misuse. What’s next? TikTok’s EU managers have already started to call it “prejudice”. Someone else will maybe follow the script calling for a general “hysteria” (lately, this has been the regime’s most vital diplomatic position). Probably, Western countries are just starting to open their eyes.