London Calling: Starmer’s Resignation Suggests a New Chapter in the EU-UK Relations
The United Kingdom’s Head of Government, Keir Starmer, announced his resignation on 22 June. Stepping down just two years after an important victory in 2024 parliamentary elections, Starmer leaves the Labour Party to deal with the important domestic issues more decisively and prepare for the 2029 elections as the right-wing Reform UK reaches new heights […]
Fifteen Weeks of War: Peace in Sight for Iran and the US
On 15 June, the Trump administration announced a preliminary US-Iran agreement brokered by Pakistan that has fundamentally shifted global market dynamics. Executed as a memorandum of understanding, the framework is scheduled for a formal signing ceremony in Switzerland this Friday. The Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, announced on 15 June, obliges Washington […]
B&K Agency launches the Board of Advisors
Brussels, Belgium — 18 May 2026 — B&K Agency is pleased to announce the launch of its Board of Advisors. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen the B&K Agency’s international perspective and support its continued growth at the intersection of public affairs, strategic communications and geopolitical advisory. The Board of Advisors brings together senior professionals […]
Armenian Ship Sailing West: Pashinyan’s Pro-EU Party Keeps the Majority
The results of the parliamentary elections in Armenia signal an endorsement of country’s turn away from its traditional security ally, the Russian Federation, and towards integration with the European Union and Western countries. Still, navigating the next chapters will require the new-old government to manage profound domestic and a volatile matrix of competing global powers. […]
The Brussels Effect Explained: How EU Regulations Shape Global Markets
Economic influence and massive tech hubs are a part of what defines a global superpower. But there is a quieter form of power that comes from a different source – in particular, the rulebook. It’s called the Brussels Effect, and it is the reason why the European Union has become a global regulatory power. The […]
Market Power as Diplomacy: Trade as the EU’s Tool to Shape Global Foreign Policy
The EU has signed a trade deal with Mexico on 22 May during the first joint summit in more than ten years. This agreement follows the developments in the trade sector with countries such as India, Malaysia, and the Latin American bloc known as Mercosur and shows the often forgotten voice of European power on […]
How Countries Qualify for the Euro: Eurozone Convergence Criteria Explained
The Eurozone is the name for the countries that use euros as the official currency, and it is very similar to a massive group project on European monetary policy. Before you let someone join the team, you’d want to make sure they’re working at the same pace and are following the same rules. In the […]
Lithuania Restricts Airspace Following Drone Incursion
On 20 May, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence issued a high-level air danger warning after the radar detection of a drone approaching from Belarus. The airspace over Vilnius Airport was closed for approximately an hour and train and public transit networks were suspended. Concurrently, public emergency broadcasts directed residents across the central regions to seek […]
Mediterranean Election Dynamics: Spain’s Conservatives Lose Majority while Cyprus Faces Uncertainty
Last week’s regional election in Andalusia saw the doubling of votes for the Spanish far-left and at the expense of the Socialists and the incumbent Partido Popular. This shift could reflect a broader trend in Southern European politics, which will be tested on 24 May when Cypriot voters are headed to the polls to elect their new parliament. The final results of the Andalusian regional election held on 17 May have delivered a change of course in […]
Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
The European FMCG and grocery retail sector enters 2026 confronted with one of the most consequential regulatory realignments of the past decade. Legislative initiatives advancing simultaneously across packaging, sustainability, food safety, health policy and controlled categories are no longer incremental adjustments; they amount to a fundamental transformation of how products are designed, sourced, marketed and […]