Oil, Trade, European Union, and War in Iran – The Price of Black Gold
After a full month from the beginning of the war in the Middle East, the global economy is struggling with what the International Energy Agency has framed as the greatest energy security challenge in history. The military conflict involving Iran, which escalated sharply on 28 February, moved beyond a regional fighting into a systematic global […]
New Day for the Transatlantic Trade: European Parliament Approves the Trade Deal with the US
On 26 March, the European Parliament made a big step for the global trade and voted to approve the EU-US Transatlantic Economic Partnership Agreement, known as TEPA. The deal, passed with a clear but hard-fought majority, should mark the end of a period which was characterised by high tension in the field of international trade […]
Pharma Package at the Door: Healthy Regulation or the Innovation Virus?
After years in the making, the EU Pharma Package is closer to adoption than ever. In this week’s newsletter, we are breaking down the key consequences of its likely implementation. Pharma Package at the Door: Healthy Regulation or the Innovation Virus? The halls of the EU institutions are filled with chatter about one of the […]
The Industrial Accelerator Act: The Shortcut to Competitiveness
Can Europe Find Its Way Back to the Top? Europe’s share of global manufacturing has been dropping for several years in a row. It is now estimated to be as low as just 14.3% of the EU’s GDP. We are currently in a race where the rules have changed. The Industrial Accelerator Act is the […]
What is the Single Defence Market?
Why Does Europe Buy 80% of Its Military Gear Outside the EU? For decades, European countries have treated defence as a national exception. We have 27 different sets of rules, as well as different supply chains and budgets. This type of national sovereignty has a high price tag. Insisting on doing things alone made EU […]
Defence, Energy and Copyright: In the Spotlight of This Week’s Plenary Session
The MEPs will have a rather packed schedule this week, tackling topics such as energy, defence, technology, copyright, and geopolitical uncertainties. Defence, Energy and Copyright: In the Spotlight of This Week’s Plenary Session This week, the European Parliament gathers in Strasbourg from Monday to Thursday for a plenary session that will touch upon a myriad […]
The Middle East and the EU’s Seat at the Table
The conflict in the Middle East escalates after the US and Israel take decisive action in Iran for a regime change, while the EU is sidelined in crisis response as Cyprus is attacked. The Middle East and the EU’s Seat at the Table If the geopolitical world had a tipping point, it was likely crossed […]
The Cyprus Presidency: Breaking Down the Agenda
On 1 January 2026, the Republic of Cyprus assumed the rotating Presidency at the Council of Ministers, taking over the role from Denmark. This was the last transition of the current three-piece Presidency (consisting of Poland, Denmark and Cyprus) and comes at a moment when the Union is facing several challenges, most notably regarding competitiveness […]
How Is Europe Regulating Generative AI and Copyright?
The global AI market is projected to skyrocket to over $1.3 trillion in the next five years. But beneath that value lies an unresolved conflict: the battle over generative AI and copyright as we know it today. AI models train on billions of works, so who should get paid? Who gets to call themselves a creator? The answer is being discussed right now in Europe. The European […]