Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) special dossier
The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has the potential for extraordinary consequences. We assess its impact at distinct levels and areas, and the global challenges of managing this crisis.
Digital tulips and the spectre of inflation
Miguel Otero-Iglesias. Expert Comment 12/2021 - 8/4/2021.
Bitcoin is neither a medium of exchange nor a unit of account and is too volatile as a store of value. We are facing a digital tulip nurtured by a speculative frenzy.
Western Sahara: can a Trump tweet lead to unlocking the stalemate?
Haizam Amirah-Fernández and Isabelle Werenfels. ARI 43/2021 - 07/04/2021.
The outgoing US President Donald Trump recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara in exchange for Morocco normalising relations with Israel. The new Biden Administration still has to make an unequivocal statement defining its position on the conflict. Meanwhile, several scenarios, risks and opportunities arise.
Quo Vadis, Bitcoin?
Judith Arnal Martín, María Eugenia Menéndez-Morán and Javier Muñoz Moldes. ARI 41/2021 - 05/04/2021.
This analysis focuses on the increasing relevance of crypto-assets, providing a simple taxonomy and explaining the conceptual framework and current reality. It then introduces the regulatory and supervisory responses undertaken by public authorities.
The future of the EU’s lead-candidate procedure
Paul Schmidt & Johanna Edthofer. ARI 40/2021 - 5/4/2021.
The EU’s lead-candidate procedure should not be abandoned. To save it, it should be embedded in a reform of the EU’s electoral law well before the next European elections in 2024.
Rekindling the Agenda on Women, Peace and Security: can the EU lead by example?
Jessica Almqvist. ARI 36/2021 - 23/3/2021.
The terrain of war and peace is not gender neutral.
The European Recovery Plan: the figures for Spain
Enrique Feás & Federico Steinberg. ARI 35/2021 (English version) - 22/3/2021.
The shape of the European Recovery Fund is becoming clearer. This analysis looks at the figures for Spain.
Towards a new technology foreign policy line in Spain and the EU
Raquel Jorge Ricart. ARI 34/2021 (English version) - 17/3/2021.
The coordinated management of challenges and opportunities derived from digitisation and from emerging and disruptive technologies paves the way for an innovative adaptation of Spain to the new multilateralism’s conditions and needs and should also serve to update the much-needed anticipation and future scenario techniques driven by foresight exercises.
COVID-19: the geopolitics of the vaccine, a weapon for global security
Rafael Vilasanjuan. ARI 32/2021 (English version) - 15/3/2021.
Amid the coronavirus crisis, the vaccine seems to offer the most promising way out. However, as important as obtaining the vaccine is the vaccination programme. The great powers are positioning themselves in this strategy to bolster their diplomacy and establish new strategic relations.
The EU-Japan partnership in the Indo-Pacific: opportunities and challenges
Céline Pajon. ARI 31/2021 - 12/3/2021.
This paper analyses the common and divergent interests of Japan and the EU in the Indo-Pacific and identifies the most promising areas for cooperation.
‘We finally have our Conference on the Future of Europe!’: now, what do we do with it?
Ilke Toygür. Expert Comment 11/2021 - 11/03/2021.
After months of toing and froing on the leadership issue, the Joint Declaration on the Conference was finally signed on 10 March by the European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Parliament’s President, David Sassoli, and the President of Portugal, Antonio Costa, who is currently occupying the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
European Indo-Pacific strategies: convergent thinking and shared limitations
Mario Esteban & Ugo Armanini. ARI 30/2021 - 10/3/2021.
France, Germany and the Netherlands have issued strategic papers on the Indo-Pacific that could serve as an inspiration for other EU member states and for the development of a common EU strategy towards the region.
Europe and the Indo-Pacific: comparing France, Germany and the Netherlands
Gudrun Wacker. ARI 29/2021 - 9/3/2021.
This paper provides an analysis of the Indo-Pacific concept in Europe. It compares the positions of France, Germany and the Netherlands, the three EU member states that have so far published documents on the topic.
Key aspects of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Enrique Feás & Álvaro Anchuelo. ARI 26/2021 (English version) - 26/2/2021.
Brexit represents a major setback for European integration. Over the coming months, the costs will cease to be theoretical and will begin to manifest in practice.
Spain and the US, from Trump to Biden
Carlota García Encina. ARI 22/2021 - 19/2/2021.
What is the bilateral relationship between Spain and the US with the new Administration in the White House?
Cash for development? The use of microcredits and cash transfers as development tools
Aitor Pérez, Nicolás Ayensa, Maricruz Lacalle. 12/2/2021. 
This report provides details of the latest advances in these cash-for-development tools at a time when the EU is reshaping its development finance tools for the 2021-27 period.
Further publications
