The self-determination of peoples vs human rights in liberal democracies: the case of Catalonia

Helena Torroja. ARI 99/2019 - 29/10/2019.

The abusive interpretations of the international norm of the self-determination of peoples by secessionist groups in liberal democracies entail a violation of the fundamental human rights of the entire population of the state in question. This paper discusses the norm’s abuse in reference to the people of Catalonia.

Syria strains Turkey’s ties to the West even after US withdrawal?

Nicholas Danforth. Expert Comment 27/2019 - 18/10/2019.

After seven decades, Turkey’s relationship with its nominal American and European NATO allies appears fundamentally broken. And there is still plenty of room for it to get worse. The current crisis in Syria is both a symptom and a driver of the breakdown.

The challenges facing Josep Borrell as the next EU foreign policy chief: an interview with Joseph Weiler

Argelia Queralt & Ignacio Molina. 8/10/2019.

Interview with Joseph H.H. Weiler on the role to be played by the new High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell.

Mody’s ‘Euro tragedy’: the counter story

Miguel Otero-Iglesias. WP 13/2018 - 16/9/2019.

This is a long and dissenting review, in nine acts, of Ashoka Mody’s book EuroTragedy: A Drama in Nine Acts, based on a political economy approach, generally absent in the book.

Strategic autonomy in a new era: a Cold-War risk assessment of China’s involvement in the EU’s 5G networks

Mario Esteban & Ugo Armanini. ARI 89/2019 - 6/8/2019.

This paper suggests studying the relations between the EU and China through a Cold War analysis framework.

A strategic look at the position of High Representative and Commission Vice-President

Ignacio Molina & Luis Simón. ARI 88/2019 - 5/8/2019.

What is the potential, and which are the shortcomings and possible ways of strengthening the post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs (and Vice-President of the European Commission) in order to improve the efficiency and standing of the EU as a global player?

Emerging security challenges in NATO’s southern neighbourhood

Ian O. Lesser. ARI 79/2019-3/7/2019.

NATO has always had a southern exposure. Today’s strategic environment provides a new context for this traditional question, but also raises fundamental questions of geography, alliance politics and a shared approach to risks.

The EU after the elections: a more plural Parliament and Council

Piotr Maciej Kaczyński. ARI 76/2019 - 26/6/2019.

What is the new balance of power in the EU’s institutions following the May 2019 elections?

Sánchez must snatch the Economic Vice-presidency for Spain

Miguel Otero-Iglesias & Ilke Toygür. Expert Comment 20/2019 - 11/6/2019.

Spain deserves a top job in the EU and Pedro Sánchez is determined to get it. For a country that is strongly pro-European and the fifth-largest (fourth, if Britain quits) economy in the Union, it is embarrassingly underrepresented. 

EU policy in the face of the Chinese challenge

Mario Esteban & Miguel Otero Iglesias. Expert Comment 18/2019 (English version) - 6/6/2019.

While the change in the European Commission’s narrative on China is highly significant, it is not at all clear how this will translate into the foreign policy of the various member states.