Brussels Institute for Geopolitics
@bigeurope.bsky.social
BIG brings together thought leaders from politics, business and civil society to help Europe get in shape for the new era of great power politics.
In Central and Eastern Europe, #geopolitics is both an old wound and a new political faultline. The #EU must tread carefully, argues BIG's Thomas Laffitte, lest opponents become polarized foes in a reductive battle of civilizations which may do more harm than good. ⬇️ #CEE
🔗 shorturl.at/KjRsX
🔗 shorturl.at/KjRsX
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
In Central and Eastern Europe, #geopolitics is both an old wound and a new political faultline. The #EU must tread carefully, argues BIG's Thomas Laffitte, lest opponents become polarized foes in a reductive battle of civilizations which may do more harm than good. ⬇️ #CEE
🔗 shorturl.at/KjRsX
🔗 shorturl.at/KjRsX
🎙️ Nuestro podcast lleva el micrófono a Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, autora y periodista argentina.
Una conversación compleja y provocadora acerca de la historia, los idiomas, el #poder – y la incertidumbre en las relaciones futuras entre #Europa y #Latinoamérica.
🎧 Escucha aquí: shorturl.at/z57nA
Una conversación compleja y provocadora acerca de la historia, los idiomas, el #poder – y la incertidumbre en las relaciones futuras entre #Europa y #Latinoamérica.
🎧 Escucha aquí: shorturl.at/z57nA
December 16, 2025 at 1:26 PM
🎙️ Nuestro podcast lleva el micrófono a Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, autora y periodista argentina.
Una conversación compleja y provocadora acerca de la historia, los idiomas, el #poder – y la incertidumbre en las relaciones futuras entre #Europa y #Latinoamérica.
🎧 Escucha aquí: shorturl.at/z57nA
Una conversación compleja y provocadora acerca de la historia, los idiomas, el #poder – y la incertidumbre en las relaciones futuras entre #Europa y #Latinoamérica.
🎧 Escucha aquí: shorturl.at/z57nA
Reposted by Brussels Institute for Geopolitics
The Franco-German squabble over the FCAS fighter jet is a show of weakness just when Europe needs to be projecting strength, argues Martin Leng from the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics (@bigeurope.bsky.social) in this guest op-ed. www.the-sentinel.media/p/op-ed-fcas...
Op-ed: FCAS squabble is unfit for a new era
The Franco-German turf war embodies Europe’s strategic failure
www.the-sentinel.media
December 16, 2025 at 7:31 AM
The Franco-German squabble over the FCAS fighter jet is a show of weakness just when Europe needs to be projecting strength, argues Martin Leng from the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics (@bigeurope.bsky.social) in this guest op-ed. www.the-sentinel.media/p/op-ed-fcas...
As #Trump takes aim at #Europe, our guest writer Mark Gilbert counters that both its cheerleaders and detractors – US and European – have created a false dichotomy. The European project is both more complex and subtle than either Euro-boosters or sceptics would have us believe. ⬇️
🔗 shorturl.at/Xi5hg
🔗 shorturl.at/Xi5hg
December 15, 2025 at 9:47 AM
As #Trump takes aim at #Europe, our guest writer Mark Gilbert counters that both its cheerleaders and detractors – US and European – have created a false dichotomy. The European project is both more complex and subtle than either Euro-boosters or sceptics would have us believe. ⬇️
🔗 shorturl.at/Xi5hg
🔗 shorturl.at/Xi5hg
In a wide-ranging interview on #Ukraine, #Trump and the new geopolitical order, BIG's Director @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social spoke with El Pais about the urgency of Europe's present moment.
🔗 Read the full conversation: shorturl.at/CTzPH
@elpais.com
🔗 Read the full conversation: shorturl.at/CTzPH
@elpais.com
Luuk van Middelaar: ‘The best Europe can do is make the bad Ukraine deal less bad’
The director of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics criticizes the EU’s appeasement policy towards Trump
shorturl.at
December 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM
In a wide-ranging interview on #Ukraine, #Trump and the new geopolitical order, BIG's Director @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social spoke with El Pais about the urgency of Europe's present moment.
🔗 Read the full conversation: shorturl.at/CTzPH
@elpais.com
🔗 Read the full conversation: shorturl.at/CTzPH
@elpais.com
Any doubts about American intentions vis-à-vis #Ukraine and #Europe were put to rest on Friday with the #US' new #NationalSecurity Strategy. BIG's Claude-France Arnould argues the only way to avoid a nightmare is to wake up - and start building effective European power, now.
🔗 shorturl.at/4UinV
🔗 shorturl.at/4UinV
December 8, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Any doubts about American intentions vis-à-vis #Ukraine and #Europe were put to rest on Friday with the #US' new #NationalSecurity Strategy. BIG's Claude-France Arnould argues the only way to avoid a nightmare is to wake up - and start building effective European power, now.
🔗 shorturl.at/4UinV
🔗 shorturl.at/4UinV
The #EU announced its new #EconomicSecurity Strategy this week. 💶🔒 A toolkit without an instruction manual, argues BIG's Hans Kribbe: 'If the #Commission really wants to deploy the EU's economic policy arsenal to achieve foreign/security goals, we deserve to know what those goals are.'
Our take ⬇️
Our take ⬇️
December 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The #EU announced its new #EconomicSecurity Strategy this week. 💶🔒 A toolkit without an instruction manual, argues BIG's Hans Kribbe: 'If the #Commission really wants to deploy the EU's economic policy arsenal to achieve foreign/security goals, we deserve to know what those goals are.'
Our take ⬇️
Our take ⬇️
While Washington and Moscow negotiate, Kyiv and Brussels assess the stark choices ahead. We asked former UA gov minister Oleksandra Azarkhina four BIG questions - on her impressions of #EU defence coordination, American claims on mineral rights, and what #Ukraine needs now.
🔗 shorturl.at/DvBml
🔗 shorturl.at/DvBml
December 1, 2025 at 9:42 AM
While Washington and Moscow negotiate, Kyiv and Brussels assess the stark choices ahead. We asked former UA gov minister Oleksandra Azarkhina four BIG questions - on her impressions of #EU defence coordination, American claims on mineral rights, and what #Ukraine needs now.
🔗 shorturl.at/DvBml
🔗 shorturl.at/DvBml
Thought that building a shared European identity was hard? Try developing a common strategic culture. 🧩🧩🧩
'An EU security revolution begins with culture, with rediscovering what Europe stands for and what it is prepared to defend', writes BIG's Kate O'Riordan. ⬇️
🔗 shorturl.at/x1MSB
'An EU security revolution begins with culture, with rediscovering what Europe stands for and what it is prepared to defend', writes BIG's Kate O'Riordan. ⬇️
🔗 shorturl.at/x1MSB
November 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Thought that building a shared European identity was hard? Try developing a common strategic culture. 🧩🧩🧩
'An EU security revolution begins with culture, with rediscovering what Europe stands for and what it is prepared to defend', writes BIG's Kate O'Riordan. ⬇️
🔗 shorturl.at/x1MSB
'An EU security revolution begins with culture, with rediscovering what Europe stands for and what it is prepared to defend', writes BIG's Kate O'Riordan. ⬇️
🔗 shorturl.at/x1MSB
In recent weeks, the #EU described #Georgia as a membership candidate ‘in name only’. How did it come to this for Tbilisi?
The country's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili writes for BIG on what's at stake - and what Europe should do now. 💡⬇️
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#Enlargement #Caucasus
The country's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili writes for BIG on what's at stake - and what Europe should do now. 💡⬇️
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#Enlargement #Caucasus
November 13, 2025 at 9:19 AM
In recent weeks, the #EU described #Georgia as a membership candidate ‘in name only’. How did it come to this for Tbilisi?
The country's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili writes for BIG on what's at stake - and what Europe should do now. 💡⬇️
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#Enlargement #Caucasus
The country's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili writes for BIG on what's at stake - and what Europe should do now. 💡⬇️
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#Enlargement #Caucasus
Reposted by Brussels Institute for Geopolitics
The EU needs an economic security council, @bigeurope.bsky.social’s Luuk van Middelaar & Hans Kribbe argue in our fall issue: ip-quarterly.com/en/eu-needs-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The EU needs an economic security council, @bigeurope.bsky.social’s Luuk van Middelaar & Hans Kribbe argue in our fall issue: ip-quarterly.com/en/eu-needs-...
Between what's agreed in Belém and Europe's green future, there lies uncertain geopolitical reality. Let's explore it! 🔍🍃
📅 Join us at BIG on 18/11 as we chart a course through the geostrategic risks for the EU's green transition - including expert input live from #COP30.
🔗 shorturl.at/rT8Q5
📅 Join us at BIG on 18/11 as we chart a course through the geostrategic risks for the EU's green transition - including expert input live from #COP30.
🔗 shorturl.at/rT8Q5
November 12, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Between what's agreed in Belém and Europe's green future, there lies uncertain geopolitical reality. Let's explore it! 🔍🍃
📅 Join us at BIG on 18/11 as we chart a course through the geostrategic risks for the EU's green transition - including expert input live from #COP30.
🔗 shorturl.at/rT8Q5
📅 Join us at BIG on 18/11 as we chart a course through the geostrategic risks for the EU's green transition - including expert input live from #COP30.
🔗 shorturl.at/rT8Q5
The #EU faces geopolitical dilemmas which demand strategic vision. Writing in @euractiv.com today, BIG's @hanskribbe.bsky.social argues for a new EU #EconomicSecurity Council to create the silo-busting geoeconomic coordination the institutions urgently need. ⬇️
🔗 www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
🔗 www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
How to keep Europe's economy from getting pulverised | Euractiv
Europe’s most serious headaches are neither issues of regulation nor diplomacy; they are both at once. An Economic Security Advisor would be able to pull security-sensitive issues out of the soup of B...
www.euractiv.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:21 AM
The #EU faces geopolitical dilemmas which demand strategic vision. Writing in @euractiv.com today, BIG's @hanskribbe.bsky.social argues for a new EU #EconomicSecurity Council to create the silo-busting geoeconomic coordination the institutions urgently need. ⬇️
🔗 www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
🔗 www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
In death as in life, Kenya's former PM Raila ‘Baba’ Odinga engendered an affection and unity which few European leaders could muster.
📩 Writing from Nairobi, @paulnolan.bsky.social reflects on a leader's legacy - and how his story gave political vibrancy to an entire nation. ➡️ shorturl.at/bvBjA
📩 Writing from Nairobi, @paulnolan.bsky.social reflects on a leader's legacy - and how his story gave political vibrancy to an entire nation. ➡️ shorturl.at/bvBjA
October 28, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In death as in life, Kenya's former PM Raila ‘Baba’ Odinga engendered an affection and unity which few European leaders could muster.
📩 Writing from Nairobi, @paulnolan.bsky.social reflects on a leader's legacy - and how his story gave political vibrancy to an entire nation. ➡️ shorturl.at/bvBjA
📩 Writing from Nairobi, @paulnolan.bsky.social reflects on a leader's legacy - and how his story gave political vibrancy to an entire nation. ➡️ shorturl.at/bvBjA
🎙️ BIG's latest podcast is here - we're Handing Over the Mic to
@irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social
Listen now 🎧⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y
Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG
@irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social
Listen now 🎧⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y
Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG
October 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
🎙️ BIG's latest podcast is here - we're Handing Over the Mic to
@irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social
Listen now 🎧⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y
Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG
@irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social
Listen now 🎧⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y
Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG
💊🚗 #Pharma prowess has become a major lever of power and prestige. But as with the #EV industry, Europe risks being overtaken by #China on drug development and production if it doesn't shift gears now. What lessons can be learned?
🔗 shorturl.at/8tMCF
🔗 shorturl.at/8tMCF
October 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
💊🚗 #Pharma prowess has become a major lever of power and prestige. But as with the #EV industry, Europe risks being overtaken by #China on drug development and production if it doesn't shift gears now. What lessons can be learned?
🔗 shorturl.at/8tMCF
🔗 shorturl.at/8tMCF
🚨 On 6 November, BIG welcomes Sir Nick Clegg for the Brussels launch of his new book, 'How to Save the Internet: The Threat to Global Connection in the Age of AI and Political Conflict'.
Join us! ➡️🔗 Info and registration: shorturl.at/pc8DP
Join us! ➡️🔗 Info and registration: shorturl.at/pc8DP
October 14, 2025 at 10:21 AM
🚨 On 6 November, BIG welcomes Sir Nick Clegg for the Brussels launch of his new book, 'How to Save the Internet: The Threat to Global Connection in the Age of AI and Political Conflict'.
Join us! ➡️🔗 Info and registration: shorturl.at/pc8DP
Join us! ➡️🔗 Info and registration: shorturl.at/pc8DP
🖥️🌍 The EU and its partners share a quest for greater digital independence from China and the US. As Day Two of the #GlobalGateway Forum gets underway in Brussels, Sabine Muscat writes for BIG on how a compelling, just European tech offer to the Global South should take shape.
🔗 shorturl.at/XjQUF
🔗 shorturl.at/XjQUF
October 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🖥️🌍 The EU and its partners share a quest for greater digital independence from China and the US. As Day Two of the #GlobalGateway Forum gets underway in Brussels, Sabine Muscat writes for BIG on how a compelling, just European tech offer to the Global South should take shape.
🔗 shorturl.at/XjQUF
🔗 shorturl.at/XjQUF
As Copenhagen's summit week concludes, disruptive #drone incursions set the tone and brought Moscow's hybrid war to #EUCO. We asked @rynning.bsky.social about the significance of the operation, how the continent should respond, and the view from #Denmark.
🔗 shorturl.at/S6koq
@d-ias.bsky.social
🔗 shorturl.at/S6koq
@d-ias.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
As Copenhagen's summit week concludes, disruptive #drone incursions set the tone and brought Moscow's hybrid war to #EUCO. We asked @rynning.bsky.social about the significance of the operation, how the continent should respond, and the view from #Denmark.
🔗 shorturl.at/S6koq
@d-ias.bsky.social
🔗 shorturl.at/S6koq
@d-ias.bsky.social
⛽ Once hailed as 'molecules of freedom', US oil and gas now expose the EU to the whims of the White House.
As #EUCO meets today with a ban on Russian LNG on their agenda, @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social argues that #energy independence lies not in a new supplier, but a new path.
🔗 shorturl.at/Ww3D5
As #EUCO meets today with a ban on Russian LNG on their agenda, @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social argues that #energy independence lies not in a new supplier, but a new path.
🔗 shorturl.at/Ww3D5
October 1, 2025 at 7:48 AM
⛽ Once hailed as 'molecules of freedom', US oil and gas now expose the EU to the whims of the White House.
As #EUCO meets today with a ban on Russian LNG on their agenda, @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social argues that #energy independence lies not in a new supplier, but a new path.
🔗 shorturl.at/Ww3D5
As #EUCO meets today with a ban on Russian LNG on their agenda, @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social argues that #energy independence lies not in a new supplier, but a new path.
🔗 shorturl.at/Ww3D5
❓ Is the European Political Community quietly becoming a new pillar of Europe's geopolitical governance?
That's the BIG idea we discussed yesterday with Her Excellency Daniela Morari, Ambassador of #Moldova to the EU, and a host of other esteemed guests, ahead of the 7th #EPC summit on 2 October.
That's the BIG idea we discussed yesterday with Her Excellency Daniela Morari, Ambassador of #Moldova to the EU, and a host of other esteemed guests, ahead of the 7th #EPC summit on 2 October.
September 24, 2025 at 9:09 AM
🚨🎧 Your weekend listen is here.
🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy.
Listen here ⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI
Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ
🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy.
Listen here ⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI
Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ
September 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
🚨🎧 Your weekend listen is here.
🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy.
Listen here ⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI
Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ
🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy.
Listen here ⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI
Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ
📱 ‘In the #digital arena, the #EU is still playing a rules-based version of nobody-gets-hurt judo, whereas the other major players have shifted to something more like mixed martial arts.’
In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️
In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️
Time for the gloves to come off in digital policy
big-europe.eu
September 16, 2025 at 7:43 AM
📱 ‘In the #digital arena, the #EU is still playing a rules-based version of nobody-gets-hurt judo, whereas the other major players have shifted to something more like mixed martial arts.’
In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️
In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️
We extend our warmest congratulations to BIG's Advisory Council member Kajsa Ollongren as she takes up this exciting new role with Europe's values firmly at its heart. 👏
Honoured to serve as EUSR for Human Rights. Outlined some thoughts on my new role while on mission in Geneva. What do you think I should focus on? 💡
September 11, 2025 at 8:55 AM
We extend our warmest congratulations to BIG's Advisory Council member Kajsa Ollongren as she takes up this exciting new role with Europe's values firmly at its heart. 👏
🌍 Mapping Geopolitics: The ‘Trump Effect’
Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months.
🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive.
big-europe.eu/publications...
Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months.
🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive.
big-europe.eu/publications...
Europe cools towards the US (but not everywhere all of the time): The ‘Trump Effect’
big-europe.eu
July 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
🌍 Mapping Geopolitics: The ‘Trump Effect’
Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months.
🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive.
big-europe.eu/publications...
Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months.
🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive.
big-europe.eu/publications...