Author | Lightnews

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · 1d

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

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · 2d

🎙️ 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

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · 13d

💊🚗 #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

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · 15d

🚨 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

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · 19d

🖥️🌍 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

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · 20d

It's not foreseen, but we'll be publishing a summary on our website in the days after!

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · 27d

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

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · 28d

⛽ 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

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Sep 24

📖 Our latest report by @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social and Antoine Michon unpacks the EPC's staying power, how it could develop, and what its emergence means for the other actors on the stage - particularly the EU.

🔗 Read the full report: big-europe.eu/publications...

Continental diplomacy for a new era - The European Political Community from Prague to Copenhagen

big-europe.eu

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Sep 24

❓ 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.

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Sep 19

🚨🎧 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

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Sep 16

📱 ‘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. ⤵️

Time for the gloves to come off in digital policy

big-europe.eu

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Sep 11

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. 👏

Kajsa Ollongren @kajsaollongren.bsky.social · Sep 11

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? 💡

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jul 25

🌍 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...

Europe cools towards the US (but not everywhere all of the time): The ‘Trump Effect’

big-europe.eu

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jul 25

🇨🇳 In 1989, Wang Dan led student protests in Tiananmen Square. “We had no blueprint, only hope.”

As part of BIG's #Project1989, he reflects on that moment, civil society and the struggle for democracy in China and beyond.

🔗 Read the full interview here:
shorturl.at/McBcl

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jul 24

🌍 As the EU-China summit unfolds in Beijing as we speak, BIG retraces the ancient Silk Road from Rome.

Once a main artery of trade culture, we explore if it is still possible to walk these paths with modern geopolitical roadblocks

🔗 the full map: shorturl.at/O0tJK

#china #summit #eu #geopolitics

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jul 24

💬 ‘Hunched forward, with mirrored posture, Trump and Zelensky huddle deep in conversation'

📷 In BIG's first photo essay, we how a seemingly impromptu photograph taken before Pope Francis’s funeral service currently stands as the most significant geopolitical image of 2025.

Read: shorturl.at/7J6YV

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jul 23

🇪🇺🇨🇳 On the eve of the EU–China summit, Ties Dams asks: Can Europe earn great power recognition? or is it still caught between U.S. decline and China's rise? 50 years after the genesis of EU-China relations, the stakes are just as high

🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...

#EU #China #Geopolitics #Summit

The EU–China Summit: Past and Present

big-europe.eu

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jul 22

‘On the European continent, ‘civilization’ is almost considered a dirty word...'

🇪🇺🇨🇳With the EU-China summit fast approaching in the next few days, can historical identity become a form of soft power in today’s geopolitical order?

Read more here:
big-europe.eu/publications...

China, civilization and political discourse

big-europe.eu

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jul 11

Delighted to present BIG’s ‘Green Realpolitik: Recasting Europe’s Climate and Energy Diplomacy’ by @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social

A clear-sighted look at what’s at stake as Europe attempts to carry forward its climate and energy agenda into a new geopolitical era.
big-europe.eu/publications...

Green Realpolitik: Recasting Europe’s Climate and Energy Diplomacy

big-europe.eu

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jun 25

Russia disregards Europe at its peril, warns BIG's Claude-France Arnould.

As the NATO summit ends in The Hague, she explores centuries of conflict and why Moscow tends to underestimate Europe ⬇️
big-europe.eu/publications...

Russia disregards Europe at its peril

big-europe.eu

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jun 23

Joshua Livestro traces Europe’s federal tradition from Machiavelli to Monnet—arguing it’s rooted not in ideals but geostrategic necessity: unity for power, not just peace. A resilient way to frame the EU narrative as we head into the #NATOsummit with big challenges ahead.

shorturl.at/F83GR

Revisiting Europe’s Intellectual Foundations for the Geopolitical Age

shorturl.at

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Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jun 19

📝 Writing for BIG, author Ophélie Coelho outlines the need for Europe to carve a path to digital independence, away from the United States and China.

Does Europe have the infrastructure to accomplish total digital sovereignty?

Read more here: shorturl.at/9zCu8

The Race for Europe’s Digital Future

shorturl.at

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jun 19

🔊 Is Europe still the centre of culture?

New Handing Over the Mic ep features Louma Salamé, director of the Boghossian Foundation, in conversation with Christine Mhundwa & Elisa Díaz Gras.

From Louvre Abu Dhabi to Doha’s Mathaf, we explore how artistic dialogue can foster a diplomatic impact

Brussels Institute for Geopolitics @bigeurope.bsky.social · Jun 18

Mapping Geopolitics

South Africa’s ICJ case has triggered political and legal rifts. A new research map on our website shows how countries are aligning

big-europe.eu/publications/2025-06-13-the-un-convention-on-genocide-and-the-gaza-war-legal-responsibility-in-a-fractured-international-order