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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2h

China and Russia share deep ideological and geopolitical ties, but Beijing’s support for Moscow is far from limitless. The EU has more leverage than we think to raise the costs of that support.

📊Explore the data story: ow.ly/xy8s50X5xVt

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 6h

“In key dual-use categories, Brussels holds more potential leverage over Beijing than is widely assumed: restrictions on EU exports could compel China to prioritise its own domestic needs, indirectly limiting Russia’s access to critical goods.”
Our analysis in SCMP ⤵️ www.scmp.com/news/china/a...

Europe hunts for chokepoints it can weaponise in a new age of economic warfare

Bureaucrats look for leverage against coercion from Beijing and Washington but what would it take for Brussels to act?

www.scmp.com

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Reposted by EU Institute for Security Studies

EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 1d

Russia & others are using new techs like generative AI to lead large-scale psychological operations, distorting perceptions & influencing behaviour. To stay resilient, the EU must embed cognitive security across all levels of its security policy.
➡️ ow.ly/KtMH50X7IZ1

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 1d

Russia & others are using new techs like generative AI to lead large-scale psychological operations, distorting perceptions & influencing behaviour. To stay resilient, the EU must embed cognitive security across all levels of its security policy.
➡️ ow.ly/KtMH50X7IZ1

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 1d

Europe still has a role to play in preventing a new Israel–Iran war. Pragmatic diplomacy, coordination with Gulf partners, and restraint on all sides are key to keeping the region from sliding back into conflict. ➡️ ow.ly/46m950X7BfS

Israel and Iran on the brink: Preventing the next war

The 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025 profoundly altered the strategic landscape of the Middle East, leaving the risk of military escalation dangerously high. In this uncertain environment, Europe c...

ow.ly

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Reposted by EU Institute for Security Studies

EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2d

The limits of the "unlimited friendship"

China fuels Russia’s war but only when the costs are low and the gains high. The EU must use this dependance gap. Here is how ⤵️🧵

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2d

Europe cannot dismantle the China–Russia partnership, but it can reshape it by curbing Beijing’s support. This would have enormous consequences for Moscow. ow.ly/xy8s50X5xVt

The dependence gap in Russia-China relations

Tracing where pragmatism ends and geopolitical signalling begins.

ow.ly

EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2d

By tightening controls on dual-use and critical goods, expanding secondary sanctions and leveraging access to European markets, Europe can raise the costs of Chinese support to Russia.

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2d

China is not self-sufficient in many dual-use goods. It still relies on imports from Europe in several key categories.

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2d

China does react to external pressure when the costs are real. Secondary sanctions have proven effective.

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2d

Russia is increasingly dependent on China, while Beijing remains highly independent, even on oil. This asymmetry gives China leeway.

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2d

The limits of the "unlimited friendship"

China fuels Russia’s war but only when the costs are low and the gains high. The EU must use this dependance gap. Here is how ⤵️🧵

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 2d

Europe talks tough on defence but moves slowly. It still faces critical shortfalls in long-range strike, air defence or intelligence. Small-group cooperation could help plug the gaps, writes @lscazzieri.bsky.social.
👉 ow.ly/7X6b50X6VIA

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 5d

After the 12-day war, Israel–Iran tensions remain dangerously high. In this volatile environment, Europe can still play a critical diplomatic role, explains Ellie Geranmayeh.

👉 Read the analysis: www.iss.europa.eu/publications...

EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 5d

Full house at @austriaateu.bsky.social for our high-level dialogue with @carnegieeurope.bsky.social. We switched the perspective & discussed the #WesternBalkans not only as recipients of security, but as essential contributors to Europe’s security architecture.

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 6d

China fuels Russia’s war, but only when the costs are low and the gains are high. The EU has real leverage: as a key trading partner, it can raise the price of Chinese support.

🔗 Full analysis: ow.ly/xy8s50X5xVt

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 6d

EU Member States must move beyond symbolism and give the #EPC real political weight: by clarifying its purpose, tying it to EU priorities and delivering more than high-level talks. www.iss.europa.eu/publications...

A stage without a script? How can the European Political Community live up to its ambition?

Albania hosted the sixth edition of the European Political Community (EPC) on 16 May. But the political weight of the EPC still falls short of expectations. Rather than letting the EPC drift into irre...

www.iss.europa.eu

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 6d

#EPC meeting: while informal talks can be useful "we had bigger expectations", Bojana Zorić tells Politico. “There is a risk that it becomes just another multilateral platform for sideline meetings, and we have many of them.” www.politico.eu/article/macr...

Macron’s big European meeting is turning into a speed-dating exercise

The once-hyped European Political Community hasn’t produced major deliverables, but it’s still useful for dialogue and showcasing policy initiatives.

www.politico.eu

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 7d

Fighter jets are too costly against cheap #drones and Europe can’t rely on the US, which is also new to this game. @gspataf95.bsky.social in the Washington Post on the EU's planned "drone wall". www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 7d

Are Europeans willing to support & defend each other? Today, we uncovered the results of a survey by @eui-eu.bsky.social & @yougov.co.uk on solidarity in Europe, examining public support to Ukraine & the effect of the new Trump presidency. Crisis can both unite & divide Europe. Results public soon!

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Reposted by EU Institute for Security Studies

Steven Everts @sbeverts.bsky.social · 7d

How to organise Europe’s defence ramp up?

As EU leaders meet in Copenhagen, here an argument that the real momentum lies in shifting coalitions - more than the EU at 27 or NATO at 32.

A patchwork of small groups. Messy but effective.

Europe is a patchwork, and that is a good thing

In the recent drone attacks, it was always small groups of European countries that took action. Not all important decisions are made by all 27 EU Member States.

www.iss.europa.eu

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 7d

Hello! Both events were in close succession but the Sarajevo Security Conference was last week-end and the Warsaw Security Forum started right after that. Hot topics!

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 8d

Thousands of Chinese worker will be sent to Europe to build EV battery plants, but Xi Jinping insists on keeping crown jewel technologies at home. This decreases Europe's chances of achieving reverse tech transfer, @joristeer.bsky.social tells the @financialtimes.com.

🔗 www.ft.com/content/0f26...

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 8d

Europe is a patchwork of shifting coalitions but in defence, that patchwork is where Europe’s real strength lies argues @sbeverts.bsky.social. Messy, yet effective.

🔗 Read the analysis: www.iss.europa.eu/publications...

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EU Institute for Security Studies @euiss.bsky.social · 8d

We were glad to be at the Sarajevo Security Conference, hosting a panel on #ForeignInterference in the #WesternBalkans. Experts discussed domestic enablers & external drivers, allies & adversaries and ways to strengthen resilience.

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