Skip to content

Sign in to follow sections, save articles, and get notifications.

First Take

Quick reactions to breaking events — what just happened and why it matters for Europe.


All Articles
No. 026 1 min Nov 28, 2025

Moldova's European Dream Faces a Russian Nightmare

Moldova opened EU accession negotiations in 2024, but Russian interference, Transnistria, and energy dependence threaten to derail the process.

“Waiting times for psychiatric care exceed six months in most EU countries. Youth mental health indicators are at their worst recorded levels. Europe is facing a silent crisis that its healthcare syste...”

Dr. Anna Kowalski, Senior Fellow · European Security
No. 023 1 min Oct 20, 2025

The Quiet Revolution in European Defence Procurement

The EU Defence Industrial Strategy is pushing member states to buy weapons together. It is messy, political, and exactly what Europe needs.

No. 022 1 min Oct 8, 2025

Germany's Coalition Crisis Is Europe's Problem Too

With the traffic-light coalition fracturing over fiscal policy, Germany is unable to lead on European defence, energy, or enlargement. The consequences extend f...

No. 021 1 min Sep 22, 2025

The Arctic Is Melting. So Is the Old Security Order.

Climate change has opened new shipping routes and resource deposits in the Arctic. Russia, China, and NATO are all racing to stake their claims.