Why did Germany approve provision of German-made tanks for Ukraine’s defence only after months of pressure and downright bashing of Chancellor Scholz and his party, both at home and abroad? This torment, explains PhD researcher Marius Ghincea, stems from a contest over elementary foreign-policy principles, combined with the rhetorical coercion that is customary practice in democracies.

There is no justification for the atrocities committed by Russia against the people of Ukraine. This does not stop scholars from trying to explain Putin’s decision to invade. John Mearsheimer’s recent lecture at the EUI was one such attempt – which fails on multiple counts, the authors argue.

Analysing a survey in five EU countries, Research Fellows Ioana-Elena Oana and Alexandru Moise find Hungarians and Poles to have the widest disagreement about EU membership for Ukraine and about ending energy dependence on Russia.

The EU’s Strategic Compass for Security and Defence was approved in the midst of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. In this assessment of the Compass, Visiting Fellow Michael Sanfey underlines the challenges of internal coordination and external cooperation, and regrets the lack of clarity on the EU’s peaceful raison d’être.

Following the invasion of Ukraine, there is much talk of ‘smart sanctions’ – those with a strong impact on Russia but a low cost for the EU. Visiting Schuman Fellow Daniel Gros argues that a tariff on imports of gas might be smartest sanction of all.

Five years after the historic peace treaty in Colombia, in some places conflicts continue to simmer and a longing for change persists. PhD Researchers Wolfgang Minatti and Laura Ramírez report from their fieldwork in one region.

On International Women’s Day, STG Policy Leader Fellow Bayartsetseg Jigmiddash provides an insider’s look at the state of gender mainstreaming in the security sector. It’s not enough to simply “add women and stir”.

France’s reactions to the terrible terrorist attack of 16 October seem to imply that the fight against terrorism might justify sacrificing human rights and the rule of law. EUI Ph.D. researcher in Law Sophie Duroy looks at the issue.