One ‘Ultimate Resource’ to Rule Them All: Lessons from Economic Thought for Today’s European Geoeconomics
Abstract Europe still treats tonnes and cubic metres of natural resources as fixed facts in a zero-sum geopolitical game. This article revives an almost forgotten episode of economic history to challenge this view. The face-off between neo-Malthusian and Cornucopian thinkers shows that scarcity is cognitive, not geological; the human mind is the Ultimate Resource that […]
Europe’s Strategic Opportunity in Quantum Computing
Introduction In an era of intensifying global competition over critical resources, quantum computing is a strategic frontier. Like energy or AI, quantum technologies are now recognized as a geopolitical asset, most recently highlighted at forums such as the G7 in Canada, where leading nations underscored their importance for economic growth, security, and digital transition. The […]
How to Bridge the EU’s and Ukraine’s Defence Industries: Mechanisms and Directions
Abstract The European Union and its Member States are showing a genuine interest in Ukraine’s military-industrial complex because it combines innovation, efficiency, and battlefield-proven capabilities. In the period 2024–2025 the EU made several significant strategic decisions regarding military and technical support for Ukraine, as well as the strengthening of its own defence capabilities. If implemented, […]
Protecting Europe’s Critical Connectivity Infrastructure through Trusted Partnerships
Reliable and resilient connectivity: A fundamental resource for the digital world The digitisation of our economies, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a reliance on fast and resilient digital infrastructure. Digital infrastructure is the foundation for tech innovation, which in turn is essential for Europe’s growth, productivity, and competitiveness. The war in Ukraine […]
Why Energy Efficiency Needs to Be at the Heart of Europe’s Energy Policy
Introduction The European Union’s electrification strategy looks to significantly increase the share of electricity in Europe’s final energy use, with the goal of obtaining a 69 per cent direct electrification rate by 2040. This is an ambitious goal, and one that is easier said than done. That’s because before we can electrify, we must first […]
Winning the Talent War in Europe : The Workforce of Today and Tomorrow
Abstract This paper examines the Trans-Caucasus Transit Corridor (TCTC) as a strategic linchpin in EU connectivity between Europe and Asia. It argues that sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is essential for unlocking the corridor’s full potential, particularly amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and rising instability in the Middle East. The study highlights how Russia’s conflict-driven […]
Peace as a Prerequisite for Connectivity
Abstract This paper examines the Trans-Caucasus Transit Corridor (TCTC) as a strategic linchpin in EU connectivity between Europe and Asia. It argues that sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is essential for unlocking the corridor’s full potential, particularly amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and rising instability in the Middle East. The study highlights how Russia’s conflict-driven […]
Türkiye’s Energy Diplomacy and the Softening of Sanctions: Risks for European Energy Security
Abstract Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Türkiye has emerged as a pivotal enabler of Russia’s sanctions evasion by serving as a critical hub for laundering oil, gas, and dual-use goods. By exploiting regulatory loopholes, Türkiye has facilitated the continued flow of Russian energy into Europe, undermining the EU’s decoupling strategy and weakening the integrity […]
Greenland and the EU’s Arctic Ambitions
Abstract As climate change and geoeconomic interests reshape the Arctic, Greenland is emerging as a key player in securing access to resources, trade routes, and influence in this increasingly contested region. The European Union must move beyond passive rhetoric and adopt a proactive approach by investing in Greenland’s infrastructure, fostering institutional partnerships, and integrating Greenland […]
Strategic Autonomy on Food Starts with Fertilisers
Abstract Critical raw materials (CRMs) are not mere commodities but the essential building blocks of modern technologies, prosperity, and security. As global demand accelerates, a strategic race is emerging to secure access to these vital resources, fuelling competition and geopolitical tension. This article examines the European Union’s vulnerable starting position in this contest, given its […]
Competition for Competitiveness
Abstract Critical raw materials (CRMs) are not mere commodities but the essential building blocks of modern technologies, prosperity, and security. As global demand accelerates, a strategic race is emerging to secure access to these vital resources, fuelling competition and geopolitical tension. This article examines the European Union’s vulnerable starting position in this contest, given its […]
Powering a New World Order?
The eternal battle: from Pericles to Zelenskyy Thucydides’ (460–395 bce) masterpiece History of the Peloponnesian War is required reading in many classes on international relations, strategy, and security studies. The importance of this Greek classic has once again become evident in the twenty-first century, when interstate wars, overt and covert means of coercion, and pandemics […]
Serbia’s Lithium Dilemma: A Challenging Test for the EU’s Raw Materials Diplomacy
Abstract As the EU accelerates its pursuit of critical raw materials to support its green transition and enhance strategic autonomy, lithium – an essential component of electric vehicle batteries – has gained significant importance. This article examines the EU’s strategic interest in securing lithium through the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and evaluates Serbia’s potential […]
Walking a Tightrope: The EU and US Interest in Ukraine’s Critical Raw Materials
Abstract This article explores the geopolitical and economic dimensions of the global race for critical raw materials (CRMs), focusing on Ukraine’s emerging strategic role. As the European Union and the United States strive to secure supply chains essential for decarbonisation, digitalisation, and defence, Ukraine has become a focal point due to its abundant untapped CRM […]
A Liberal Response to Europe’s Population Decline
Abstract Europe’s population decline presents not just a demographic challenge but a strategic threat to the continent’s economic vitality, political stability, and global competitiveness. This paper offers a liberal response to the crisis, arguing that demographic sustainability requires more than technocratic fixes it demands values-based, future-oriented policy. From reforming family support and pension systems to […]