Europe’s Quiet Power: Why Strategic Autonomy Should Be Built on Existing Strengths
Europe’s Quiet Power: Why Strategic Autonomy Should Be Built on Existing Strengths

Reframing Europe’s Autonomy Debate Europe’s strategic autonomy is frequently discussed in the language of deficit: insufficient military integration, fragmented capital markets, slower growth, and technological dependency. While these constraints are real, they risk obscuring a more consequential reality: Europe is already a systemic power in the global economy. Unlike the United States and China, whose

February 12, 2026

Europe’s Quiet Power: Why Strategic Autonomy Should Be Built on Existing Strengths
Ukraine is leading a military revolution but needs more Western support
Ukraine is leading a military revolution but needs more Western support

Ukraine entered 2026 in a seemingly perilous position, with Russian forces advancing on the battlefield and Ukrainian cities experiencing prolonged blackouts due to relentless Russian bombardment of critical infrastructure. This is adding to concerns that Ukraine’s defenses may be in danger of fraying. The country’s new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed in January that around two hundred

February 9, 2026

Ukraine is leading a military revolution but needs more Western support
U.S.–Iran Relations at the Edge: Nuclear Risk, Regional War Dynamics, and Europe’s Narrowing Policy Space
U.S.–Iran Relations at the Edge: Nuclear Risk, Regional War Dynamics, and Europe’s Narrowing Policy Space

European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP) U.S.–Iran relations have entered a high-volatility phase in early February 2026, characterized by simultaneous signals of renewed diplomacy and heightened military posturing. Recent reporting indicates both sides are “examining” or “seriously” considering negotiations while a U.S. naval buildup near Iran and Iranian warnings of region-wide escalation amplify

February 2, 2026

U.S.–Iran Relations at the Edge: Nuclear Risk, Regional War Dynamics, and Europe’s Narrowing Policy Space
Europe’s Quiet Power: Why Strategic Autonomy Should Be Built on Existing Strengths
Europe’s Quiet Power: Why Strategic Autonomy Should Be Built on Existing Strengths

Reframing Europe’s Autonomy Debate Europe’s strategic autonomy is frequently discussed in the language of deficit: insufficient military integration, fragmented capital markets, slower growth, and technological dependency. While these constraints are real, they risk obscuring a more consequential reality: Europe is already a systemic power in the global economy. Unlike the United States and China, whose

February 12, 2026

Europe’s Quiet Power: Why Strategic Autonomy Should Be Built on Existing Strengths
Ukraine is leading a military revolution but needs more Western support
Ukraine is leading a military revolution but needs more Western support

Ukraine entered 2026 in a seemingly perilous position, with Russian forces advancing on the battlefield and Ukrainian cities experiencing prolonged blackouts due to relentless Russian bombardment of critical infrastructure. This is adding to concerns that Ukraine’s defenses may be in danger of fraying. The country’s new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed in January that around two hundred

February 9, 2026

Ukraine is leading a military revolution but needs more Western support
U.S.–Iran Relations at the Edge: Nuclear Risk, Regional War Dynamics, and Europe’s Narrowing Policy Space
U.S.–Iran Relations at the Edge: Nuclear Risk, Regional War Dynamics, and Europe’s Narrowing Policy Space

European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP) U.S.–Iran relations have entered a high-volatility phase in early February 2026, characterized by simultaneous signals of renewed diplomacy and heightened military posturing. Recent reporting indicates both sides are “examining” or “seriously” considering negotiations while a U.S. naval buildup near Iran and Iranian warnings of region-wide escalation amplify

February 2, 2026

U.S.–Iran Relations at the Edge: Nuclear Risk, Regional War Dynamics, and Europe’s Narrowing Policy Space

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Ukraine is leading a military revolution but needs more Western support

Ukraine entered 2026 in a seemingly perilous position, with Russian forces advancing on the battlefield and Ukrainian cities experiencing prolonged blackouts due to relentless Russian bombardment of critical infrastructure. This

More

Ukraine is leading a military revolution but needs more Western support

Ukraine entered 2026 in a seemingly perilous position, with Russian forces advancing on the battlefield and Ukrainian cities experiencing prolonged blackouts due to relentless Russian bombardment of critical infrastructure. This

More

U.S.–Iran Relations at the Edge: Nuclear Risk, Regional War Dynamics, and Europe’s Narrowing Policy Space

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Meet the team

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Dr Bojana Zori

Dr Bojana Zori is a Policy Analyst at the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), specialising in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood. Her work focuses on political and security dynamics in these regions, with particular attention to emerging threats, the influence of external actors, and their implications for EU foreign policy and the enlargement process.

Len Moma

Len Moma is the editor in chief of European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She specializes in Europe and the Middle East and the interplay between those two spaces. She has particular expertise on foreign and defense policy, European geopolitics, and the transatlantic relationship.

Alix Rondbary

Alix Rondbary. Prior to joining the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP)., Dr Alix was a Senior Advisor in the Asia-Pacific Department of the EEAS, acting as the Alternate EU SOM for the ASEM process. He was also a Member of the Cabinet of HR/VP Catherine Ashton with responsibility for Asia and the Pacific, Turkey, and the general issue of how to frame and strengthen the EU’s relations with its strategic partners. Between 2005 and 2009.

Dr Rosa Halon

Dr Rosa Halon is the director of the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). Her fields of expertise include European politics, institutions, and foreign and security policy. Her current research focuses on the relationship between domestic politics and Europe’s global role.

She is the author of books, research-based articles, and opinion pieces in the international press on issues relating to European politics and international relations.

Dr Juseppe Spata

Dr Juseppe Spata is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), where he leads the portfolio on transatlantic and EU-NATO relations and MENA.

In this capacity, he monitors trends and policy developments related to EU-US and NATO-EU relations, as well as the broader transatlantic relationship (North and South), covering the full range of security challenges.

Mila Pandrson

Mila Pandrson is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She leads the portfolio on Energy security.
Pandrson holds a MPhil in Regional Studies and History from the University of Oxford with a focus on the Southern Neighbourhood and the Middle East. He holds a BA with honours in International History from the London School of Economics (LSE).

Dr Bojana Zori

Dr Bojana Zori is a Policy Analyst at the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), specialising in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood. Her work focuses on political and security dynamics in these regions, with particular attention to emerging threats, the influence of external actors, and their implications for EU foreign policy and the enlargement process.

Len Moma

Len Moma is the editor in chief of European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She specializes in Europe and the Middle East and the interplay between those two spaces. She has particular expertise on foreign and defense policy, European geopolitics, and the transatlantic relationship.

Alix Rondbary

Alix Rondbary. Prior to joining the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP)., Dr Alix was a Senior Advisor in the Asia-Pacific Department of the EEAS, acting as the Alternate EU SOM for the ASEM process. He was also a Member of the Cabinet of HR/VP Catherine Ashton with responsibility for Asia and the Pacific, Turkey, and the general issue of how to frame and strengthen the EU’s relations with its strategic partners. Between 2005 and 2009.

Dr Rosa Halon

Dr Rosa Halon is the director of the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). Her fields of expertise include European politics, institutions, and foreign and security policy. Her current research focuses on the relationship between domestic politics and Europe’s global role.

She is the author of books, research-based articles, and opinion pieces in the international press on issues relating to European politics and international relations.

Dr Juseppe Spata

Dr Juseppe Spata is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), where he leads the portfolio on transatlantic and EU-NATO relations and MENA.

In this capacity, he monitors trends and policy developments related to EU-US and NATO-EU relations, as well as the broader transatlantic relationship (North and South), covering the full range of security challenges.

Mila Pandrson

Mila Pandrson is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She leads the portfolio on Energy security.
Pandrson holds a MPhil in Regional Studies and History from the University of Oxford with a focus on the Southern Neighbourhood and the Middle East. He holds a BA with honours in International History from the London School of Economics (LSE).

Dr Bojana Zori

Dr Bojana Zori is a Policy Analyst at the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), specialising in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood. Her work focuses on political and security dynamics in these regions, with particular attention to emerging threats, the influence of external actors, and their implications for EU foreign policy and the enlargement process.

Len Moma

Len Moma is the editor in chief of European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She specializes in Europe and the Middle East and the interplay between those two spaces. She has particular expertise on foreign and defense policy, European geopolitics, and the transatlantic relationship.

Alix Rondbary

Alix Rondbary. Prior to joining the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP)., Dr Alix was a Senior Advisor in the Asia-Pacific Department of the EEAS, acting as the Alternate EU SOM for the ASEM process. He was also a Member of the Cabinet of HR/VP Catherine Ashton with responsibility for Asia and the Pacific, Turkey, and the general issue of how to frame and strengthen the EU’s relations with its strategic partners. Between 2005 and 2009.

Dr Rosa Halon

Dr Rosa Halon is the director of the European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). Her fields of expertise include European politics, institutions, and foreign and security policy. Her current research focuses on the relationship between domestic politics and Europe’s global role.

She is the author of books, research-based articles, and opinion pieces in the international press on issues relating to European politics and international relations.

Dr Juseppe Spata

Dr Juseppe Spata is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP), where he leads the portfolio on transatlantic and EU-NATO relations and MENA.

In this capacity, he monitors trends and policy developments related to EU-US and NATO-EU relations, as well as the broader transatlantic relationship (North and South), covering the full range of security challenges.

Mila Pandrson

Mila Pandrson is a Research Analyst at European Centre for Strategic Studies and Policy (ECSAP). She leads the portfolio on Energy security.
Pandrson holds a MPhil in Regional Studies and History from the University of Oxford with a focus on the Southern Neighbourhood and the Middle East. He holds a BA with honours in International History from the London School of Economics (LSE).

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