Publications

Despite persistent concerns raised by civil society groups, the European Commission has started to gradually implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Pact was one of the most contentious pieces of legislation within the EU bubble during the 2019-24 legislative cycle and is expected to be fully in force by mid-2026, ushering in a new migration and asylum regime for Europe.

AI is everywhere, quietly making decisions that impact our daily lives – from the level of healthcare we receive to whether we get approved for a job. But what happens when the very system designed to make our lives easier actually reinforces discrimination?

Extreme weather events driven by climate change increasingly threaten farmers’ land and yields. The consequences of this are intensifying food insecurity, the risk of famine and soaring food prices.

The debate over migration policies in Europe is awash with misinformation, particularly regarding migrants’ impact on the European economy. Yet delving deeper into the details reveals that migrants could actually be key to securing Europe’s economic future.

Disinformation about the EU and its enlargement plans in the Eastern Neighbourhood is a growing concern. As the EU considers expanding its frontiers to include countries such as Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, disinformation tactics are actively working to undermine these efforts.

The Mediterranean region is on fire – and Europe’s approach to it is only adding more fuel to the inferno. From Libya to Syria and Lebanon, conflicts in the Southern Neighbourhood threaten the long-term security of the entire region.

As the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act has started to land on policymakers’ desks, it’s a good reminder that we need to urgently bolster the EU’s strategic autonomy due to the unstable geopolitical situation we’re currently living through.

In summer 2023, Germany’s coalition government put forward one of the most radical pieces of climate legislation in the country’s history. According to the proposed bill, new heating systems would have to be powered by at least 65 % renewables, which effectively meant mandating the installation of electric heat pumps and banning gas boilers in private homes.

You are with a group of friends at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a dangerously ferocious river. About to jump, you realise you are wearing a bathing suit, your friend is in high heels and another is completely drunk. In that moment, it’s clear – you’re all not equally prepared to take the leap.

Russia’s continued aggression and the war in Ukraine have demonstrated how hybrid tactics may be used to undermine political stability through purposeful and coordinated efforts that transcend geographical borders. The Strategic Compass for Security and Defence is the EU’s latest attempt at bringing focus on hybrid threats to the fore.

When I first heard about YouTube, Twitter and co. kicking Russian state media off their platforms in response to disinformation about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I felt substantial unease. Not because I thought they did not deserve it but because it was yet another example of how online platforms have near-absolute discretion in their content moderation decisions. This untamed power has caused a legitimacy crisis. But digital constitutionalism can help to solve it.

COP26 marked a milestone in the inclusion of different voices in climate discussions. Yet climate action needs to go beyond what was agreed upon. Moreover, younger generations will be at the core of the debate because of our self-interest in having a sustainable planet.