News & Analysis

Jul 15, 2026

Europe Can Field an Army. It Still Can't Say What It's For.

The EU just ran its largest-ever military exercise and is breaking spending records. But a sharper question now divides the continent: as NATO turns more European, what is Brussels' defence machinery actually for?

News & Analysis

Jul 10, 2026

Le Pen Convicted on Appeal — but Free to Run in 2027

A Paris appeals court upheld Marine Le Pen's conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds but shortened her ban from office, leaving her eligible to run in 2027 — if she accepts an electronic tag.

News & Analysis

Jul 7, 2026

EU tobacco review isn't solid enough to justify tougher rules yet

A new assessment from the European Policy Innovation Council says the Commission's review of EU tobacco rules is a decent diagnosis but not proof, and that the real case for a revision still has to be made in the impact assessment to come.

News & Analysis

Jul 7, 2026

NATO's Ankara Summit: Europe Spends Big to Keep Trump Onside

NATO's leaders meet in Ankara on 7-8 July for a summit built around one delicate task: convince Donald Trump the alliance is still worth keeping, while Europe quietly takes over more of its own defence.

News & Analysis

Jul 2, 2026

Ireland Takes the EU's Helm — and Can't Defend Its Own Skies

Ireland began its six-month EU Council presidency on 1 July with an ambitious agenda on competitiveness, enlargement and security — and no radar, warships or air defences of its own. France and Britain are guarding the skies over Dublin.

News & Analysis

Jul 1, 2026

Brussels Backed Off the 2035 Engine Ban. Its Ministers Still Can't Agree

EU environment ministers remain split over how far to soften the bloc's 2035 combustion-engine rules, after the Commission proposed replacing a full ban with a 90% emissions cut. Germany and carmakers want flexibility; Italy and several southern and eastern states want to slow the timetable further.