News & Analysis

May 27, 2026

Macron’s Nuclear Bet: For the First Time, France Is Ready to Deploy Weapons on Allied Soil

France has announced a fundamental shift in its nuclear deterrence doctrine — including the unprecedented option of forward-basing nuclear-armed aircraft on allied territory. With US security guarantees in doubt, Macron is betting France’s deterrent can fill the gap.

News & Analysis

May 27, 2026

Only 3% Covered: Europe Is Racing to Rebuild the Civil Defence Infrastructure It Abandoned

Poland is mandating bomb shelters in every new building. Germany just unveiled a €10 billion civil protection programme. And Brussels can barely help — civil defence is a national competence, and the EU has spent decades treating it as someone else's problem.

News & Analysis

May 26, 2026

The Iran Deal Is Almost Done. Europe Wants to Make Sure It Sticks.

Washington is closing in on a ceasefire deal with Tehran that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. EU officials are not at the table — but they have clear demands, and a lot to lose if the deal is done wrong.

News & Analysis

May 26, 2026

Russia Fires a Nuclear-Capable Missile at Ukraine. Europe Has a Response. It May Not Be Enough.

Russia fired a nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile at Ukraine in one of its biggest attacks of the war. EU officials called it ‘reckless nuclear brinkmanship’ — and promised more support. The harder question is what Europe can actually do.

News & Analysis

May 25, 2026

Brussels Rewrites Its Merger Rules for the First Time in 20 Years — and Opens a Door for European Champions

The European Commission has published its first comprehensive overhaul of EU merger rules in over two decades, creating new space for efficiency arguments, protecting innovative acquisitions, and explicitly favouring consolidation in defence and critical minerals.

News & Analysis

May 22, 2026

UK Issues Russian Energy Licences. EU Says Now Is Not the Time.

Britain has loosened two Russia sanctions restrictions over the Iran war energy crisis. The EU says the timing is wrong — and G7 partners weren't told first.