After one year of war in Ukraine, it is evident that European countries must significantly increase their defence spending and rebuild their capabilities. Whilst it is true that Germany has taken some independent steps forward regarding defence, this is not detrimental to collective European defence efforts. In fact, greater Franco-German cooperation (and a more defence-minded...Read More

I believe that the recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) offer immense opportunities for the field of education. The recent developments in artificial intelligence have created a wave of fear-based responses in the education sector. Many schools and policymakers have reacted to the rise of AI by creating software that can detect AI-generated content and...Read More

The European Union’s (EU) regulation on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) brings crypto-assets, crypto-assets issuers and crypto-asset service providers under a harmonized legal framework covering this sector for the first time.  Given the global nature of crypto-markets, it is anticipated that EU-level regulation should be a more effective governance structure than has been the case with...Read More

This article[i] outlines how collaborative initiatives in the emerging drone industry in Europe, supported by the institutions and executive agencies of the European Commission, may encourage new developments of various industrial use cases in order to strengthen the “green” markets in all sectors as well as the geopolitical role of the . One of the...Read More

The article (link) examines the rationale behind the exploration by the vast majority of the world’s central banks of introducing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The phenomenon is discussed in the context of a number of key issues: a) the main drivers of central bank interest, b) the crucial role of public money in supporting...Read More

Two well-respected analysts and commentators, John Mearsheimer (2022) and Wolfgang Streeck (2022a and b), have recently put forward a persuasive thesis that historical and contemporary fault-lines are placing the EU in a position where its political and economic independence may be terminally challenged (see especially Streeck (2022b) in an Unheard interview. In summary, the thesis...Read More

Despite the apparent acceptance at international level of several linked, though in some cases contradictory, norms, namely the (civic) nation-state sovereignty, the territorial integrity of nations-states, unitary and federal governance structures, and the right of self-determination, these norms are frequently challenged. The artificiality of such norms – confirmed only by the flimsy apparatus of international...Read More

In 1978, Vaclac Havel wrote an essay, “The Power of the Powerless”. It followed the publication of “Charter 77” in 1977. In the essay Havel attempted to explain his view of what it meant to be a dissident in Czechoslovakia at that time, but the essay also described the nature of the all-pervasive ideology prevalent...Read More

There seems little doubt either that a new Cold War is appearing in the world, or of its ideological content. This is not to dismiss economic competition and security issues, but there needs to be a recognition of the ideological content of the contemporary antagonisms. The difference with the new Cold War is that the...Read More

Negotiation involving compromises on both sides will spare the people suffering, while preserving their sovereignty and independence. “Forget the cheese – let’s get out of the trap” — Robert A. Lovett, U.S. Secretary of Defense 1951-53. The talks now underway in Belarus between Ukraine and Russia provide the possibility of a peace agreement and an...Read More