Brussels Institute for Geopolitics
@bigeurope.bsky.social
BIG brings together thought leaders from politics, business and civil society to help Europe get in shape for the new era of great power politics.
In recent weeks, the #EU described #Georgia as a membership candidate ‘in name only’. How did it come to this for Tbilisi?
The country's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili writes for BIG on what's at stake - and what Europe should do now. 💡⬇️
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#Enlargement #Caucasus
The country's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili writes for BIG on what's at stake - and what Europe should do now. 💡⬇️
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#Enlargement #Caucasus
November 13, 2025 at 9:19 AM
In recent weeks, the #EU described #Georgia as a membership candidate ‘in name only’. How did it come to this for Tbilisi?
The country's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili writes for BIG on what's at stake - and what Europe should do now. 💡⬇️
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#Enlargement #Caucasus
The country's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili writes for BIG on what's at stake - and what Europe should do now. 💡⬇️
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#Enlargement #Caucasus
Reposted by Brussels Institute for Geopolitics
The EU needs an economic security council, @bigeurope.bsky.social’s Luuk van Middelaar & Hans Kribbe argue in our fall issue: ip-quarterly.com/en/eu-needs-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The EU needs an economic security council, @bigeurope.bsky.social’s Luuk van Middelaar & Hans Kribbe argue in our fall issue: ip-quarterly.com/en/eu-needs-...
Between what's agreed in Belém and Europe's green future, there lies uncertain geopolitical reality. Let's explore it! 🔍🍃
📅 Join us at BIG on 18/11 as we chart a course through the geostrategic risks for the EU's green transition - including expert input live from #COP30.
🔗 shorturl.at/rT8Q5
📅 Join us at BIG on 18/11 as we chart a course through the geostrategic risks for the EU's green transition - including expert input live from #COP30.
🔗 shorturl.at/rT8Q5
November 12, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Between what's agreed in Belém and Europe's green future, there lies uncertain geopolitical reality. Let's explore it! 🔍🍃
📅 Join us at BIG on 18/11 as we chart a course through the geostrategic risks for the EU's green transition - including expert input live from #COP30.
🔗 shorturl.at/rT8Q5
📅 Join us at BIG on 18/11 as we chart a course through the geostrategic risks for the EU's green transition - including expert input live from #COP30.
🔗 shorturl.at/rT8Q5
The #EU faces geopolitical dilemmas which demand strategic vision. Writing in @euractiv.com today, BIG's @hanskribbe.bsky.social argues for a new EU #EconomicSecurity Council to create the silo-busting geoeconomic coordination the institutions urgently need. ⬇️
🔗 www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
🔗 www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
How to keep Europe's economy from getting pulverised | Euractiv
Europe’s most serious headaches are neither issues of regulation nor diplomacy; they are both at once. An Economic Security Advisor would be able to pull security-sensitive issues out of the soup of B...
www.euractiv.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:21 AM
The #EU faces geopolitical dilemmas which demand strategic vision. Writing in @euractiv.com today, BIG's @hanskribbe.bsky.social argues for a new EU #EconomicSecurity Council to create the silo-busting geoeconomic coordination the institutions urgently need. ⬇️
🔗 www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
🔗 www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
In death as in life, Kenya's former PM Raila ‘Baba’ Odinga engendered an affection and unity which few European leaders could muster.
📩 Writing from Nairobi, @paulnolan.bsky.social reflects on a leader's legacy - and how his story gave political vibrancy to an entire nation. ➡️ shorturl.at/bvBjA
📩 Writing from Nairobi, @paulnolan.bsky.social reflects on a leader's legacy - and how his story gave political vibrancy to an entire nation. ➡️ shorturl.at/bvBjA
October 28, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In death as in life, Kenya's former PM Raila ‘Baba’ Odinga engendered an affection and unity which few European leaders could muster.
📩 Writing from Nairobi, @paulnolan.bsky.social reflects on a leader's legacy - and how his story gave political vibrancy to an entire nation. ➡️ shorturl.at/bvBjA
📩 Writing from Nairobi, @paulnolan.bsky.social reflects on a leader's legacy - and how his story gave political vibrancy to an entire nation. ➡️ shorturl.at/bvBjA
🎙️ BIG's latest podcast is here - we're Handing Over the Mic to
@irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social
Listen now 🎧⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y
Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG
@irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social
Listen now 🎧⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y
Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG
October 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
🎙️ BIG's latest podcast is here - we're Handing Over the Mic to
@irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social
Listen now 🎧⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y
Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG
@irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social
Listen now 🎧⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y
Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG
💊🚗 #Pharma prowess has become a major lever of power and prestige. But as with the #EV industry, Europe risks being overtaken by #China on drug development and production if it doesn't shift gears now. What lessons can be learned?
🔗 shorturl.at/8tMCF
🔗 shorturl.at/8tMCF
October 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
💊🚗 #Pharma prowess has become a major lever of power and prestige. But as with the #EV industry, Europe risks being overtaken by #China on drug development and production if it doesn't shift gears now. What lessons can be learned?
🔗 shorturl.at/8tMCF
🔗 shorturl.at/8tMCF
🚨 On 6 November, BIG welcomes Sir Nick Clegg for the Brussels launch of his new book, 'How to Save the Internet: The Threat to Global Connection in the Age of AI and Political Conflict'.
Join us! ➡️🔗 Info and registration: shorturl.at/pc8DP
Join us! ➡️🔗 Info and registration: shorturl.at/pc8DP
October 14, 2025 at 10:21 AM
🚨 On 6 November, BIG welcomes Sir Nick Clegg for the Brussels launch of his new book, 'How to Save the Internet: The Threat to Global Connection in the Age of AI and Political Conflict'.
Join us! ➡️🔗 Info and registration: shorturl.at/pc8DP
Join us! ➡️🔗 Info and registration: shorturl.at/pc8DP
🖥️🌍 The EU and its partners share a quest for greater digital independence from China and the US. As Day Two of the #GlobalGateway Forum gets underway in Brussels, Sabine Muscat writes for BIG on how a compelling, just European tech offer to the Global South should take shape.
🔗 shorturl.at/XjQUF
🔗 shorturl.at/XjQUF
October 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🖥️🌍 The EU and its partners share a quest for greater digital independence from China and the US. As Day Two of the #GlobalGateway Forum gets underway in Brussels, Sabine Muscat writes for BIG on how a compelling, just European tech offer to the Global South should take shape.
🔗 shorturl.at/XjQUF
🔗 shorturl.at/XjQUF
As Copenhagen's summit week concludes, disruptive #drone incursions set the tone and brought Moscow's hybrid war to #EUCO. We asked @rynning.bsky.social about the significance of the operation, how the continent should respond, and the view from #Denmark.
🔗 shorturl.at/S6koq
@d-ias.bsky.social
🔗 shorturl.at/S6koq
@d-ias.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
As Copenhagen's summit week concludes, disruptive #drone incursions set the tone and brought Moscow's hybrid war to #EUCO. We asked @rynning.bsky.social about the significance of the operation, how the continent should respond, and the view from #Denmark.
🔗 shorturl.at/S6koq
@d-ias.bsky.social
🔗 shorturl.at/S6koq
@d-ias.bsky.social
⛽ Once hailed as 'molecules of freedom', US oil and gas now expose the EU to the whims of the White House.
As #EUCO meets today with a ban on Russian LNG on their agenda, @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social argues that #energy independence lies not in a new supplier, but a new path.
🔗 shorturl.at/Ww3D5
As #EUCO meets today with a ban on Russian LNG on their agenda, @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social argues that #energy independence lies not in a new supplier, but a new path.
🔗 shorturl.at/Ww3D5
October 1, 2025 at 7:48 AM
⛽ Once hailed as 'molecules of freedom', US oil and gas now expose the EU to the whims of the White House.
As #EUCO meets today with a ban on Russian LNG on their agenda, @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social argues that #energy independence lies not in a new supplier, but a new path.
🔗 shorturl.at/Ww3D5
As #EUCO meets today with a ban on Russian LNG on their agenda, @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social argues that #energy independence lies not in a new supplier, but a new path.
🔗 shorturl.at/Ww3D5
❓ Is the European Political Community quietly becoming a new pillar of Europe's geopolitical governance?
That's the BIG idea we discussed yesterday with Her Excellency Daniela Morari, Ambassador of #Moldova to the EU, and a host of other esteemed guests, ahead of the 7th #EPC summit on 2 October.
That's the BIG idea we discussed yesterday with Her Excellency Daniela Morari, Ambassador of #Moldova to the EU, and a host of other esteemed guests, ahead of the 7th #EPC summit on 2 October.
September 24, 2025 at 9:09 AM
🚨🎧 Your weekend listen is here.
🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy.
Listen here ⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI
Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ
🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy.
Listen here ⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI
Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ
September 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
🚨🎧 Your weekend listen is here.
🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy.
Listen here ⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI
Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ
🎙️ In this episode of Handing Over the Mic, we hear from Vera Songwe – economist and leader in development, finance and policy – on Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe and the world economy.
Listen here ⤵️
Spotify: shorturl.at/hcrVI
Apple: shorturl.at/ok7FQ
📱 ‘In the #digital arena, the #EU is still playing a rules-based version of nobody-gets-hurt judo, whereas the other major players have shifted to something more like mixed martial arts.’
In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️
In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️
Time for the gloves to come off in digital policy
big-europe.eu
September 16, 2025 at 7:43 AM
📱 ‘In the #digital arena, the #EU is still playing a rules-based version of nobody-gets-hurt judo, whereas the other major players have shifted to something more like mixed martial arts.’
In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️
In this BIG essay, @dmugge.bsky.social defends European self-determination in an age of digital imperialism. ⤵️
We extend our warmest congratulations to BIG's Advisory Council member Kajsa Ollongren as she takes up this exciting new role with Europe's values firmly at its heart. 👏
Honoured to serve as EUSR for Human Rights. Outlined some thoughts on my new role while on mission in Geneva. What do you think I should focus on? 💡
September 11, 2025 at 8:55 AM
We extend our warmest congratulations to BIG's Advisory Council member Kajsa Ollongren as she takes up this exciting new role with Europe's values firmly at its heart. 👏
🌍 Mapping Geopolitics: The ‘Trump Effect’
Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months.
🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive.
big-europe.eu/publications...
Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months.
🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive.
big-europe.eu/publications...
Europe cools towards the US (but not everywhere all of the time): The ‘Trump Effect’
big-europe.eu
July 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
🌍 Mapping Geopolitics: The ‘Trump Effect’
Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months.
🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive.
big-europe.eu/publications...
Since Trump’s return, EU trust in the US has plunged, from 47% to 29% in just 6 months.
🇩🇰 Denmark saw the biggest drop, while 🇷🇴 Romania & 🇧🇬 Bulgaria stayed positive.
big-europe.eu/publications...
🇨🇳 In 1989, Wang Dan led student protests in Tiananmen Square. “We had no blueprint, only hope.”
As part of BIG's #Project1989, he reflects on that moment, civil society and the struggle for democracy in China and beyond.
🔗 Read the full interview here:
shorturl.at/McBcl
As part of BIG's #Project1989, he reflects on that moment, civil society and the struggle for democracy in China and beyond.
🔗 Read the full interview here:
shorturl.at/McBcl
July 25, 2025 at 8:59 AM
🇨🇳 In 1989, Wang Dan led student protests in Tiananmen Square. “We had no blueprint, only hope.”
As part of BIG's #Project1989, he reflects on that moment, civil society and the struggle for democracy in China and beyond.
🔗 Read the full interview here:
shorturl.at/McBcl
As part of BIG's #Project1989, he reflects on that moment, civil society and the struggle for democracy in China and beyond.
🔗 Read the full interview here:
shorturl.at/McBcl
🌍 As the EU-China summit unfolds in Beijing as we speak, BIG retraces the ancient Silk Road from Rome.
Once a main artery of trade culture, we explore if it is still possible to walk these paths with modern geopolitical roadblocks
🔗 the full map: shorturl.at/O0tJK
#china #summit #eu #geopolitics
Once a main artery of trade culture, we explore if it is still possible to walk these paths with modern geopolitical roadblocks
🔗 the full map: shorturl.at/O0tJK
#china #summit #eu #geopolitics
July 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM
🌍 As the EU-China summit unfolds in Beijing as we speak, BIG retraces the ancient Silk Road from Rome.
Once a main artery of trade culture, we explore if it is still possible to walk these paths with modern geopolitical roadblocks
🔗 the full map: shorturl.at/O0tJK
#china #summit #eu #geopolitics
Once a main artery of trade culture, we explore if it is still possible to walk these paths with modern geopolitical roadblocks
🔗 the full map: shorturl.at/O0tJK
#china #summit #eu #geopolitics
💬 ‘Hunched forward, with mirrored posture, Trump and Zelensky huddle deep in conversation'
📷 In BIG's first photo essay, we how a seemingly impromptu photograph taken before Pope Francis’s funeral service currently stands as the most significant geopolitical image of 2025.
Read: shorturl.at/7J6YV
📷 In BIG's first photo essay, we how a seemingly impromptu photograph taken before Pope Francis’s funeral service currently stands as the most significant geopolitical image of 2025.
Read: shorturl.at/7J6YV
July 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
💬 ‘Hunched forward, with mirrored posture, Trump and Zelensky huddle deep in conversation'
📷 In BIG's first photo essay, we how a seemingly impromptu photograph taken before Pope Francis’s funeral service currently stands as the most significant geopolitical image of 2025.
Read: shorturl.at/7J6YV
📷 In BIG's first photo essay, we how a seemingly impromptu photograph taken before Pope Francis’s funeral service currently stands as the most significant geopolitical image of 2025.
Read: shorturl.at/7J6YV
🇪🇺🇨🇳 On the eve of the EU–China summit, Ties Dams asks: Can Europe earn great power recognition? or is it still caught between U.S. decline and China's rise? 50 years after the genesis of EU-China relations, the stakes are just as high
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#EU #China #Geopolitics #Summit
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#EU #China #Geopolitics #Summit
The EU–China Summit: Past and Present
big-europe.eu
July 23, 2025 at 8:48 AM
🇪🇺🇨🇳 On the eve of the EU–China summit, Ties Dams asks: Can Europe earn great power recognition? or is it still caught between U.S. decline and China's rise? 50 years after the genesis of EU-China relations, the stakes are just as high
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#EU #China #Geopolitics #Summit
🔗 big-europe.eu/publications...
#EU #China #Geopolitics #Summit
‘On the European continent, ‘civilization’ is almost considered a dirty word...'
🇪🇺🇨🇳With the EU-China summit fast approaching in the next few days, can historical identity become a form of soft power in today’s geopolitical order?
Read more here:
big-europe.eu/publications...
🇪🇺🇨🇳With the EU-China summit fast approaching in the next few days, can historical identity become a form of soft power in today’s geopolitical order?
Read more here:
big-europe.eu/publications...
China, civilization and political discourse
big-europe.eu
July 22, 2025 at 12:16 PM
‘On the European continent, ‘civilization’ is almost considered a dirty word...'
🇪🇺🇨🇳With the EU-China summit fast approaching in the next few days, can historical identity become a form of soft power in today’s geopolitical order?
Read more here:
big-europe.eu/publications...
🇪🇺🇨🇳With the EU-China summit fast approaching in the next few days, can historical identity become a form of soft power in today’s geopolitical order?
Read more here:
big-europe.eu/publications...
Delighted to present BIG’s ‘Green Realpolitik: Recasting Europe’s Climate and Energy Diplomacy’ by @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social
A clear-sighted look at what’s at stake as Europe attempts to carry forward its climate and energy agenda into a new geopolitical era.
big-europe.eu/publications...
A clear-sighted look at what’s at stake as Europe attempts to carry forward its climate and energy agenda into a new geopolitical era.
big-europe.eu/publications...
Green Realpolitik: Recasting Europe’s Climate and Energy Diplomacy
big-europe.eu
July 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Delighted to present BIG’s ‘Green Realpolitik: Recasting Europe’s Climate and Energy Diplomacy’ by @thijsvandegraaf.bsky.social
A clear-sighted look at what’s at stake as Europe attempts to carry forward its climate and energy agenda into a new geopolitical era.
big-europe.eu/publications...
A clear-sighted look at what’s at stake as Europe attempts to carry forward its climate and energy agenda into a new geopolitical era.
big-europe.eu/publications...
Russia disregards Europe at its peril, warns BIG's Claude-France Arnould.
As the NATO summit ends in The Hague, she explores centuries of conflict and why Moscow tends to underestimate Europe ⬇️
big-europe.eu/publications...
As the NATO summit ends in The Hague, she explores centuries of conflict and why Moscow tends to underestimate Europe ⬇️
big-europe.eu/publications...
Russia disregards Europe at its peril
big-europe.eu
June 25, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Russia disregards Europe at its peril, warns BIG's Claude-France Arnould.
As the NATO summit ends in The Hague, she explores centuries of conflict and why Moscow tends to underestimate Europe ⬇️
big-europe.eu/publications...
As the NATO summit ends in The Hague, she explores centuries of conflict and why Moscow tends to underestimate Europe ⬇️
big-europe.eu/publications...
Joshua Livestro traces Europe’s federal tradition from Machiavelli to Monnet—arguing it’s rooted not in ideals but geostrategic necessity: unity for power, not just peace. A resilient way to frame the EU narrative as we head into the #NATOsummit with big challenges ahead.
shorturl.at/F83GR
shorturl.at/F83GR
Revisiting Europe’s Intellectual Foundations for the Geopolitical Age
shorturl.at
June 23, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Joshua Livestro traces Europe’s federal tradition from Machiavelli to Monnet—arguing it’s rooted not in ideals but geostrategic necessity: unity for power, not just peace. A resilient way to frame the EU narrative as we head into the #NATOsummit with big challenges ahead.
shorturl.at/F83GR
shorturl.at/F83GR
📝 Writing for BIG, author Ophélie Coelho outlines the need for Europe to carve a path to digital independence, away from the United States and China.
Does Europe have the infrastructure to accomplish total digital sovereignty?
Read more here: shorturl.at/9zCu8
Does Europe have the infrastructure to accomplish total digital sovereignty?
Read more here: shorturl.at/9zCu8
The Race for Europe’s Digital Future
shorturl.at
June 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
📝 Writing for BIG, author Ophélie Coelho outlines the need for Europe to carve a path to digital independence, away from the United States and China.
Does Europe have the infrastructure to accomplish total digital sovereignty?
Read more here: shorturl.at/9zCu8
Does Europe have the infrastructure to accomplish total digital sovereignty?
Read more here: shorturl.at/9zCu8