Jake Benford
@jbenford-berlin.bsky.social
Europe in a geopolitical world @Bertelsmann Stiftung in Berlin. EU external partnerships and strategic governance; German foreign policy; UK politics and society
Ahead of President Steinmeier's first State Visit to London this week, I looked at where the Anglo-German bilateral axis can leverage real complementarities for Europe. Defence and energy lead the list, and smoother EU–UK links would also help, as ever...
bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...
bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...
Turning Anglo-German Alignment into Impact Means Building Security Capability, Scaling Up Energy Supply and Smoothing EU–UK Rules
Anglo-German ties have shifted from post-Brexit fatigue to more deliberate strategic cooperation. Defence coordination is tightening under new agreements, while emerging energy and economic-resilience...
bst-europe.eu
December 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Ahead of President Steinmeier's first State Visit to London this week, I looked at where the Anglo-German bilateral axis can leverage real complementarities for Europe. Defence and energy lead the list, and smoother EU–UK links would also help, as ever...
bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...
bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...
Remarkable. But positions were ultimately too far apart - for now. www.spiegel.de/ausland/gros...
Gespräche über Großbritanniens Beitritt zu EU-Verteidigungsfonds gescheitert
Die Wiederannäherung zwischen Großbritannien und der EU erhält einen Dämpfer: Einen gemeinsamen Verteidigungsfonds wird es wohl nicht geben. London spricht von Enttäuschung.
www.spiegel.de
November 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Remarkable. But positions were ultimately too far apart - for now. www.spiegel.de/ausland/gros...
Reposted by Jake Benford
🇩🇪🤝🇬🇧 From cyber security to global stability, collaboration is key.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wadephul and Foreign Secretary Cooper met in Berlin for a Strategic Dialogue.
This is the #KensingtonTreaty in action: a historic commitment shaping a stronger, safer Europe through trust and teamwork.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wadephul and Foreign Secretary Cooper met in Berlin for a Strategic Dialogue.
This is the #KensingtonTreaty in action: a historic commitment shaping a stronger, safer Europe through trust and teamwork.
November 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
🇩🇪🤝🇬🇧 From cyber security to global stability, collaboration is key.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wadephul and Foreign Secretary Cooper met in Berlin for a Strategic Dialogue.
This is the #KensingtonTreaty in action: a historic commitment shaping a stronger, safer Europe through trust and teamwork.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wadephul and Foreign Secretary Cooper met in Berlin for a Strategic Dialogue.
This is the #KensingtonTreaty in action: a historic commitment shaping a stronger, safer Europe through trust and teamwork.
New HoL report on the EU-UK out, just as the post-Summit honeymoon ends and the waters are getting choppy (and UK domestic politics even choppier). Cautiously welcomes the direction of travel in what will be a long-term process. My own thought right now is that the UK's strategic choices are
It’s out! Here’s @LordsEUCom Report ‘Unfinished Business: resetting the UK- EU relationship’. The Gov’t have made a strong start, esp on security and defence, but there’s still much to do in turning aspirations and goodwill into workable agreements 1/8
publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
publications.parliament.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:28 AM
New HoL report on the EU-UK out, just as the post-Summit honeymoon ends and the waters are getting choppy (and UK domestic politics even choppier). Cautiously welcomes the direction of travel in what will be a long-term process. My own thought right now is that the UK's strategic choices are
Friday's setback - no EU mandate on ETS - means there may be no agreement before CBAM taxes kick-in in January. But this file is still one of the least political and thus do-able, compared to youth mobility, SAFE and even SPS. Reminder that progress on the Common Understanding will not be linear.
November 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Friday's setback - no EU mandate on ETS - means there may be no agreement before CBAM taxes kick-in in January. But this file is still one of the least political and thus do-able, compared to youth mobility, SAFE and even SPS. Reminder that progress on the Common Understanding will not be linear.
Framing UK–EU ETS alignment as a ‘stealth tax’ misses the point. Linking carbon markets isn’t Brussels control - it’s smart climate economics: cuts costs, boosts investment, avoids trade friction & gives UK firms certainty. Climate policy ≠ punishment. www.thetimes.com/uk/transport...
Holidaymakers face stealth tax on flights under EU carbon deal
Passengers on long-haul flights could pay an extra £21 as the government agrees to align with Brussels on carbon emissions
www.thetimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Framing UK–EU ETS alignment as a ‘stealth tax’ misses the point. Linking carbon markets isn’t Brussels control - it’s smart climate economics: cuts costs, boosts investment, avoids trade friction & gives UK firms certainty. Climate policy ≠ punishment. www.thetimes.com/uk/transport...
Strong interview by @dsorennie.bsky.social on Europe's survival in a world of strongmen. Frank on China ("key enabler in Ukraine") and likewise (!) on EU member states (without unity EU's growing toolkit has little worth). The partnership-strategy invites more probing-e.g. what's in it for others?
Her uncompromising stances on Russia and China have ruffled feathers in some European capitals. But “Europe’s new iron lady” remains unfazed.
@dsorennie.bsky.social sits down with @kajakallas.bsky.social in the first episode of Inside Geopolitics, streaming at 6pm London time
@dsorennie.bsky.social sits down with @kajakallas.bsky.social in the first episode of Inside Geopolitics, streaming at 6pm London time
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, on Europe in an era of strongmen | The Economist Insider
Kaja Kallas’s uncompromising stances on Russia and China have ruffled feathers in some European capitals. But “Europe’s new iron lady” remains unfazed. In the first episode of Inside Geopolitics David Rennie, our geopolitics editor, talks to the diplomat about how Europe has been changed by the war in Ukraine, whether to believe Vladimir Putin’s stated ambitions and why Donald Trump’s America is better than Europe at turning economic power into geopolitical clout.
Ms Kallas is the vice-president of the European Commission and served as Estonia’s first female prime minister from 2021 to 2024.
econ.st
October 29, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Strong interview by @dsorennie.bsky.social on Europe's survival in a world of strongmen. Frank on China ("key enabler in Ukraine") and likewise (!) on EU member states (without unity EU's growing toolkit has little worth). The partnership-strategy invites more probing-e.g. what's in it for others?
Reposted by Jake Benford
Does the rise of populism have economic roots, and more protectionist and anti-immigration policies help? Quick thread on my latest piece here
buff.ly/O2SoUok
buff.ly/O2SoUok
October 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Does the rise of populism have economic roots, and more protectionist and anti-immigration policies help? Quick thread on my latest piece here
buff.ly/O2SoUok
buff.ly/O2SoUok
Reposted by Jake Benford
Germany stands for the multilateral system and international law - in the spirit of respect, justice & peace.
That's why we are running for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2027-28.
Today we celebrate 80 years of the United Nations - Happy Birthday! #BetterTogether
That's why we are running for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2027-28.
Today we celebrate 80 years of the United Nations - Happy Birthday! #BetterTogether
October 24, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Germany stands for the multilateral system and international law - in the spirit of respect, justice & peace.
That's why we are running for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2027-28.
Today we celebrate 80 years of the United Nations - Happy Birthday! #BetterTogether
That's why we are running for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2027-28.
Today we celebrate 80 years of the United Nations - Happy Birthday! #BetterTogether
A deeply reported piece on Maga-meddling in the UK. What remains unexplored are the real levels of popular support for the various strands of the UK hard-right. Research in Germany points to worringly high levels of support for authoritarianism-what's the UK equivalent? Sth for a follow-up piece?
Warum Maga sich im UK schon jetzt deutlich machtvoller einmischt als im Rest Europas. Und warum Grossbritannien gegen diese Art der 'foreign interference' sehr viel schlechter gewappnet ist als andere Länder in Europa.
My latest analysis für die @blaetter.bsky.social
Enjoy. 👇
My latest analysis für die @blaetter.bsky.social
Enjoy. 👇
Regimechange leicht gemacht
Zur Zeit des „Empire“ veranstaltete die britische Kolonialregierung in Indien regelmäßig prachtvolle Zeremonien, bei denen die Thronbesteigung eines britischen Monarchen mit großem Prunk und aufwändig...
www.blaetter.de
October 23, 2025 at 9:13 AM
A deeply reported piece on Maga-meddling in the UK. What remains unexplored are the real levels of popular support for the various strands of the UK hard-right. Research in Germany points to worringly high levels of support for authoritarianism-what's the UK equivalent? Sth for a follow-up piece?
Reposted by Jake Benford
Our new divergence is tracker out: auditing the extent to which UK/EU rules and regs have aligned/diverged since June.
It highlights the increasingly awkward position which the UK occupies: of wanting to act like the EU on most regulatory issues, but without being part of the club.
It highlights the increasingly awkward position which the UK occupies: of wanting to act like the EU on most regulatory issues, but without being part of the club.
🚨 PUBLISHED TODAY 🚨
👀 Take a look at the latest edition of UK in a Changing Europe's UK-EU regulatory divergence tracker by @jreland.bsky.social
🤓 It's the only report of its kind to outline exactly how UK and EU rules and regulations have diverged
🧵 Key findings
ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/uk-e...
👀 Take a look at the latest edition of UK in a Changing Europe's UK-EU regulatory divergence tracker by @jreland.bsky.social
🤓 It's the only report of its kind to outline exactly how UK and EU rules and regulations have diverged
🧵 Key findings
ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/uk-e...
UK-EU Divergence Tracker Q3 2025 - UK in a changing Europe
This is the fourteenth edition of the UK in a Changing Europe’s regulatory divergence tracker, outlining how UK and EU rules and regulations have diverged in the period July-October 2025.
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Our new divergence is tracker out: auditing the extent to which UK/EU rules and regs have aligned/diverged since June.
It highlights the increasingly awkward position which the UK occupies: of wanting to act like the EU on most regulatory issues, but without being part of the club.
It highlights the increasingly awkward position which the UK occupies: of wanting to act like the EU on most regulatory issues, but without being part of the club.
Reposted by Jake Benford
A few thoughts on the EU’s Defence Readiness 2030 Roadmap
The aim of the Roadmap is essentially trying to inject more resources and coherence into Europe’s defence ramp up
defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-i...
The aim of the Roadmap is essentially trying to inject more resources and coherence into Europe’s defence ramp up
defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-i...
Readiness Roadmap 2030
The Roadmap sets out clear objectives and milestones to achieve defence readiness by 2030, as outlined in the White Paper for European Defence.
defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu
October 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
A few thoughts on the EU’s Defence Readiness 2030 Roadmap
The aim of the Roadmap is essentially trying to inject more resources and coherence into Europe’s defence ramp up
defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-i...
The aim of the Roadmap is essentially trying to inject more resources and coherence into Europe’s defence ramp up
defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-i...
Reposted by Jake Benford
🔟 Finally there is a question of attention. The Roadmap is the latest of a long series of EU defence documents, which are quickly forgotten. The priority should be tangible progress on readiness
October 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
🔟 Finally there is a question of attention. The Roadmap is the latest of a long series of EU defence documents, which are quickly forgotten. The priority should be tangible progress on readiness
Reposted by Jake Benford
My new piece for @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social on EU-UK co-operation on China policy. Tl;dr: if you say a country is a systemic rival, or that competing with it may have huge consequences for your citizens, you need more serious policy responses than either the EU or UK have offered so far.
China’s rise, its support for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine & the unreliability of Trump’s US have sharpened the dilemmas in European policy towards China. 🇪🇺 🇨🇳 🇬🇧
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social policy brief by @cerianbond.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/EJXAsaz
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social policy brief by @cerianbond.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/EJXAsaz
October 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
My new piece for @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social on EU-UK co-operation on China policy. Tl;dr: if you say a country is a systemic rival, or that competing with it may have huge consequences for your citizens, you need more serious policy responses than either the EU or UK have offered so far.
Interesting contrast between the UK (read: the UK’s national security advisor’s) influence on today‘s Gaza breakthrough, compared to the EU’s traditionally unfortunate role in the region. At least in this take.
www.thetimes.com/article/f045...
www.thetimes.com/article/f045...
How important was the UK to the Gaza peace deal?
Sir Keir Starmer’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell was involved in talks that led to the Good Friday agreement, which bears similarities with Trump’s 20-point peace plan
www.thetimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Interesting contrast between the UK (read: the UK’s national security advisor’s) influence on today‘s Gaza breakthrough, compared to the EU’s traditionally unfortunate role in the region. At least in this take.
www.thetimes.com/article/f045...
www.thetimes.com/article/f045...
Reposted by Jake Benford
His Majesty King Charles III has announced that he will host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender for a State Visit from 3-5 December. It will be an incredible moment for 🇬🇧🇩🇪 relations and the first State Visit by a German President in 27 years.
October 13, 2025 at 8:58 AM
His Majesty King Charles III has announced that he will host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender for a State Visit from 3-5 December. It will be an incredible moment for 🇬🇧🇩🇪 relations and the first State Visit by a German President in 27 years.
Reposted by Jake Benford
Germany, the United Kingdom and France stand united - E3 leaders‘ statement 👇
October 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Germany, the United Kingdom and France stand united - E3 leaders‘ statement 👇
Reposted by Jake Benford
Heute, am 7. Oktober gedenken wir der Opfer des menschenverachtenden Terrorangriffs der Hamas in Israel vor zwei Jahren.
Nichts und niemand kann diese monströsen Gewalttaten gegen Zivilisten rechtfertigen. Die israelischen Geiseln müssen umgehend freigelassen werden.
Nichts und niemand kann diese monströsen Gewalttaten gegen Zivilisten rechtfertigen. Die israelischen Geiseln müssen umgehend freigelassen werden.
October 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Heute, am 7. Oktober gedenken wir der Opfer des menschenverachtenden Terrorangriffs der Hamas in Israel vor zwei Jahren.
Nichts und niemand kann diese monströsen Gewalttaten gegen Zivilisten rechtfertigen. Die israelischen Geiseln müssen umgehend freigelassen werden.
Nichts und niemand kann diese monströsen Gewalttaten gegen Zivilisten rechtfertigen. Die israelischen Geiseln müssen umgehend freigelassen werden.
Reposted by Jake Benford
Amazing to celebrate the landmark 35th anniversary of German Unity with so many British friends tonight.
Today, Germany and the UK work together to secure a lasting peace in Europe – a Europe that is united, free, and democratic.
Today, Germany and the UK work together to secure a lasting peace in Europe – a Europe that is united, free, and democratic.
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Amazing to celebrate the landmark 35th anniversary of German Unity with so many British friends tonight.
Today, Germany and the UK work together to secure a lasting peace in Europe – a Europe that is united, free, and democratic.
Today, Germany and the UK work together to secure a lasting peace in Europe – a Europe that is united, free, and democratic.
Reposted by Jake Benford
Almost done. Our Fall 2025 issue “Defending Europe‘s Economic Security“ will be out on Tuesday, marking IPQ‘s fifth anniversary — w/ Luuk van Middelaar, Hans Kribbe @jbenford-berlin.bsky.social @lucyaash.bsky.social @helenalegarda.bsky.social @rebeccawire.bsky.social @anandmenon.bsky.social et al.
September 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Almost done. Our Fall 2025 issue “Defending Europe‘s Economic Security“ will be out on Tuesday, marking IPQ‘s fifth anniversary — w/ Luuk van Middelaar, Hans Kribbe @jbenford-berlin.bsky.social @lucyaash.bsky.social @helenalegarda.bsky.social @rebeccawire.bsky.social @anandmenon.bsky.social et al.
Economic Security is central to the EU’s external strategy - see SOTEU today - but cooperation with the UK remains nascent. Political and structural reasons are behind this but @antonspisak.bsky.social and I think there are grounds for deeper cooperation: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/our-proje...
A Missing Pillar: Economic Security in the EU-UK Partnership
Economic security has risen to the top of Europe’s strategic agenda, and the EU has intensified collaboration with key allies. While structural and political factors have so far prevented deeper engag...
www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de
September 10, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Economic Security is central to the EU’s external strategy - see SOTEU today - but cooperation with the UK remains nascent. Political and structural reasons are behind this but @antonspisak.bsky.social and I think there are grounds for deeper cooperation: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/our-proje...
"German sentiment sits with the UK, but the strategy always stays with the EU”. My thoughts in @economist.com on the - otherwise highly welcome and well-crafted - Anglo-German Friendship Treaty announced today. Thanks to @sambeal.bsky.social www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Britain and Germany sign a historic treaty
The two countries hope it will alleviate a set of mutual ailments
www.economist.com
July 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM
"German sentiment sits with the UK, but the strategy always stays with the EU”. My thoughts in @economist.com on the - otherwise highly welcome and well-crafted - Anglo-German Friendship Treaty announced today. Thanks to @sambeal.bsky.social www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Reposted by Jake Benford
Germany and #UK sign the UK-German #FriendshipTreaty today. @aussenminister.diplo.de is traveling to London with Chancellor Merz and will also hold talks with Foreign Secretary David Lammy. 🇩🇪🤝🇬🇧 #StayTuned
July 17, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Germany and #UK sign the UK-German #FriendshipTreaty today. @aussenminister.diplo.de is traveling to London with Chancellor Merz and will also hold talks with Foreign Secretary David Lammy. 🇩🇪🤝🇬🇧 #StayTuned
Reposted by Jake Benford
🇬🇧🇩🇪 A new UK–Germany friendship treaty is on the way – but what will make it last?
In @politicshome.bsky.social, @nvondarza.bsky.social and Ed Turner argue: real depth requires more than ministerial fora – it needs direct links between parliamentarians.
🔗 buff.ly/D6XqLvw
In @politicshome.bsky.social, @nvondarza.bsky.social and Ed Turner argue: real depth requires more than ministerial fora – it needs direct links between parliamentarians.
🔗 buff.ly/D6XqLvw
July 10, 2025 at 7:01 AM
🇬🇧🇩🇪 A new UK–Germany friendship treaty is on the way – but what will make it last?
In @politicshome.bsky.social, @nvondarza.bsky.social and Ed Turner argue: real depth requires more than ministerial fora – it needs direct links between parliamentarians.
🔗 buff.ly/D6XqLvw
In @politicshome.bsky.social, @nvondarza.bsky.social and Ed Turner argue: real depth requires more than ministerial fora – it needs direct links between parliamentarians.
🔗 buff.ly/D6XqLvw
A real pleasure to welcome the UK Minister for EU Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, to a roundtable with stakeholders in Berlin last week. A detailed and forward-looking discussion of the new Strategic Partnership. More can be done but this is a rare positive development in a gloomy int'l environment
June 24, 2025 at 1:17 PM
A real pleasure to welcome the UK Minister for EU Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, to a roundtable with stakeholders in Berlin last week. A detailed and forward-looking discussion of the new Strategic Partnership. More can be done but this is a rare positive development in a gloomy int'l environment