Jeremy Cliffe

"Europeans, let's wake up!" — Defend Democracy “We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

Macron: "We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks that are controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies"

defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

An imperfect promise: Where Trump’s peace plan for Gaza falls short Trump’s peace plan could finally bring an end to Israel’s destruction of Gaza. But gaps in timing, guarantees, and last-minute Israeli amendments risk failure unless European and Arab states intervene...

NEW piece unpacking the security & governance dimensions of Trump's Gaza plan - and outlining necessary benchmarks & guarantees, especially on an Israeli withdrawal, for any hope of success - new by @hlovatt.bsky.social & @muhammadshehada.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/an-i...

(PDF) How Czech Democracy Defies the Illiberal Trend PDF | Democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland has raised questions as to whether Czech politics would follow a similar path. Focusing on... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Rese...

On 1/ this 2023 paper is interesting on why "Czech democratic resilience stands out in Central Europe" (though authors don't rule out "greater polarisation" in the event of Babis returning to power, as it now appears he will). ⬇️

www.researchgate.net/publication/...

Worth nuancing (valid) worries about Babis-led Czechia joining Hungary & Slovakia in trio of EU spoiler states + democratic backsliders.

1/ Czech institutions strong
2/ Babis's ANO has backed off some prior pro-🇷🇺🇨🇳 positions
3/ ANO not all-mighty; will form minority govt or lead fractious coalition

The area of Manchester where the horrific antisemitic attack took place is one of the few in the UK where Jewish & Muslim ppl both live in large numbers. We must learn from & follow how these communities support each other, as we condemn the attack & send love & solidarity to Jews across the UK

Tim Berners-Lee Invented the World Wide Web. Now He Wants to Save It In 1989, Sir Tim revolutionized the online world. Today, in the era of misinformation, addictive algorithms, and extractive monopolies, he thinks he can do it again.

While others wrung riches from the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee assumed the mantle of moral authority, fighting to safeguard the web’s openness and promote equitable access. Can he do it again?

It’s the Internet, Stupid What caused the global populist wave? Blame the screens.

I disagree with parts of this (Fukuyama hugely underplays "cause #1") but agree best explanation for populism's 2010s-20s surge is social media.

There's an optimism for Europe in his thesis: we're the continent that sets democratic limits on digital giants.

www.persuasion.community/p/its-the-in...

One reflection talking to other Jews today is how unshocking this is.

Numbing, upsetting, scary but not shocking. We all knew it was coming. Given the enormous rise in antisemitic incidents in recent years, it's a surprise it hasn't happened more often.

So much of the coverage of the EU is hyper-micro. It's all about the sausage making. So story out of Copenhagen European Council is "dithering," "all talk, no action," nothing fully agreed, etc. It's an effing meeting! Take a step back... they are moving on Eurobonds/frozen Russian assets. 1/

The risks of the draw: Europe’s post-snapback move on Iran European leaders have reimposed UN sanctions on Iran. Now they must steer clear of America’s maximum pressure campaign and instead keep the diplomatic door open…

✍️ Now that European leaders have reimposed UN sanctions on Iran, they must steer clear of America’s maximum pressure campaign and instead keep the diplomatic door open. Read Ellie Geranmayeh's piece for @ecfr.eu here 👇 buff.ly/w6z0osT

Europe’s political class can’t stop reading Giuliano da Empoli An Italian-Swiss writer specializing in top-level power games and autocrats is now essential reading for Europe’s political elite, particularly Emmanuel Macron.

Europe’s political class can’t stop reading Giuliano da Empoli (and rightly so) www.politico.eu/article/giul...

✨ #EUinfluencer 2025 showed Brussels’ digital shift

specialists > generalists
multi-channel > single
connecting > broadcasting.

🎥 Highlights: znconsulting.com/articles/thr...

However chaotic Romanian politics can be it is still worth noting how Romania's economic miracle since 2000 has not just drawn Moldova deep into the EU system but might also exert a growing effect on Hungarian politics as well

Merz & Sánchez vs Trump: sustaining the Atlantic alliance without acting like idiots This week, Spain will be an epicenter in the ongoing debate around U.S.–European relations. Marc López Plana, editor and director of 'Agenda Pública', remarks on the hypothesis he plans to advance whe...

"Trumpism has forced the EU to stop reacting and start anticipating"

<< interesting @mlopezplana.bsky.social column on the potential of the Spanish-German partnership in Trump 2 era, citing @ecfr.eu's recent report on European sentiment (ecfr.eu/publication/...)

agendapublica.es/noticia/2021...

Timely read also after pro-European PAS victory in Moldova's election ⬇️

Costa seeks to bypass Orbán’s veto on Ukraine’s EU membership bid Brussels’ rules requiring all 27 member countries to agree on new entrants will face scrutiny at a summit this week in Copenhagen.

Welcome initiative from Costa to break accession talks stalemate: opening individual negotiating "clusters" with Ukraine and Moldova under QMV to bypass Hungarian veto. (Closing clusters still requires unanimity, but this way at least momentum can be sustained.)

www.politico.eu/article/anto...

Love thy neighbour: Moldova’s election is a stress test for European resilience Moldova’s parliamentary election will steer the country towards either the EU or Russia. Whatever the outcome, it is a chance for Europeans to understand Putin’s disinformation playbook and protect…

Moldova’s parliamentary election will steer the country towards either the EU or Russia. Whatever the outcome, it is a chance for Europeans to understand Putin’s disinformation playbook, write Leo Litra and @gvalodskaite.bsky.social @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4mxkXQ3

How Russia is Helping China Prepare to Seize Taiwan Russia has agreed to equip and train the PLA to air-drop armoured vehicles and special reconnaissance capabilities.

Based on leaked documents, Russia has agreed to equip and train the PLA to air-drop armoured vehicles and special reconnaissance capabilities, write Oleksandr V Danylyuk and Dr Jack Watling in the latest RUSI Commentary.

Flaunting mischief: Three aims of Russia’s airspace incursions Russia’s recent incursions into NATO airspace are the biggest escalation with the alliance since the cold war. With it, Putin likely hopes to achieve three main goals…

With less (or no) American capability and capacity, the costs and trade-offs Europeans face are exacerbated, writes @rafaelloss.bsky.social @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4nl9m7P

China's new climate target is inadequate. But as the EU mulls over their own climate goals, it'd be a mistake to view China’s low target as a sign Beijing is de-prioritising climate and clean tech.

As advocated by @hugodixon.bsky.social, @nathalieloiseau.bsky.social and Lee Buchheit for @ecfr.eu back in July!

ecfr.eu/article/ukra...

A new report from the European Council on Foreign Relations explains why there is such cognitive dissonance in the European brain right now as they are attacked by America, a country which owns their cultural sphere.

My take: open.substack.com/pub/davekeat...

Now out in @cpsjournal.bsky.social. In our new article, @denis-cohen.bsky.social @thmskrr.bsky.social and I show that where local rent prices increase more, residents with lower incomes become more likely to support the radical right AfD.

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Reality show: Why Europe must not cave in Trump’s culture war In today’s transatlantic relationship, Europe’s every concession on policy plays into Trump’s culture war—feeding an image of European weakness…

What’s Europe’s public sentiment? Here’s ⁦‪ECFR data confirming what we’ve been perceiving since early 2025:

an unprecedented support for EU action, criticism for its inaction, against the backdrop of a cultural war brought by the US ecfr.eu/publication/...

Von der Leyen softens tone as EU seeks China’s help on Ukraine war, climate European leader urges Beijing to help ‘stop the killing’ in Ukraine, but pledges support on climate.

Story: Von der Leyen softens tone as EU seeks China’s help on Ukraine war and climate.

VDL leader urges Beijing to help ‘stop the killing’ in Ukraine, but pledges support on climate

www.scmp.com/news/china/d...

European officials fear Trump is preparing to blame them for Ukraine failure US president sets bloc ‘impossible’ condition to secure more Washington support for Kyiv

European officials fear Trump is preparing to blame them for Ukraine failure on.ft.com/4o8McBZ

Yes, but we ain’t lifting a finger. Last line… “Good luck to all” is the tell, as well as Trump highlighting EU support

Claudia Cardinale, glamorous star of The Leopard and Once Upon a Time in the West, dies aged 87 The husky-voiced, chain-smoking actor had a reputation as a fiercely independent, free-spirited woman

everyone should take three hours out of their day and watch THE LEOPARD, a total masterpiece of a film. www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

Reality show: Why Europe must not cave in Trump’s culture war In today’s transatlantic relationship, Europe’s every concession on policy plays into Trump’s culture war—feeding an image of European weakness…

“Europe is stuck in a Truman Show, and Trump’s America is in the director’s chair.”

Check out the brilliant fourth edition of @pawelzerka.bsky.social’s annual European Sentiment Compass for @ecfr.eu:

ecfr.eu/publication/...

Reality show: Why Europe must not cave in Trump’s culture war In today’s transatlantic relationship, Europe’s every concession on policy plays into Trump’s culture war—feeding an image of European weakness…

Europe is in a culture war with Trump’s America. It doesn’t have to be this way. A decade of crises has strengthened European sentiment among the public, writes @pawelzerka.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social @euroculture.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/3VxF9X7