Western Europe

Partial Eurobond not the answer to Europe’s coronavirus economic downturn

By Bart Oosterveld

Some have argued that a partial Eurobond instrument, backed for example by France, Italy, and Spain, could be set up as a risk sharing and/or solidarity tool to partially finance the recovery out of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. This is a truly awful idea as such an instrument would deliver none of the potential benefits of a Eurobond, while simultaneously creating asymmetric risks on capital markets.

Cyber crises need strong collaboration: Reflections from Cyber 9/12

By Alexis Montouris Ciambotti, Manuel Hepfer, Matthew Rogers, and Yashovardhan Sharma.

Cyber 9/12 sharpened our ability to analyze an evolving situation and identify its key issues, adapt to unexpected changes, and recommend effective responses to manage the crisis.

Building Virtual Communities: The Power of Technology to Connect People

Today’s technology has become the connective tissue of our physically distant lives and positioned us to quickly learn about and respond to COVID-19.

Why the Netherlands opposed unconditional European coronavirus aid

By Elmar Hellendoorn

Southern European calls for northern solidarity should be backed up with a quest for greater empathy in countries like the Netherlands. As long as the Dutch public remain largely unaware of the plight of southern Europe—as well as ignorant of the geopolitical consequences of too much fiscal rigidity—the current clash may only be a prelude to a much larger battle.

Should the European Left take on the populists at their own game?

By Atlantic Council

For Medium World, Alistair Somerville and Atlantic Council Resident Fellow Julian Mueller-Kaler go head to head on whether European center-left and left wing parties should take on the right wing populists at their own game.

New British carriers can transform Europe’s NATO naval capabilities

By Michael John Williams

In the wake of economic calamity, now is the perfect time for European militaries to work together to maximize their resources and military readiness. No better opportunity exists than to use HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales as hubs for a European carrier strike group.

New British budget takes coronavirus head-on

By John M. Roberts

Britain’s finance minister, Rishi Sunak, has just delivered a master class in how a government should tackle both the health and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.