24/ As the US-Iran ceasefire inches towards expiry, Ellie Geranmayeh considers what it will take for Tehran to show up in Pakistan talks and make diplomatic headway @aljazeera.com mediaview.aljazeera.com/video/rc5Wo3...

Macron and Starmer welcome Hormuz reopening and push for permanent navigation security France and the U.K. have welcomed the announcement by Iran and the U.S. that the Strait of Hormuz is open.

23/ Ellie Geranmayeh for @apnews.com: Europe should take a lead on mine-clearing in the Strait, to avoid the US military lingering on Iranian shores and risking further tension between the US and Iran buff.ly/KeRge55

The full monty: Why the Mediterranean pact needs to offer the works – European Council on Foreign Relations Europe’s energy, industrial and migration interests all converge in its southern neighbourhood, where rivals are eroding its influence. The new Pact for the Med

📖 The EU's Pact for the Mediterranean is timely but risks defaulting to short-term deals rather than delivering meaningful regional integration. Its "menu" approach will be more effective if the EU bundles initiatives into comprehensive packages @Tmegrisi.bsky.social 👇️ ecfr.eu/publication/...

Why has Italy’s Giorgia Meloni suspended a defence pact with Israel? Italy’s decision has little immediate impact, but marks an unprecedented U-turn by one of Israel's staunchest allies.

📰 “There is a general discontent over the war in Iran and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz – a crisis that’s impacting Italian growth and, if it continues, could have a significant impact on citizens” @arturovarvelli.bsky.social for @aljazeera.com www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/...

The full monty: Why the Mediterranean pact needs to offer the works – European Council on Foreign Relations Europe’s energy, industrial and migration interests all converge in its southern neighbourhood, where rivals are eroding its influence. The new Pact for the Med

5/ Read more in @ecfr.eu's new policy brief here 👇️ ecfr.eu/publication/...

4/ Delivering this requires EU states to pool authority and resources, shifting from fragmented bilateral deals to a coordinated response through Brussels. Only then can Europe convert dispersed efforts into real strategic leverage.

3/ These packages would be too substantial to refuse or use against European countries, ending the cycle of European states being played off against each other by the very neighbours they are trying to bring closer.

2/ The Pact's "menu" approach will be far more effective if the EU bundles its initiatives to offer comprehensive packages e.g. a coherent and strategic European approach to energy, linking renewables and Mediterranean gas, to turn shared risk into mutual stability.

The full monty: Why the Mediterranean pact needs to offer the works – European Council on Foreign Relations Europe’s energy, industrial and migration interests all converge in its southern neighbourhood, where rivals are eroding its influence. The new Pact for the Med

📖 NEW @ecfr.eu policy brief by @tmegrisi.bsky.social: The EU's Pact for the Mediterranean is timely but risks defaulting to short-term, piecemeal deals rather than delivering meaningful regional integration. 🧵 buff.ly/NJqpdwI

3/ These packages would be too substantial to refuse or use against European countries, ending the cycle of European states being played off against each other by the very neighbours they are trying to bring closer.

2/ The Pact "menu" approach will be far more effective if the EU bundles its initiatives to offer comprehensive packages e.g. a coherent and strategic European approach to energy, linking renewables and Mediterranean gas, to turn shared risk into mutual stability.

Making peace last: Steps for Europeans to support the Iran-US ceasefire – European Council on Foreign Relations After threatening catastrophic escalation, Trump has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Iran. Europeans need to use this moment to urgently push for a more la

"Prospects for a ceasefire in Lebanon could be further bolstered by greater European support to the Lebanese government and armed forces and a European willingness to maintain a security role in the south of the country." @jbdacey.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/maki...

Ceasefire in Iran – European Council on Foreign Relations Mark Leonard is joined by Aslı Aydıntaşbaş to explore the recent Iran-US ceasefire, regional conflicts, and implications for Europe and global security

In this week's @ecfr.eu podcast, Mark Leonard is joined by @asliaydintasbas.bsky.social to discuss the Iran-US ceasefire and what it means for the future of the Middle East and for American foreign policy? ecfr.eu/podcasts/epi...

Making peace last: Steps for Europeans to support the Iran-US ceasefire – European Council on Foreign Relations After threatening catastrophic escalation, Trump has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Iran. Europeans need to use this moment to urgently push for a more la

The US-Iranian ceasefire deal fails to address core drivers of the conflict—US opposition to Iran’s nuclear programme and Tehran’s demands for economic and security guarantees—and maximalist positions risk a rapid collapse in negotiations, writes @jbdacey.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/maki...

Making peace last: Steps for Europeans to support the Iran-US ceasefire – European Council on Foreign Relations After threatening catastrophic escalation, Trump has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Iran. Europeans need to use this moment to urgently push for a more la

🔴 NEW policy alert by @jbdacey.bsky.social: After threatening catastrophic escalation, Trump has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Iran. European governments must now focus on sustaining it and backing Pakistani-led efforts toward a broader, lasting peace 👇️ ecfr.eu/article/maki...

The art of the off-ramp: How Europe can pressure Trump to end the war in Iran – European Council on Foreign Relations As Trump digs his heels into a war with Iran, he faces a growing list of domestic pressures. Europeans can press on these points to push Washington towards a ce

New commentary by @jyshapiro.bsky.social on how Europeans can pressure Washington towards a ceasefire in Iran

Europeans should understand which pressures matter most to Trump. Gasoline prices come first, general inflation next. Read the commentary: bit.ly/41pp1dj

🎧 This week @markhleonard.bsky.social is joined by @szymonkardas.bsky.social to discuss how the war in Iran is affecting energy prices and supplies in Europe.

Listen to the new podcast episode: https://bit.ly/3PDIeVZ

EV endgame: Stalling China’s export surge in Europe’s southern neighbourhood – European Council on Foreign Relations Chinese electric vehicle brands are adapting to Western trade barriers by increasing their presence in the Middle East and North Africa. Europe’s response must

In order to balance between prioritising industrial competition with China in the MENA region and supporting the region’s economic development and green transitions, Europeans should work with Middle Eastern & North African partners. 👇 buff.ly/k9ghqmL

EV endgame: Stalling China’s export surge in Europe’s southern neighbourhood – European Council on Foreign Relations Chinese electric vehicle brands are adapting to Western trade barriers by increasing their presence in the Middle East and North Africa. Europe’s response must

📖 Chinese EV brands are adapting to Western trade barriers by increasing their presence in the MENA, challenging Europe's interests in the global EV competition and deepening China's influence in the region. @camillelons.bsky.social @byfordt.bsky.social @jonathanfulton.bsky.social buff.ly/BUMR8Eh

A year after Assad: The search for Syria’s future – European Council on Foreign Relations Syrians are rebuilding their country from the ruins of dictatorship, but progress could stall without a clear vision for the future

As Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visits Berlin & London this week, Europe should focus on engaging the transitional government and wider population to support an inclusive political & economic vision rooted in Syria’s institutions. @jbdacey.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/a-ye...

The Gulf on the front line: The end of strategic hedging and new space for Europeans – European Council on Foreign Relations The war on Iran marks a turning point in the security calculus of the Gulf monarchies. Strategic hedging has failed—and Europeans could become just the reliable

✍️ The war on Iran is a Zeitenwende moment for Gulf states, shifting their security calculus and geopolitical positioning. This opens up space for partnerships with Europe to stabilise this region of great importance for the global economy. @cinziabianco.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/the-...

Can America and Iran Reach a Cease-Fire? Both sides want to dictate the terms—but neither truly can.

With the clock ticking on US-Iran talks, both sides want to dictate terms but neither truly can & must abandon maximalist demands. Ellie Geranmayeh in @foreignaffairs.com unpacks conditions & terms needed for lasting ceasefire before dangerous new phase emerges www.foreignaffairs.com/can-america-...

Can America and Iran Reach a Cease-Fire? Both sides want to dictate the terms—but neither truly can.

As the war with Iran rages on and gets more costly by the day, rumblings about a potential cease-fire have emerged from Washington. Ellie Geranmayeh states that The White House is making a mistake by tying cease-fire negotiations to a grand bargain.

https://fam.ag/4rZFSht

Lebanon on the brink: Europe must act now if it wants to prevent a refugee wave – European Council on Foreign Relations With over a thousand dead and a million displaced, Lebanon is edging towards state collapse. Europe must go beyond humanitarian aid and throw its full weight be

With over a thousand dead and a million displaced, Lebanon is edging towards state collapse. Europe must go beyond humanitarian aid and throw its full weight behind France’s diplomatic push, writes Kelly Petillo.

https://bit.ly/3Pi7nW5

The Gulf on the front line: The end of strategic hedging and new space for Europeans – European Council on Foreign Relations The war on Iran marks a turning point in the security calculus of the Gulf monarchies. Strategic hedging has failed—and Europeans could become just the reliable

The war on Iran marks a turning point in the security calculus of the Gulf monarchies. Strategic hedging has failed—and Europeans could become just the reliable partners the monarchies need, writes Cinzia Bianco.

https://bit.ly/4uROVnp

The Gulf on the front line: The end of strategic hedging and new space for Europeans – European Council on Foreign Relations The war on Iran marks a turning point in the security calculus of the Gulf monarchies. Strategic hedging has failed—and Europeans could become just the reliable

Europeans must help steer the region away from the vortex of violence that sucks in the legitimate security concerns of the Gulf countries, and could trap them and their neighbours in a state of perpetual tensions and instability, writes @cinziabianco.bsky.social

EV endgame: Stalling China’s export surge in Europe’s southern neighbourhood – European Council on Foreign Relations Chinese electric vehicle brands are adapting to Western trade barriers by increasing their presence in the Middle East and North Africa. Europe’s response must

9/ Read more in @ecfr.eu 's new policy brief here 👇️ buff.ly/desxCDF

8/ Finally, Europeans should face up to the competition. They must not shy away from engaging with partners in the Middle East & North Africa on the broader challenge China poses today to global trade.

7/ Second, Europeans need to open new lanes by ensuring countries in the MENA region become part of the solution to Europe’s EV dilemmas. They should negotiate Clean Trade & Investment Partnerships and use its financing tools & technical assistance.

6/ First, the EU needs to address potential regulatory loopholes in its de-risking strategy towards China’s EVs and reform its trade-defence instrument.