Our Publications

BRICS

From BRICS to BRICS+: India, the EU and Shifting Global Power Dynamics

From 22 to 24 October 2024, the sixteenth BRICS summit was held in Kazan, Russia. During this event, the initial members of the organisation (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) were joined by Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the launch of BRICS+. Just a few weeks later, Indonesia, the most populated country in Southeast Asia, also joined the expanding group.

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energy

EU-India Relations: Progress and Pitfalls

In May 2024, Narendra Modi was re-elected Indian Prime Minister (PM), winning a third term. In doing so, Modi ensured the continuity of his political programme, including a commitment to forge a closer relationship with the European Union (EU). The combination of India’s General Election result with the June 2024 European election has created a momentum for the two partners to reassess their bilateral relations. Weighing in on this dynamic, the EU and its Member States have been encouraging India’s engagement to push the development of its infrastructure network and to address social and human rights concerns.

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Central asia

Strengthening Ties, Facing New Realities: Is the EU-Kazakhstan Partnership Ready for a New Chapter?

The 21st EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Council meeting held on 14 October 2024 in Luxembourg highlighted the rapidly accelerating cooperation between the European Union and Kazakhstan. As both sides are facing the challenges of navigating global trade, security and governance shifts, their cooperation has rapidly expanded across a range of strategic areas in recent years. As a result, the meeting in Luxembourg addressed key topics such as economic cooperation and the rule of law, while also highlighting their mutual interest in developing sustainable infrastructure through initiatives like the Global Gateway.

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Defence Industry

South Korea as the New International Defence Industrial Powerhouse: Implications For Europe

The Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea), a technologically advanced nation, is internationally famous for its export of semiconductors, cars and pop culture. In the past few years, South Korea has also successfully grown its defence industry, securing major deals abroad. Emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing defence exporters, South Korea ascended from the 31st position in 2000 to a top ten ranking between 2019 and 2023 in the global arms trade, taking many by surprise, especially in Europe.

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Asia

The Middle Corridor Initiative – Where Europe and Asia Meet

Over the past two years, geopolitical shifts in Eurasia have significantly impacted global supply chains, alongside various political and economic dynamics. The repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Houthi attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea have led to serious discussions on the liability of different transport routes. There has been a visible redirection of cargo flow from northern to southern routes in the East-West direction, rendering traditional transport paths less relevant and sought for. Amidst the diminishing significance of the New Eurasian Land Bridge (NELB) or ‘Northern Corridor,’ a demand for alternative transport routes has emerged, with particular attention drawn to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also called the ‘Middle Corridor.’

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bri

Building Bridges: Post-Pandemic Opportunities for Cooperating on Sino-EU Infrastructure Initiatives

As the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic and the global order is shifting, new opportunities are arising for cooperation and enhanced coordination on international infrastructure development. This EIAS Briefing Paper examines the potential and risks for collaboration between China and Europe on their respective connectivity initiatives, and assesses potential challenges, pitfalls, as well as pathways to accomplish this. This is done by (1) illustrating the potential and risks of China’s Belt and Road Initiative; (2) explaining the impacts and changes that have emerged since the pandemic; (3) examining the other actors’ connectivity and infrastructure initiatives, including the EU’s Global Gateway; (4) listing the modes for cooperation; and (5) recommending channels through which to overcome challenges associated with coordination on infrastructure initiatives.

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azerbaijan

The Middle Corridor’s Reality Check: Advancements and Challenges in Rail Infrastructure

The development of railway infrastructure in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan is crucial for maximising the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Trade Route (TITR) or Middle Corridor, a vital link connecting Europe and Asia. The Caspian Sea ports, which serve as critical transit hubs, rely heavily on the efficiency and modernisation of rail networks in these countries to enable a smoother and more efficient transit of goods across the region and beyond. Railways offer the most effective means of linking these landlocked nations to ports and markets beyond their borders. However, the conditions of their railroad networks highlight significant development disparities.

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Impeachment

President Yoon’s Short-lived Martial Law Declaration and Its Fallout

President Yoon Suk-Yeol sent the Republic of Korea into political turmoil in early December 2024 by declaring martial law, citing the need to “wipe out anti-state forces,” only to withdraw it again several hours later. Since then, the country has been sent into uncertainty. While impeachment proceedings have been set in motion, these recent developments have severely impacted the country’s domestic governance, as well as its ability to participate in global politics. What are likely avenues for South Korea to overcome this political unrest and what does it mean for EU-South Korea relations?

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azerbaijan

Energy Opportunities in the Greater Caspian Region: Unlocking Strategic Gains for Europe

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and the urgent need to reduce dependency on the Russian energy sector, the EU has intensified the diversification of its fossil fuel imports and expanded renewable energy sources in line with the REPowerEU plan to enhance overall energy security. A key aspect of this strategy has been increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from the United States, Norway, and North Africa. However, the need for diversified energy sources persists. The Greater Caspian Region, in particular, offers substantial potential for rapidly boosting exports within a short timeframe. To fully capitalise on the opportunities in the Greater Caspian Region, European companies and governments should navigate a complex landscape of geopolitical dynamics and infrastructural commitments. Balancing the urgent need for energy security with the long-term goals of sustainable development will be crucial for the success of these endeavours.

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