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June 25, 2025

☢️ Poland's push for NATO nuclear sharing is response to Russian aggression

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Poland is making an unprecedented push to join NATO’s nuclear sharing programme. Monika Sus argues that, as Poland’s threat perception rises, its defence strategy evolves and NATO’s deterrence posture shifts, the debate over nuclear deterrence is gaining momentum
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June 24, 2025

Recognising war: Gaza’s occupation and the Israel-Iran conflict

From Atatürk’s homeland — where 'peace at home, peace in the world' still resonates — Süleyman Güngör argues that Gaza is Palestinian land. The violence there, and between Israel and Iran, we must recognise as war under international law — and urgently bring it to an end
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June 24, 2025

Trump’s attack on Iran and the logic of America First

Does military intervention against Iran contradict Trump’s America First ideology? Ruairidh Brown argues it, in fact, is a textbook case of Trump’s Machiavellian philosophy
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June 23, 2025

🧭 How the European Parliament can shape enlargement 

Often dismissed as a procedural bystander in EU enlargement, the European Parliament holds underused tools to shape outcomes — from budgetary leverage to informal diplomacy. Lien Jansen argues that the European Parliament can act strategically — if internal cohesion and inter-institutional cooperation align. Its latent power matters more than ever in today’s geopolitical climate
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June 20, 2025

The EU-UK fisheries deal: still plenty of fish?

The new EU-UK fisheries agreement has attracted criticism for granting EU trawlers 12 more years' access to UK waters. Morgiane Noel argues we should view the deal in the broader context of EU-UK carbon markets, and the green transition
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June 19, 2025

Joint Ukraine-EU defence is a strategic win for both

Maksym Beznosiuk argues that Ukraine’s defence production has grown, yet remains underutilised. With EU support, joint projects could sustain Ukraine’s war effort and advance the EU’s strategic autonomy. Closer cooperation, legal alignment, and targeted investment can strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities and contribute to the EU's defence readiness
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June 18, 2025

Is democracy being eroded from within?

Declining public trust in political institutions raises concerns that citizens may turn away from democratic forms of decision-making. Recent cases of democratic backsliding seem to confirm this fear. Yet, as Ben Seyd argues, there is little evidence that declining trust impels citizens to embrace autocratic forms of decision-making
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June 17, 2025

☢️ How can we protect nuclear facilities?

Ludovica Castelli explores the longstanding problem of how to protect nuclear facilities against attack — particularly in light of the war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East. Until we establish a comprehensive, and enforceable legal framework, nuclear facilities will remain vulnerable to attack, perpetuating the risks to international security and humanitarian safety
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June 16, 2025

🧭 Why the EU must act before public support for enlargement fades

Russian aggression in Ukraine triggered a surge in support for EU enlargement — but public goodwill is beginning to fade. Dmytro Panchuk argues that this moment of elite-public alignment is rare and fragile. To seize it, EU leaders must act decisively before war fatigue and populist rhetoric erode the case for widening
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June 13, 2025

2024 Best Blog winner — revealed

In 2022, The Loop inaugurated a Best Blog prize to reward a contribution of exceptional value. We have now conferred our third £500 prize on the author of a piece judged by our independent jury to be the best in that calendar year. Managing Editor Kate Hawkins presents the longlisted articles — and the jury reveals what gave our 2024 winner the edge
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THE EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL RESEARCH
Advancing Political Science
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