EPIS Thinktank

Category: International Relations & Diplomacy

  • Canada and the EU After the EPC Summit

    Canada and the EU After the EPC Summit

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    Karolina Osica
    in

    How does Canada’s participation in the 2026 EPC summit reflect the evolving Canada-EU relationship? Driven by U.S. unpredictability under Trump, Canada is strategically pivoting toward the EU through deepening political, economic, energy, and security partnerships. This realignment benefits both sides: offering Canada market access and stability, and giving the EU a reliable partner for critical…

  • South Africa – Xenophobia or Inequality?

    South Africa – Xenophobia or Inequality?

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    Mark Faleye
    in

    The main question is, what is the nature of the recurring anti-immigration violence in post-apartheid South Africa, and what are its systemic causes and consequences? The violence is driven not only by structural inequality and political scapegoating, but also by the resulting microeconomic instability that deters foreign capital and deepens severe diplomatic fractures, ultimately compromising…

  • Public Alignment & Closed-Door Diplomacy:

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    Brian Kastelijn
    in

    Main question: How does China balance its relations with Russia and the US amid rising global tensions in spring 2026? Argument: Beijing applies a dual-track strategy by publicly aligning with Russia while maintaining pragmatic and closed-door diplomacy with the US. Conclusion: This strategy gives China strategic flexibility and geopolitical advantages, but growing US-China rivalry may…

  • Canada’s Strategic Foresight for 2025–2035

    Canada’s Strategic Foresight for 2025–2035

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    Sevastiana Roumelioti
    in

    Main question: How can Canada ensure economic survival and sovereignty while caught between an unpredictable, transactional U.S. and a coercive China Argument: Canada must adopt a pragmatic, interest-led approach by integrating defense with the U.S. while hedging risks through strategic Indo-Pacific partnerships Conclusion: Geopolitical success relies on leveraging critical minerals and sharing the costs of…

  • Bridging the Gap

    Bridging the Gap

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    Joshua Burgin
    in

    1. The interview explores why transatlantic security often overlooks local and state leaders. 2. Joshua Burgin argues that strong personal networks between local leaders are essential for effective security cooperation. 3. The article concludes that stronger local-level transatlantic ties improve democratic resilience and future cooperation.

  • EU Enlargement Revisited

    EU Enlargement Revisited

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    Marco Tauro
    in

    Main question: How can the EU balance strategic geopolitical expansion with strict merit-based compliance to ensure sustainable integration? Argument: The EU should adopt a phased integration model and depoliticise accession criteria to prevent external delays. Conclusion: Despite short-term economic and democratic friction, structured enlargement remains the best way to safeguard the Union.

  • Key Findings on Ukraine: Key Reform Roadmap

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    Vladyslav Melnychenko
    in

    Main question: How can Ukraine sustain its EU accession momentum and provisionally close its negotiations by the end of 2028 despite ongoing conflict? Argument: Ukraine must accelerate its reform pace in fundamental principles, specifically the rule of law, while utilizing interim EU integration initiatives. Conclusion: Continued domestic transformation and rigorous cluster fulfillment will allow the…

  • EU Enlargement and EP Seat Allocation Reform

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    Anna Yemchuk
    in

    Main question: How can the EU reform seat allocation in the European Parliament to integrate new candidate states without breaking the 750-mandate cap or causing political imbalance? Argument: The EU should implement a transparent formula combining a base quota, demographic sizing, and GDP per capita to align economic weight with political influence. Conclusion: This balanced…

  • THE EUROPEAN DIRECTORATE

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    EPIS Think Tank
    in

    Main question: How can the EU reform its decision-making structures to allow rapid expansion without causing governance paralysis? Argument: The EU must formalize a “Directorate” framework establishing strategic decision authority based on objective capacity criteria. Conclusion: Replacing unanimous vetoes with a structured, rotating fifteen-member Council enables a bigger and more effective Union.

  • Policy Proposal: Accession Optimisation

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    Iryna Kyrychenko
    in

    Main question: How can the EU accelerate its enlargement process to maintain strategic credibility without causing reform fatigue in candidate countries? Argument: The EU must implement binding deadlines, reinforced-majority voting for interim stages, and conditional, milestone-based rewards. Conclusion: This optimized model replaces long-term uncertainty with a disciplined, fair sequence that catalyzes European modernization.