The hottest European Affairs Substack posts right now

Antisemitism is intensifying worldwide and shows up in many forms, from violent attacks and terror plots to surveillance, vandalism, and social exclusion.
Keeping accurate, evidence-based records of attacks and motives is vital to prevent denial, minimization, and misinformation about what happened.
Official and public responses are uneven: authorities sometimes increase security or deploy troops, but public concern often fades while antisemitic attitudes remain common and leave communities feeling unsafe.

Estonia is caught between major powers and has a history of being controlled by others. Its small size and location make it vulnerable but also strategically important.
There is a NATO obligation for members to defend Estonia if it's attacked. Recent incidents in the Gulf of Finland have increased tensions between Estonia and Russia.
The relationship between the U.S. and NATO could be affected by how European leaders, especially those in Estonia, handle conflicts with Russia. It's important to pay attention to these developments.

Russia punches above its economic weight militarily and has nuclear weapons, so Europe can no longer assume outside guarantees will always hold. Europe must prepare credible independent defense options.
Two mini-lateral coalitions — an "Inner Europe" core (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Netherlands) and a "Viking Alliance" of northern states plus the UK, Baltics, and Ukraine — could form the main conventional balance to Russia. If they build real command structures, budgets, and production, they would outweigh Russia in conventional resources.
Emergent European military coalitions would change deterrence and U.S. politics by making any presidential tilt toward Russia more visible and politically costly. They would normalize forward deployments, bilateral guarantees, and industrial cooperation that strengthen collective defense.

Ukrainians are actively thinking through a strategic, nuanced plan for how to achieve victory.
Some Western reporting, including recent Wall Street Journal pieces, misrepresents or misunderstands that strategy and promotes misleading narratives like claims about sending the youngest people to the front.
There is a substantive Ukrainian strategic discussion underway that is more complex than many Western observers appreciate.

Europeans are unusually alarmed by the idea of the U.S. moving to take Greenland, fearing it could signal a broader breakdown in the international order and inspire other territorial grabs.
There is a practical logic to the move: the U.S. worries Europe can’t defend the Arctic as ice melts and new routes open to China and Russia.
Breaking the U.S.-Europe alliance would mainly help rivals like China, Russia, and Iran, and Europe is likely to back down when faced with threats such as a catastrophic trade war.

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French President Macron suggests that Europe might need to send troops to Ukraine to help. He believes if Russia wins, it would threaten the security of neighboring countries.
British Prime Minister Sunak agrees, warning that Putin's aggression could extend beyond Poland if not stopped.
There is a growing urgency in Europe now that America is delaying weapon support. Experts are saying NATO may need to send soldiers to avoid a major defeat.

The Trump team has pushed a much more aggressive foreign policy with bold moves like seizing political figures, claiming territory, and threatening other states, signaling a return to forceful US action abroad.
The idea of "Turbo America" says the US is not in decline but is reasserting itself by being more extractive of allies to keep global dominance, and recent events are presented as proof of that thesis.
Europe lacks real sovereignty and functions largely as a set of US-aligned vassals, so the traditional concept of a unified "West" is effectively dead unless it’s seen as centered in the United States.

Britain and France are deepening their nuclear cooperation to enhance security for both nations and Europe. This means working together to better deter threats and coordinate their nuclear strategies.
The recent agreement reflects concerns about global security, especially with uncertainties regarding the US's commitment to NATO. Both countries are worried about their safety and want to reinforce their positions.
The Northwood Declaration builds on previous agreements and highlights a shared responsibility for European security, especially given the changing political landscape and challenges from neighbors.

France has a historical vision for strong leadership in Europe, which includes being independent from other powers like the USA.
In the past, French leaders wanted to build the country's economic and military strength, especially its nuclear capabilities.
Currently, there seems to be a hesitation in France to fully step into the role of leadership, even in a moment that could be significant for the country.