Table.Briefings

Talk of the town | Middle East

October 20th, 2025

Iran: How Tehran is depriving itself of its own opportunities to shape the situation in Gaza

Iran’s refusal of the invitation to the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh highlights the dilemma facing the leadership in Tehran. Regional integration and the lifting of sanctions are only possible by abandoning entrenched ideological positions – and recognizing Israel. In cooperation with the Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG).

By Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG)

Talk of the town | Peace negotiations

October 20th, 2025

Why Europeans are demonstrating composure ahead of a meeting between Putin and Trump in Budapest

The Foreign Affairs Council today and the summit on Thursday are overshadowed by a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Unlike before the summit in Alaska in the summer, the Europeans are taking a relaxed approach this time and want to stay the course.

By Stephan Israel

Feature

October 20th, 2025

FCAS: “We won’t be able to produce everything everywhere”

The Deputy Chair of the French Defense Committee, Sabine Thillaye, is calling for the dispute over the work orders in the EUR 100 billion FCAS project to be resolved quickly.

By Gabriel Bub

Feature

October 17th, 2025

Ukraine: What the Russian strategy for the winter could look like

The attacks on power plants in Kyiv have also led to power and potable water supply outages this week. There are concerns in the Ukrainian capital that the Russian strategy for the winter is a blackout.

By Denis Trubetskoy

Talk of the town

October 17th, 2025

Military service: Why the CDU/CSU and SPD are calming down

The Military Service Modernization Act has been referred to the Defense Committee without much ado. The compromise between voluntary and compulsory service is now to be negotiated further there.

By Lisa-Martina Klein

News | European defense

October 17th, 2025

Defense: Roadmap contains no cost information for flagship projects

The European Commission has adopted its roadmap for Europe’s defense capabilities through 2030. Four pan-European flagship projects will close key capability gaps. There is no cost information on the joint armaments effort.

By Stephan Israel

News | Russia

October 17th, 2025

Russian energy: European Parliament votes for faster phase-out

US President Donald Trump recently demanded that the EU refrain from buying Russian gas and oil. The European Parliament now supports a prompt phase-out and is even closing loopholes for some member states.

By Manuel Berkel

News | Defense industry

October 17th, 2025

EDIP: Parliament and Council agree on defense industry program

After 18 months of negotiations, the European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement on the European Defense Industrial Program (EDIP). One provision in particular, intended to benefit European companies, was controversial.

By Stephan Israel

News

October 15th, 2025

Baltic Sea: Why the development of a drone fleet is stalling

The establishment of a drone fleet to monitor the Baltic Sea has been delayed. A planned declaration of intent by the NATO countries bordering the Baltic Sea has been postponed until spring. This is due to unanswered questions regarding the participation of the member states.

By Lisa-Martina Klein

Heads

October 15th, 2025

France’s new Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin

If the new French government gains the confidence of the Assemblée Nationale, Catherine Vautrin will have the opportunity to clarify Franco–German issues. The experienced politician will have an expert from the Ministry of Defense at her side.

By Gabriel Bub

Security (English)