For many people around the world, 2021 has been like 2020 one of the most challenging and pivotal years they have experienced. This is not only because of covid-19, but also for reasons including the crisis in Afghanistan, the storming of the US capitol, and a once-in-a-generation election in Germany. While all these topics interested our readers, our top read publications of the year paint a much more diverse picture.
One of these publications proved to be the most-read in ECFRs history! That honour goes to authors Mark Leonard and Ivan Krastev, who covered the changing nature of Americas power in the world as Joe Biden took office. Meanwhile, Gustav Gressel wrote four of the five most popular commentaries of the year, covering topics such as the events surrounding Russias military movements in eastern Europe.
But, to our continued delight, our readers interests are extremely varied and cover the entire globe. That is why, as ever, our researchers have worked diligently to keep you informed about global issues and address the greatest strategic challenges facing Europeans during this time and why they will continue to do so.
As the year draws to a close, ECFR presents a run-down of the ten most popular policy briefs (long form) and the ten most popular commentaries (short form).
Pleaselike us,follow us, and use the coming break to listen to ourWorld in 30 Minutes podcast.Explore the rest of our workhere and here.
1. The crisis of American power: How Europeans see Bidens America by Ivan Krastev, Mark Leonard
This is the most-read policy brief in ECFR history (since we began to track readership numbers). The authors explore European views on Americas role in the world and its relationship with Europe.
2. The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe by Andrew Lebovich, Andrew Small, Asli Aydintasbas, Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Jana Puglierin, Jeremy Shapiro, Julien Barnes-Dacey, Kadri Liik, Susanne Baumann, Tara Varma
ECFRs policy experts examine what the Taliban takeover means for countries and regions around the world: Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Sahel.
3. Useful enemies: How the Turkey-UAE rivalry is remaking the Middle East by Asli Aydintasbas, Cinzia Bianco
An exploration of the relationship between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, which are engaged in a decade-long feud that is reshuffling the geopolitical order in the Middle East and North Africa. Their rivalry plays out everywhere from the Horn of Africa to the eastern Mediterranean in the halls of Washington and Brussels, the global media discourse, the energy industry, and, lately, ports and the high seas.
4. Europes invisible divides: How covid-19 is polarising European politics by Ivan Krastev, Mark Leonard
The lived experience of the covid-19 pandemic split Europe just as the euro and refugee crises did, with the south and the east feeling much more badly affected than the north and the west.
5. Crisis of confidence: How Europeans see their place in the world by Jana Puglierin, Susi Dennison
Public faith in EU institutions has declined due to their handling of the covid-19 pandemic and vaccine procurement. However, the European project is not doomed, as citizens still believe in the need for greater cooperation particularly in strengthening the European Union as a global actor.
6. The geopolitics of the European Green Deal by Guntram Wolff, Jean Pisani-Ferry, Jeremy Shapiro, Mark Leonard, Simone Tagliapietra
The European Green Deal will have profound geopolitical repercussions, some of which are likely to have an adverse impact on the EUs partners. The EU should prepare to manage these repercussions in its relationships with important countries in its neighbourhood such as Russia and Algeria, and with global players such as the US, China, and Saudi Arabia.
7. Chinas great game in the Middle East by Camille Lons, Degang Sun, Jonathan Fulton, Naser Al-TamimiChina has significantly increased its economic, political, and to a lesser extent security footprint in the Middle East in the past decade, becoming the biggest trade partner and external investor for many countries in the region. Yet the countrys growing economic presence is likely to pull it into wider engagement with the region in ways that could significantly affect European interests.
8. Decade of patience: How China became a power in the Western Balkans by Vladimir Shopov
China has become the most prominent third actor in the Western Balkans. The countrysactivities are spread unevenly across the region, but they follow a common approach. As European and US ambivalence towards the Western Balkans persists, the region will be in increasing danger of falling into an endless spiral of competition between various foreign actors.
9. What Europeans think about the US-China Cold War by Ivan Krastev, Mark Leonard
A majority of European citizens believe a new cold war with both China and Russia is under way but they mostly do not think that their own country is involved. There is no European public consensus that the world of tomorrow will be one of growing competition between democracy and authoritarianism.
10. Beyond Merkelism: What Europeans expect of post-election Germany by Jana Puglierin, Piotr Buras
EU citizens view Germany as a trustworthy, pro-European power. But, to lead the EU effectively, Germany will need to tackle the two greatest threats it faces: a weakening of the rule of law in the EU, and the blocs failure to defend its interests in the world.
1. Gustav Gressel
Receiving his own category, Gustav Gressel must have broken some sort of record with four out of the top five most-read ECFR commentaries of the year. We sense a pattern in our readerships interest
Many European leaders do not seem to grasp the seriousness of this moment in the Ukrainian conflict. Unless the West makes a greater effort to counter Russian military coercion, there is no guarantee that Russia will stop with Ukraine.
Russia is mobilising its forces, but much more covertly than in the past. Moscows belief that the EU and US will not step in to protect Ukraine could lead it to take direct military action.
European governments have yet to learn a key lesson from the war in Ukraine. The alternative reality the Kremlin lives in is becoming increasingly dangerous.
The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war holds important lessons for European defence. European governments should study it urgently.
2. After the withdrawal: Chinas interests in Afghanistan by Janka Oertel and Andrew Small
ECFRs Janka Oertel and Andrew Small discuss Chinas attitude towards the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan.
3. Why America is facing off against the International Criminal Court by Anthony Dworkin
The US long ago took umbrage at the unlikely prospect that the ICC could prosecute Americans. The consequences of this stance are now revealing themselves.
4. Somalias election impasse: A crisis of state building by Matt Bryden, Theodore Murphy
The EU can unblock the so-called electoral impasse paralysing Somalia by rejecting the involvement of the outgoing president. But it must also set out a new framework to help the country move forward
5. The capture of Kabul: What the Taliban takeover will mean for Irans economy by Esfandyar Batmanghelidj
Iran was more economically dependent on Afghanistan than many people realise. The change of regime will impact on Tehran in four main ways.
6. What Germanys new cyber security law means for Huawei, Europe, and NATO by Beryl Thomas
The German governments 5G security plan tacitly allows Huawei to embed itself in domestic telecom networks with great implications for Europes defence and security.
7. Chinas new military base in Africa: What it means for Europe and America by Michal Tanchum
A permanent Chinese military installation in Equatorial Guinea is the culmination of nearly a decades investment in Africa and will not be the last of such bases on the continents Atlantic coast.
8. Why attempts to reset relations with Russia fail by Nicu Popescu
Offering resets to Russia does not work. On the contrary, a more muscular approach to the country will yield results.
9. Foreign and defence policy in the German election by Ulrike Franke
The parties in Germanys next coalition government could find it hard to bridge their differences on foreign and defence policy.
10. Nordic discomfort: How Denmark, Sweden, and Finland could harm the European project by Marlene Riedel
Too many Europeans are turning a blind eye to the domestic politics of Nordic states. But theirs is a trajectory that could affect the future of the EU.
The European Council on Foreign Relations does not take collective positions. ECFR publications only represent the views of its individual authors.
Original post:
ECFRs top reads of 2021 - European Council on Foreign Relations
- High seas drama: Cruise ship bound for Bahamas is diverted to Portland - Mainebiz - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- African Ports Overwhelmed By Red Sea Reroutings - gCaptain - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Party Pirates: A Hilarious Co-op Adventure on the High Seas - Game Is Hard - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Boat sinks in high seas off Malpe, eight fishermen rescued - Public TV English - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Arena's Swept Away is a Dark Tale on the High Seas with Music by Grammy Winners The Avett Brothers - The Zebra - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- Money Memories: Finances on the high seas - Louisville Public Media - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- The Arctic Sunrise II Does the ISA have 'enforcement jurisdiction' on the High Seas? - EJIL: Talk! - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- Severe Weather Impacting Multiple Cruise Ships - Cruise Hive - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- Taking to the high seas for an up-close look at South Fork Wind - theday.com - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- High Waves and Rough Seas Forecast for Costa Rica Coasts - The Tico Times - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- Diesel theft on the high seas: When international cargo ships meet fishing boats in the dead of night - The Indian Express - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- Meet the couple who've been on more than 200 cruises - and love life on the high seas so much they're selling - Daily Mail - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- Report to Congress on the U.N. Law of the Sea Convention - USNI ... - USNI News - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Simplifying Docker Installation on Linux - Linux Journal - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Mallory to Present 'Oceans Apart: Global Governance Approaches to ... - University of Arkansas Newswire - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- NEWS: A NEW 'Moana' Show Is Coming to the Disney Treasure ... - AllEars.Net - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Things to do Oct. 13-19 in the Chicago suburbs, Northwest Indiana - Chicago Tribune - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Marine "Biomimetics" Could Be the Blue Economy's Next Big Hit - The Maritime Executive - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- All eyes on France this Saturday evening - Offaly Independent - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- 80s-themed cruise: A blast to the past with P&O's high-sea adventure - New Zealand Herald - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- High seas glamour: what its like to cruise the world with Cunard - Executive Traveller - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Warfare MMO Foxhole is adding naval combat complete with huge ... - PC Gamer - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- One Piece Season 2 Cast: Every Character Expected to Appear - The Direct - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- The future of Portuguese football: the pitch, the pixels, and the promise - PortuGOAL.net - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Typhoon Koinu to cause high winds, rough waters in East Sea - VietNamNet - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Governing our seas using core principles of sustainability - Mail and Guardian - September 19th, 2023 [September 19th, 2023]
- Marine Medium Speed Engine Oil Market: Navigating the High Seas ... - Digital Journal - September 19th, 2023 [September 19th, 2023]
- Threats on the high seas and the Pak-Saudi partnership - Arab News Pakistan - September 19th, 2023 [September 19th, 2023]
- China Wants to Burn Out Southeast Asian Navies - Foreign Policy - September 19th, 2023 [September 19th, 2023]
- Sea of Thieves Will Have to Face the Reaper Sooner or Later - GameRant - September 19th, 2023 [September 19th, 2023]
- Whine Wednesdays: Pigs On The High Seas Disgusting Behavior ... - LoyaltyLobby - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Carnival Now Looks in Ship Shape for the High Seas - RealMoney - RealMoney - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Why a new UN treaty to safeguard the high seas matters | Mint - Mint - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Navigating Unfairness on the High Seas: Class Action Waiver Clauses - Lexology - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- High-Seas Search for 39 Crewmembers of Capsized Chinese ... - The Maritime Executive - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The Wager by David Grann review a rollicking and nuanced history of the high seas - The Guardian - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- A musician from Sauk Prairie sees the world on the high seas - WiscNews - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- How to obtain The Major-General minion in Final Fantasy XIV - Fanbyte - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- ShipRocked 2024: Artist Lineup Revealed For Hard Rockin Adventure On The High Seas! - Icon Vs. Icon - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Local playwright's Hollerwood show premiers at West T. Hill - The ... - Interior Journal - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Meth worth several thousand crores seized from high seas by Indian Navy, NCB - The News Minute - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Salute to Sailors: Navy employs technology and training to ready sailors - WHP Harrisburg - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The Ocean Race Summit Newport urges recognition of the inherent ... - The Ocean Race - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Max Reveals All of the New Titles Coming to It's Platform In May ... - Just Jared Jr. - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Fisheries: agreement reached on sustainable management of ... - Oceans and fisheries - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- United Arab Emirates formally accepts Agreement on Fisheries ... - WTO Latest News - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Murky Tar Balls Reappear on Goa's Golden Beaches | Weather.com - The Weather Channel - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Study: Fishing Subsidies Support Unregulated Distant-Water Fishing - The Maritime Executive - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The Rings Of Power's Morfydd Clark Hints At 'Quite A Lot Of New ... - Looper - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Chris Armstrong Short Cuts: High Seas Fishing LRB 18 May 2023 - London Review of Books - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- It's Chaos on the High Seas in New 'The Meg 2' Poster - Collider - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- From South Dakota to the high seas, the world gets less transparent - Coda Story - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Stepping up action - Nature.com - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Stricken Shiling tipped to return to Wellington the scene of its ... - Stuff - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Secretary ... - The White House - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Bangladesh: Dangerous Cyclone Mocha expected to make landfall ... - Save the Children International - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Stricken 294-metre Shiling tipped to return to Wellington - the scene ... - Stuff.co.nz - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Sneak peek: Inside Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever - The Points Guy - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War' is Celebrating Its 6th ... - Touch Arcade - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Is Deck 1 on a Cruise Ship Bad - Pros and Cons - Cruise Hive - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- US-Iran nuclear struggle is playing out on the high seas - The Telegraph - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Muscle Flexing In South China Sea: Why India-ASEAN War Games Send A Strong Signal To Beijing - ABP Live - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Everybody Has a Story: Surviving rough ride in a smelly ship - The Columbian - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Holiday warning over Majorca party boats loved by Brits as officials vow massive new crackdown... - The US Sun - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Dark waters: how the adventure of a lifetime turned to tragedy - The Guardian - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Guarding our seas and the blue economy - Philstar.com - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Driverless boats, enduring sensors on the special ops maritime menu - Defense News - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- List Of The Cleanest Cruise Ships In The World (2023) - Cruise Mummy - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Sea of Survivors: What if Vampire Survivors and Sea of Thieves had ... - Windows Central - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- All hands on deck as UN meets to protect high seas - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- 'High Seas' Season 4 Canceled at Netflix Even After Initial Renewal - January 22nd, 2023 [January 22nd, 2023]
- 'High Seas' Netflix Review: Stream It or Skip It? - Decider - January 22nd, 2023 [January 22nd, 2023]
- What Is High Seas Governance? - National Oceanic and Atmospheric ... - January 22nd, 2023 [January 22nd, 2023]
- Move Over Disney: Carnival Is Grooming on the High Seas - December 23rd, 2022 [December 23rd, 2022]
- Get Your First Look at Halloween on the High Seas on the Disney Wish ... - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Repost: On Armistice Day, Remembering the German High Seas Fleet ... - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Pirates of High Seas Fest 2022 returns to Panama City Beach - November 19th, 2022 [November 19th, 2022]
- Boo! Get a First Look at Halloween on the High Seas on the Disney Wish - November 19th, 2022 [November 19th, 2022]
- Historically powerful storm to hit Alaska this weekend with seas up ... - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]
- Explained: What is the UN High Seas Treaty, and why have countries ... - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]