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The deployment of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites is rapidly transforming global communications, providing low-latency and high-speed internet from altitudes generally below 2 000 km. However, this vital infrastructure is vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats such as jamming and hijacking. In response, existing EU frameworks on cybersecurity and physical resilience are being complemented with the proposed EU space act. This new regime is set to reinforce binding cybersecurity and resilience ...

The global digital information sphere has become a contested geostrategic and ideological battleground. In this online 'marketplace of ideas', democracy is increasingly under pressure not only from traditional authoritarian governments, but also corporate actors who seek to further their interests. In democratic open information spaces, citizens would ideally be free to express and inform themselves. Authoritarian actors, on the other hand, continue to fine-tune techniques to manipulate public opinion ...

As part of its proposals for the EU's long-term budget for the 2028-2034 period, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Council regulation establishing the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and Decommissioning (INSC-D). The proposed regulation merges the current external and internal instruments: 1) the European Instrument for International Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC), which targets EU nuclear and radiation safety cooperation with partner countries; and 2) the financial ...

The EU has developed a differentiated system of financial supervision, distributing powers among bodies such as the ECB, ESMA, SRB and AMLA. Each authority operates with distinct mandates, governance structures and accountability mechanisms. Their combined roles illustrate how the Union balances centralisation, coordination and independence to address systemic risks, cross-border challenges and financial innovation.

On 5 December 2025, the White House released the 2025 United States (US) National Security Strategy (NSS). The NSS lays out the US foreign policy principles, priorities and focus on global regions. The 2025 NSS amounts to a significant reorientation of the US approach to the world, and a realignment of the US role in the current world order. It differs from past NSS, among other things, in terms of how domestic security priorities such as border security inform current US foreign policy, and how ...

On 16 July 2025 the European Commission presented its proposals for the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF), outlining a €1.8 trillion budget to guide EU spending over seven years. Within this framework, the single market and customs programme (SMCP) aims to strengthen the single market, the customs union, tax cooperation and the fight against fraud. To improve efficiency, the Commission proposes merging four existing programmes into one streamlined initiative.

Drawing attention to migrants' human rights and highlighting their contribution to society, International Migrants Day is observed every year on 18 December. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly on 4 December 2000 in response to growing migration numbers around the world. This updates a 2024 'At a glance' note by Anita Orav.

In the 10 years since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the Parties to the agreement have achieved a lot of progress in response to climate change. A Loss and Damage Fund was established in 2022. Rules for international carbon trading have been established under Article 6 of the agreement. A new goal for climate finance was agreed in 2024. The COP30 climate conference in November 2025 adopted indicators for climate adaptation and agreed to triple adaptation finance. The first global stocktake ...

With trade fundamental for its prosperity, the EU promotes an open economy and supports a multilateral rules-based order. The EU is a founder of and key player in the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, to overcome trade barriers, level the playing field for its businesses and promote international commitments on trade and sustainable development the EU has a network of more than 40 free trade agreements (FTAs), with other negotiations ongoing.