Print
The expert comments are brief 1.000- to 1,500-word pieces produced by the Elcano Royal Institute's analysts as an immediate response to international events relevant to Spain.
The EU-China investment agreement: a step in the right direction
Mario Esteban & Miguel Otero-Iglesias. Expert Comment 9/2021 (English version) - 19/1/2021.
The announcement of an investment agreement between the EU and China (EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, or CAI) on 30 December has generated a huge controversy.
Great power rivalry in the Middle East
Wojciech Michnik. Expert Comment 7/2021 - 18/1/2021.
Today three external powers –the US, China and Russia– are the leading players behind great power rivalry in the Middle East.The consequences of the Arab Uprisings, the decline of the post-Cold War order and increasing global rivalry between great powers have led to this regional competition anew.
The Portuguese Presidency: striking the balance between unfinished business and leaving its own mark
Nicoletta Pirozzi, Funda Tekin and Ilke Toygür. Expert Comment 2/2021 (English version) - 4/1/2021.
On 1 January 2021 Germany handed over the Presidency of the Council of the EU to Portugal.
The Impact of the Biden Administration on Turkey-EU Relations
Kadri Tastan & Ilke Toygür. 23/12/2020.
On the task of preventing further drift with Turkey, the European Union and the United States face similar challenges.
From Venus to Janus: the EU and international disorder
Miguel Otero-Iglesias. Expert Comment 40/2020 (English version) - 23/11/2020.
The EU is thus facing an historic moment. The challenges of international political economy that loom over us are enormous.
COVID-19 and human rights: conjuring up a defence of the right to science
Jessica Almqvist. Expert Comment 38/2020 - 11/11/2020.
In the context of the current crisis, meeting the state’s obligations to respect, protect and realise the right to science is a challenging task.
A plea for the German Presidency: invest boldly and smartly in the future of Europe
Nicoletta Pirozzi, Funda Tekin & Ilke Toygür. Expert Comment 26/2020 - 30/6/2020.
Expectations for leadership are high, as are hopes that the German Presidency of the Council of the EU will give substance to the claim ‘Together for Europe’s recovery’.
Living with COVID-19: The thinking behind Spain’s lockdown exit plan
Miguel Otero-Iglesias. Expert Comment 21/2020 - 2/6/2020.
Spain’s lockdown exit plan is based on four pillars: (1) proper data and healthcare capacities; (2) geographical asymmetry; (3) a two-way street with different speeds; and (4) subsidiarity and co-responsibility.
Expectations, competences and power: understanding the dynamics of EU institutions in tackling the COVID-19 crisis and setting the tone for the Conference on the Future of Europe
Ilke Toygür. Expert Comment 20/2020 - 2/6/2020.
It is vital to understand all its power dynamics before judging the EU’s performance while dealing with these multidimensional crises (such as the COVID-19 crisis), or any others to come.
Is Spain doing well or badly in its response to COVID-19?
Carmen González Enríquez. Expert Comment 16/2020 (English version) - 4/5/2020.
According to the GRID Index, which seeks to compare the quality of countries’ responses to COVID-19, Spain is ranked last. Is there any basis to this comparison in which Spain emerges so badly?