Members of the ELN reflect on what European responses to President Trump’s remarks on Greenland tell us about NATO cohesion and Europe’s capacity to act on its own security.
2026 started with President Trump’s astonishing show of force in Venezuela, culminating in the seizure of President Maduro to face drug charges in the US. Whilst Venezuela’s future may be unclear, one thing that is now more than apparent is President Trump’s willingness to use might and ignore norms and laws to advance what he views as America’s foreign policy interests. To understand this better, Rachel Ellehuus, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), joins ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El.
At the start of the new year, members of the European Leadership Network’s senior and younger-generation leaders’ networks offer their perspectives on their defining issue or policy trend to watch in 2026.
There is a common tendency to view and discuss Africa in terms of the problems affecting the continent. More recently, the West has also started to look anxiously on as China and Russia build influence with African leaders. However, Africa is a continent as vast as it is diverse, with the economic potential to match. To understand both the issues affecting Africa and its future potential, ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El is joined by Amaka Anku, Head of Africa Practice at the Eurasia Group.
Conflict is rising, institutions are strained, and fragmented interventions yield fragile gains. Robert J. Berg and Chair of the ELN, Lord Des Browne, propose a nationally led, evidence-based peacebuilding paradigm that scales beyond pilots and designs interventions to achieve lasting impact. Core elements include citizen-driven diagnostics, alignment with key public policies, police and military reform where necessary, investment in education and media, and the responsible use of technology. To catalyse this shift, they propose an International Fund for Peace.
Development aid faces unprecedented disruption following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and USAID’s 2025 withdrawal, leaving vulnerable states exposed. The YGLN’s Economy Working Group consulted with analysts and practitioners on the ground to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives on the cessation of aid and their future outlook. Experts urge renewed democratic aid, stronger EU commitment, transparency, and vigilance against authoritarian influence.