IEP@BU - Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University

The empirical evidence does not confirm the hypothesis that the public debt tends to be more stable in countries where the (real) interest rate is systematically lower than (real) growth. On the contrary. A Policy Brief by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi

The Matchstick of Inflation

Both in the U.S. and Europe, the excess liquidity created over past decades has been only partially reabsorbed. It remains ready to fuel inflation if a matchstick is struck. A commentary by Franco Bruni

The Geopolitics of Trump’s Inauguration Speech

The geopolitical references in the inaugural address of the new US President are striking because they align closely with the concept of “classic geopolitics”—a vision of politics and international relations as an aggressive, zero-sum game. A commentary by Andrea Colli

Trump 2.0, The EU-US Relationship at a Crossroads

Much of the impact of the new Trump Administration on Europe will depend on how the balance of power within the US plays out between the President and key corporate leaders, of Big Tech in particular. A commentary by Mario Monti

Ukraine Refugees: From Temporary Protection to Encouraging Return to Support the Ukrainian Economy

While the reconstruction of Ukraine is often envisioned to happen after the war, rebuilding the Ukrainian manufacturing sector should commence now. A commentary by Yuriy Gorodnichenko, and Daniel Gros

IEP@BU Events

WEBINAR

24/02/2025, 14:30 - 24/02/2025, 15:30

When Will Germany Be Back?

Join us as we debrief the European implications of the German federal elections with Wolfgang Munchau (Eurointelligence, author of the book Kaput: The End of the German Miracle), Diana Pieper (Die Welt, IEP@BU Media Fellow), Stefano Feltri, (IEP@BU)

WEBINAR

18/02/2025, 14:30 - 18/02/2025, 15:30

Deterrence, Diplomacy, and Risk of Conflict: the Taiwan Challenge for the EU

What role can the EU play in a global deterrence strategy to prevent a conflict between the US and China over Taiwan? How might the EU effectively de-risk its relationship with the Taiwanese semiconductor industry? A conversation with Bill Emmott (author of the book Deterrence, Diplomacy, and the Risk of Conflict over Taiwan), Mariangela Pira (SkyTg24), and Stefano Feltri (IEP@BU)

WEBINAR

30/01/2025, 14:30 - 30/01/2025, 15:30

Which EU Defense Spending to Address the War in Ukraine and Russia?

A Conversation Based on the IEP@BU Policy Brief: Before Vegetius – Critical Questions for European Defense with Olesya Vinhas de Souza (NATO Defense Council), Andrea Gilli (University of St Andrews, and IEP@BU), Stefano Feltri (IEP@BU)

WEBINAR

20/01/2025, 14:30 - 20/01/2025, 15:30

Trump is Back: What Future for the EU-US Relationship?

On the inauguration day of Donald Trump’s second presidency, IEP@BU will host a digital event to discuss the findings of a recent Eupinions survey on the EU-US relationship and their implications. With Catherine De Vries (IEP@BU), Isabell Hoffmann (eupinions, Bertelsmann Stiftung), and Stefano Feltri (IEP@BU)

IEP@BU Fellows

DIBATTITI di GEOPOLITICA - WATCH THE SIXTH EVENT OF THE SERIES

Geopolitics of Climate

IEP@BU - EU Defense Industry and Policy

Policy Brief: Defense Expenditure in EU Countries

Much more work would be needed to quantify the potential savings from joint defense initiatives at the EU level. The available estimates, ranging from 20 to 100 billion, are not at all reliable. A Policy Brief by Carlo Cottarelli, and Lelouca Virgadamo

Does the EU and its Member States try Harder than We Think?

Cooperation between EU member states on issues of joint production and procurement is arguably less limited than IEP@BU Policy Brief by Cottarelli and Virgadamo suggests. A commentary by Stephanie C. Hofmann

Why Need to Have a Clear Strategy When We Discuss Defense Expenditure

Identifying the appropriate level of spending is difficult and there is not really any science about this. This is because different considerations play a role, including military strategy to political psychology. Andrea Gilli, and Mauro Gilli react to the recent IEP@BU Policy Brief Defense Expenditure in EU Countries

The New Commission Needs a Strategy to Trump-Proof European Security

If Trump is elected in November 2024, the security outlook of Europe could deteriorate very fast. It is therefore essential that the Commission and the forthcoming Defence Commissioner begin the policy planning and design well in advance. A commentary by Francesco Nicoli

The Real Problem With the European Defense Industry

The EU aerospace and defense companies invest in R&D as much as their US counterparts, with the primary difference being the size of the market, Daniel Gros, Philipp-Leo Mengel, Giorgio Presidente, and Jean Tirole argues

Enrico Letta: Financing Europe's Leap Towards Defence Integration

The European Union can only adequately tackle the intricate challenges of modernising its defence capabilities by exploring diverse financing mechanisms and integrating both public and private resources, Enrico Letta argues in his Much More than a Market report

Time for a Real European Defense?

Survey data suggest that recently announced EU Commission plans for a European Defence Strategy might lack ambition: western Europeans are unlikely to be enthused by half-backed compromises, Francesco Nicoli writes in a commentary

Policy Brief - Before Vegetius: Critical Questions for European Defense

n a more dangerous and unstable world, Europe must thus prepare for war to maintain peace and its security: as Vegetius noted, si vis pacem para bellum. However, increasing budgets is not enough if the EU does not address key strategic questions.

A new website shows the roll-call votes in European Parliament by MEP, MEP, group, and country, going back to 2004. You can also download the data for free. By Simon Hix and Abdul Noury

IEP@BU Events

IEP@BU Fellows

Muxin Li

Gianluigi Riva

Grace Ballor

Letizia Mencarini

Arianna Vedaschi

Massimo Bordignon

Irene Agnolucci

Gabriella Perotto

Ronald Burt

Oreste Pollicino

Chiara Trabacchi

Pietro Galeone

Francesco Perrini

Tito Boeri

Franco Bruni

Ignazio Angeloni

Angelo Martelli

Claudio Tebaldi

Giuseppe Corvino

Alan Dashwood

IEP@BU - EU Defense Industry and Policy

Policy Brief: Defense Expenditure in EU Countries

Does the EU and its Member States try Harder than We Think?

Why Need to Have a Clear Strategy When We Discuss Defense Expenditure

The New Commission Needs a Strategy to Trump-Proof European Security

The Real Problem With the European Defense Industry

Enrico Letta: Financing Europe's Leap Towards Defence Integration

Time for a Real European Defense?

Policy Brief - Before Vegetius: Critical Questions for European Defense

IEP@BU Newsletter

IEP@BU is on Substack

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