An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble In the NewsApril 20, 2026 An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble In an op-ed published by Euractiv, Robert Benson explains why Europe should not let its prosperity be contingent on Beijing’s tolerance. Apr 20, 2026 Euractiv Robert Benson
Exporting MAGA Ideology: Why Orbán’s Loss Doesn’t End the Threat Posed by the Extreme Right ArticleApril 14, 2026 Exporting MAGA Ideology: Why Orbán’s Loss Doesn’t End the Threat Posed by the Extreme Right Viktor Orbán’s defeat in Hungary dealt a real blow to MAGA’s international project, but it will not stop the Trump administration from using American power to promote far-right allies abroad. Apr 14, 2026 Damian Murphy, Robert Benson
Orbán’s Defeat in the Hungarian Election Signals a Blow to the Global Authoritarian Movement ArticleApril 14, 2026 Orbán’s Defeat in the Hungarian Election Signals a Blow to the Global Authoritarian Movement Viktor Orbán’s defeat in Hungary signals a repudiation of corrupt governance and a blow for the global authoritarian movement—including Trump. Apr 14, 2026 Robert Benson, Gréta Bedekovics
Defeating Iranian drones means listening to Ukraine In the NewsMarch 12, 2026 Defeating Iranian drones means listening to Ukraine Luke Zahner and Robert Benson write in Stars and Stripes about how Iranian-designed drones are changing modern warfare and what Ukraine has learned about combating them. Mar 12, 2026 Stars and Stripes Luke Zahner, Robert Benson
Iran Spotlights How Trump Is Fracturing the Transatlantic Alliance ArticleMarch 12, 2026 Iran Spotlights How Trump Is Fracturing the Transatlantic Alliance President Trump’s war with Iran is exposing how Europe has grown too divided and too dependent to resist an increasingly coercive transatlantic alliance. Mar 12, 2026 Robert Benson
Trump’s Greenland Threats Reveal the Costs of Overt Aggression ArticleJanuary 22, 2026 Trump’s Greenland Threats Reveal the Costs of Overt Aggression By normalizing coercion over cooperation, the United States forfeits trust, fractures alliances, and invites a more dangerous world. Jan 22, 2026 Damian Murphy, Robert Benson
Illiberal International: The Transatlantic Right’s Challenge to Democracy In the NewsJanuary 20, 2026 Illiberal International: The Transatlantic Right’s Challenge to Democracy In a chapter published in the European Center for Populism Studies’ report “Populism and the Future of Transatlantic Relations: Challenges and Policy Options,” Robert Benson investigates the transatlantic dimensions of far-right political mobilization, tracing the networks linking populist and authoritarian actors across Europe and the United States. Jan 20, 2026 European Center for Populism Studies Robert Benson
Trump’s 28-Point Peace Plan Will Invite the Next War ArticleNovember 21, 2025 Trump’s 28-Point Peace Plan Will Invite the Next War The Trump administration’s leaked “peace plan” hands Moscow strategic victories, forces Ukraine to swallow unilateral concessions, and sets the stage for a deadlier future war. Nov 21, 2025 Robert Benson, Damian Murphy
What will the situation in Russia and Ukraine look like five years from now? In the NewsNovember 21, 2025 What will the situation in Russia and Ukraine look like five years from now? Robert Benson joined a symposium for NOTUS, in which he describes how the Russia-Ukraine conflict may look five years from now. Nov 21, 2025 NOTUS Robert Benson
Trump’s Sanctions on Russia Are Serious—Enforcement Will Decide Whether They Work ArticleNovember 18, 2025 Trump’s Sanctions on Russia Are Serious—Enforcement Will Decide Whether They Work President Trump’s new sanctions finally target the heart of Russia’s war machine, but only aggressive, disciplined enforcement will decide whether they actually bite. Nov 18, 2025 Robert Benson
Beyond participation trophies: The EU’s credibility crisis in the Western Balkans In the NewsOctober 6, 2025 Beyond participation trophies: The EU’s credibility crisis in the Western Balkans In an op-ed published by Euractiv, Robert Benson argues that the EU cannot credibly preach democracy abroad while tolerating stagnation in its own neighborhood. Oct 6, 2025 Euractiv Robert Benson
A Green Light for Authoritarianism: How the Trump Administration Fuels Global Autocracy ArticleSeptember 19, 2025 A Green Light for Authoritarianism: How the Trump Administration Fuels Global Autocracy When U.S. support retreats, autocrats escalate their attacks, leaving democratic institutions vulnerable. This creates a global environment where authoritarianism can thrive. Sep 19, 2025 Dan Herman, Robert Benson