Skip to main content
Category

Research

ENC Researchers Asuman Kubra Bas, Thomas Jacobs and Samuel Doveri Vesterbye Publish New Book Chapter on Mediatized Discourses in Belgium

By Publications, Research

ENC Researchers Asuman Kubra Bas, Thomas Jacobs and Samuel Doveri Vesterbye Publish New Book Chapter on Mediatized Discourses in Belgium

ENC researchers have published a new book chapter on the representation of the EU and Europeanization in Belgian media, as part of the Mediatized EU project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme.

The chapter appears in the newly released open access volume Mediatized Discourses on Europeanization and their Representations in European Public Spheres, published by Thomson Reuters Aranzadi. The book brings together case studies from seven countries — Belgium, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. The volume offers invaluable perspectives on the evolution of the media’s role in the process of Europeanization and how these dynamics resonate among the public, focusing on the elite–media–public triangle.

ENC’s Asuman Kubra Bas (Head of Projects & Research), Dr. Thomas Jacobs (Academic Council Member), and Samuel Doveri Vesterbye (Director) co-authored the chapter on Belgium. Their analysis reveals increasing securitization in EU-related media discourse—especially in the context of the war in Ukraine and migration—and highlights converging perspectives among elites across linguistic communities. Despite more reserved public attitudes, the chapter finds that general trust in EU institutions remains.


🔗 Read the book (Open Access): https://bit.ly/43OSiA9
🛒 Purchase print edition: https://bit.ly/4n2gsi4

We would like to sincerely acknowledge our colleagues who contributed to research, data collection, and project management throughout the four years of the Mediatized EU project, including Andreas Marazis, Dr. Tom Willaert, Maria Bevza, Katsyarina Vinnikiva, Lucia Lalikova, and many others.

Understanding and Countering Information Manipulation in Central Asia: New Research Highlights FIMI Trends in Kyrgyzstan

By Projects, Research

Understanding and Countering Information Manipulation in Central Asia: New Research Highlights FIMI Trends in Kyrgyzstan

On 21 May 2025, the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and Internews Europe unveiled the preliminary findings of the pilot study “Tracking Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Online: Findings from Kyrgyzstan”, funded by the European Union through the “Cultivating Audience Resilience Through Amplification of Vibrant and Authentic Narratives” (CARAVAN) project.

The study, a collaboration between the European Neighbourhood Council, Pikasa Analytics, and Internews Europe, represents a pioneering effort to analyse the evolving FIMI landscape in Kyrgyzstan through a mixed-methods approach that combines supervised Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and qualitative verification.

Meera Selva, CEO of Internews Europe, said: “This research shows the importance of independent, cross-border and collaborative journalism that focuses on local communities. This kind of journalism delivers high-quality, trusted and relevant information that citizens need to make informed decisions about their lives and provides the best antidote to misinformation and manipulation.”

The rapid growth of digital media has opened new avenues for Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) to influence public opinion across the globe. Central Asia has not been immune to the global rise of information manipulation. Recent studies have documented the likely presence of FIMI across the region, often aligning with the geopolitical interests of foreign actors such as Russia and China. The scale and impact of disinformation activity have been particularly exposed during major global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These developments highlight the urgent need for targeted, context-specific research into how foreign information manipulation unfolds across Central Asia’s media environment.

This report presents findings from the first phase of pilot research, focused specifically on Kyrgyzstan. The findings offer a preliminary, yet detailed, portrait of Kyrgyzstan’s evolving FIMI landscape and provide insights aimed at improving methodology on FIMI and supporting policymakers, media professionals, and civil society actors working to strengthen societal resilience against foreign information manipulation and disinformation.

Beyond diagnosis, the research proposes concrete recommendations for national and international actors. These include strengthening digital literacy initiatives, supporting pluralistic and explanatory journalism, developing AI-based monitoring tools tailored to local languages, and fostering transparent media regulation that upholds freedom of expression.

Peter M. Wagner, Head of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, said: “While FIMI is a global horizontal threat, it often needs to be addressed with very targeted and context-specific responses, such as through the EU-funded CARAVAN project, which this research is part of.”

This work forms part of the broader CARAVAN initiative, funded by the European Union, and which is committed to strengthening information resilience across Central Asia.

The executive summary is available here.

ENC Analysis – Central Asia is Rising: Regional Integration, Border Resolution, and Strategic Autonomy

By Publications, Research

Central Asia is Rising: Regional Integration, Border Resolution, and Strategic Autonomy

The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released a new analysis on “Regional Integration, Border Resolution, and Strategic Autonomy.”

The article is written by Nazerke Mukhamediya, ENC Research and Communications Assistant and Independent Researcher and Dr. Aijan Sharshenova, ENC Academic Council Member and the Executive Director at Crossroads Central Asia.

Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, Central Asia grappled with building statehood amid unresolved borders and weak infrastructure, hindering regional integration for decades. Today, however, the region shows renewed momentum for cooperation around shared goals like connectivity, water management, and global engagement. This ENC analysis examines recent milestones—including border agreements and regional forums like the C5+1—highlighting the potential for a new era of regionalism. Despite persistent challenges, the authors argue that deeper cooperation is key to Central Asia’s stability, prosperity, and growing role in the international arena.

The full analysis is available here.

ENC Analysis-France, Its Nuclear Deterrence and Europe: How to Help It Take the Leap

By Publications, Research

France, Its Nuclear Deterrence and Europe: How to Help It Take the Leap

The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released a new analysis on “France, Its Nuclear Deterrence, and Europe: How to Help It Take the Leap.”

The article is written by ENC Academic Council Member Florian Galleri, ENC Academic Council Member and a doctor at the University of Nantes.

France has long championed a stronger European defense, yet its nuclear deterrent remains outside collective frameworks. As the EU’s only nuclear power, France faces a key challenge: balancing its strategic autonomy with the need for European security cooperation. This ENC analysis explores the tensions between France’s nuclear independence and European solidarity, the skepticism surrounding nuclear deterrence in Europe, and the potential pathways for integrating France’s nuclear capabilities into a European security framework.

The full analysis is available here.

ENC Analysis – Perceptions of Elites on the European Union and Europeanization: The Belgian Case

By Publications, Research

ENC Analysis

Perceptions of Elites on the European Union and Europeanization: The Belgian Case

The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released its new analysis on “Perceptions of Elites on the European Union and Europeanization: The Belgian Case.”

The article is written by Asuman Kubra Bas, ENC Project Manager and Researcher and Prof. Thomas Jacobs, Professor at UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles and ENC Academic Council Member.

Belgium’s strong pro-European stance shapes its political and media debates, yet is far from being monolithic. Beyond the surface, key debates around migration, security, and economic solidarity reveal how Belgian elites interpret, negotiate, and contest European identity and values. This ENC analysis, drawing on interviews with actors from Belgium’s political and media spheres conducted MEDIATIZED EU – Mediatized Discourses on Europeanization and Their Representations in Public Perceptions Project*, demonstrates how Europe serves as a unifying yet contested idea, shaping public discourse and sparking new debates.

The full analysis is available here.

* The project was concluded in 2024 with the support from European Union’s H2020 Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement no 101004534 – Mediatized EU – H2020 – SC6 – Transformations – 2020.

ENC Analysis – Central Asia’s Battle with Water Scarcity: Government and International Interventions

By Publications, Research

 Central Asia’s Battle with Water Scarcity: Government and International Interventions

The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released its new analysis on “Central Asia’s Battle with Water Scarcity: Government and International Interventions“.

The article is authored by Bruce Pannier, a longtime journalist, ENC External Advisor, and Central Asia Fellow in Eurasia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Water scarcity has long been a critical issue in Central Asia, now exacerbated by climate change and regional geopolitical dynamics. In this ENC analysis, Bruce Pannier outlines the ongoing water scarcity issues in Central Asia and discusses the efforts of both Central Asian governments and international partners, including the European Union, to mitigate these challenges.

The full paper is available here.



ENC Analysis – Russia-Ukraine War and Geopolitical Competition in the Black Sea Region

By Publications, Research

 Russia-Ukraine War and Geopolitical Competition in the Black Sea Region

The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released its new analysis on “Russia-Ukraine War and Geopolitical Competition in the Black Sea Region.”

The article is co-authored by Dr. Nika Chitadze (ENC Academic Council Member and Professor of the International Black Sea University, Tbilisi, Georgia), Dr. Victoria Vdovychenko (Associate Professor and Program Director of the Center for Defence Strategies) and Dr. Natalia Albu (Associate Professor of the Alexandru cel Bun Military Academy of Armed Forces of Republic of Moldova).

The war in Ukraine has intensified geopolitical competition in the Black Sea Region (BSR), creating significant challenges and opportunities for both regional and global actors. In this ENC analysis, the authors examine the complex dynamics of the BSR, emphasizing its historical significance and the evolving geopolitical landscape post-Soviet Union dissolution, while also exploring the strategic interests of key players such as the European Union, Russia, the USA, China, NATO, Türkiye and Iran.

The full paper is available here.



ENC Analysis – Soft Power Lessons from Russia’s War: How to Overcome Polarisation and Strengthen Liberal Democracy

By Publications, Research

Soft Power Lessons from Russia’s War: How to Overcome Polarisation and Strengthen Liberal Democracy

The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released its new analysis titled “Soft Power Lessons from Russia’s War: How to Overcome Polarisation and Strengthen Liberal Democracy.

The article is written by Dr. Leila Alieva, ENC Academic Council Member and an affiliate of Russian and East European Studies, Oxford University School for Global Arena Studies.

The international community has mainly focused on military actions in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. However, the war has revealed important insights that go beyond the battlefield, showing major weaknesses in soft power strategies. In fact, the war in Ukraine increased political and geographic divisions, highlighted the harmful effects of exclusion, shown that societies’ abilities to reform, and exposed the domination of neopatriarchy in contemporary politics. In this ENC Analysis, Dr. Leila Alieva discusses how addressing these issues through inclusive approaches can mitigate polarization and contribute to a more resilient and unified international order.

The full paper is available here.



ENC Analysis – EU Counter-Terrorism Efforts & MENA Violent Extremism: Did the EU help MENA Countries Enhance their Security?

By Publications, Research

EU Counter-Terrorism Efforts & MENA Violent Extremism: Did the EU Help MENA Countries Enhance their Security?

The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released its new analysis on “EU Counter-Terrorism Efforts & MENA Violent Extremism: Did the EU Help MENA Countries Enhance their Security?”

The article is written by Dr. Ebtisam Hussein, ENC Academic Council Member and Associate Professor of Political Science at Cairo University.

In recent years, there has been a significant transformation in the landscape of terrorism within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Once known for being a focal point of militant Islamist groups and their activities, the region is now witnessing a decline in terrorism incidents. One contributing factor to this decline is the proactive approach taken by the European Union to counter terrorism in the region. In this ENC Analysis, Dr. Hussein elaborates on how the EU has effectively contributed to inhibiting militant Islamist activities by implementing measures that make it more challenging for militants to exploit the internet, while also initiating collaborative projects aimed at coordinating efforts with MENA countries to combat violent extremism effectively.

The full paper is available here.

ENC Analysis – International Relations amidst Disasters: Turkish-Greek Perceptions and Emotion Discourses in 1999 and 2023 Earthquakes

By Publications, Research

ENC Analysis – International Relations amidst Disasters: Turkish-Greek Perceptions and Emotion Discourses in 1999 and 2023 Earthquakes

The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released its new analysis on “Turkish-Greek Perceptions and Emotion Discourses in 1999 and 2023 Earthquakes”.

The article is written by Dr. Özlem Kayhan Pusane, Professor at the Department of International Relations at Işık University, and Dr. Aslı Ilgıt, ENC Academic Council Member and Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Cukurova University.

The concept of disaster diplomacy sheds light on how natural disasters can influence international relations. One of the examples studied in disaster diplomacy scholarship, the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey and Greece, sparked diplomatic engagement between the two nations, highlighting the growing recognition of disasters’ role in shaping global diplomacy. In this ENC analysis, the authors delve into the crucial role of emotions in shaping international relations post-disaster, focusing on Greek-Turkish relations in both the earthquakes of 1999 and 2023.

The full paper is available here.