Security Shockwaves: Between Principle and Power
Security reliance on Washington, pragmatic member state diplomacy, and cautious China cooperation define a week of constrained but consequential choices.
Dear Readers of Eurasia Dispatch,
Welcome to the latest issue of the newsletter! As always, there is a lot to unpack, so let’s get down to business.
This week, Eurasia Dispatch covers:
Institutions
Member states
Business
Commentary
INSTITUTIONS
EU urges restraint after U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran
European leaders have reacted with concern to developments in West Asia after joint US–Israeli air strikes on Iran, warning that the escalation risks destabilising an already fragile region. In a joint statement, the European Commission and European Council described the situation as “greatly concerning” and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to regional security and stability.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the strikes an “outbreak of war” with serious consequences for international peace, and said Paris would seek an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa urged all sides to show maximum restraint, protect civilians, and uphold international law.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the situation as perilous, citing concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes while stressing the need to safeguard humanitarian norms.
The Eurasia Dispatch Take: Violence begets violence. Escalation was predictably followed by retaliation. The consequences are plentiful, including military operations targeting European assets in Cyprus. European leaders rushed to criticise Tehran, but remained mostly silent about Washington’s actions, except for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
The restraint reflects a hard reality: Europe remains heavily reliant on the U.S. security umbrella and Washington’s leverage in efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. Until European defence capabilities match political ambitions, the continent’s room for manoeuvre will remain constrained.
The fallout also has implications for China. In recent months, upheaval has affected two major oil suppliers to Beijing. Iran was among China’s top crude oil suppliers last year. Any disruption adds pressure to China’s energy security, just weeks before a planned summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
MEMBER STATES
Ireland embraces pragmatism in China engagement
A new analysis drew attention to recent interactions between Ireland and China, highlighting the former’s pragmatic approach to a relationship that has proved resilient amid mounting geopolitical strain. China is Ireland’s largest trading partner in Asia, with ties spanning pharmaceuticals, medical technology, aircraft leasing, and digital services.
During the recent visit to China by Prime Minister Micheal Martin, talks ranged from trade and investment to green technology, education, and tourism, reflecting a broad and practical agenda. A key outcome was the lifting of China’s ban on Irish beef, imposed in 2024 after a bovine disease outbreak.
As Ireland prepares to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union, it is likely to favour a selective economic approach to China over broad protectionism.
The Eurasia Dispatch Take: In an increasingly unsettled global environment, Dublin’s focus on dialogue, proportionality, and practical solutions could provide a stabilising influence. It is also in line with what Chinese state media calls a “pragmatic shift” in EU-China relations. This middle course avoids the extremes seen elsewhere in Europe. It differs from Hungary’s overtly supportive stance towards China in pursuit of investment, while also stopping short of the sharper rhetoric from countries such as France and Germany on correcting trade imbalances.
By combining engagement with measured caution, Ireland’s approach may offer a workable template for managing differences without escalating tensions. At a time when trust is fragile and economic ties are under scrutiny, such a balance could help create the space needed for EU–China relations to evolve in a more stable and constructive direction.
BUSINESS
EU tightens checks on Chinese ingredient after infant formula scare
The European Commission has imposed stricter controls on imports of arachidonic acid oil from China following a contamination scare that led to global recalls of baby formula.
Since December, manufacturers including Nestle, Lactalis, and Danone have withdrawn products in around 60 countries after tests detected cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus. The substance can cause acute gastrointestinal illness and poses particular risks to infants.
According to Brussels, alerts filed through the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed linked the contamination to batches of arachidonic acid oil used in formula production. Member states backed emergency measures requiring consignments to undergo border checks and to be accompanied by laboratory results certifying the absence of the toxin.
The Eurasia Dispatch Take: This move should not be conflated with the EU’s trade defence instruments, such as anti-dumping or anti-subsidy tariffs. Those measures are designed to counter unfair pricing, shield domestic industries, and rebalance competition. By contrast, the latest restrictions are rooted in food safety concerns.
As such, they are regulatory rather than protectionist in nature. The objective is to safeguard public health, particularly that of infants, rather than to limit market access for competitive reasons. That distinction matters politically. Food safety controls are less likely to escalate into broader trade disputes or become symbolic flashpoints in EU–China relations, unlike the more contentious tariffs imposed on sectors such as electric vehicles.
COMMENTARY
Europe weighs China science ties amid transatlantic strains
Chinese science envoys are stepping up outreach in Brussels, arguing that Europe should rebalance towards China as tensions with the United States unsettle transatlantic ties. The debate intensified after President Donald Trump floated the idea of seizing Greenland, prompting fresh reflection in Europe about overreliance on Washington in research and technology.
Recent months have seen tentative signs of renewed engagement. The Technical University of Munich expanded cooperation with Tsinghua University, while German delegations have explored partnerships in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Chancellor Friedrich Merz also recently visited Hangzhou, China’s technology hub.
Yet any pivot would mark a sharp turn after years of EU “de-risking”, including curbs on Chinese participation in Horizon Europe. Concerns persist over intellectual property protection, uneven market access, and China’s links to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Many policymakers argue Europe should diversify towards middle powers such as India and Japan, rather than swing between Washington and Beijing.
The Eurasia Dispatch Take: Europe stands to gain from deeper engagement with China in science and technology. China is a leading global innovator, with significant advances across fields ranging from artificial intelligence to clean energy. Working with such a major player could strengthen Europe’s research base and industrial competitiveness.
Broadening cooperation would also help the EU diversify its partnerships and signal a degree of strategic autonomy from the United States. In an increasingly fragmented global landscape, reducing overdependence on any single partner carries clear advantages.
That said, engagement must be carefully structured. Clear guardrails are needed to protect intellectual property, manage security risks, and ensure reciprocity. A balanced framework would allow both sides to benefit from collaboration without undermining core economic or strategic interests.
BEFORE YOU GO
Regional security developments, European states’ pragmatic turn in their engagement with China, and Europe-China science and technology ties have shaped the Eurasian discourse over the past weeks. Developments on these fronts will reverberate across global politics, trade, and defence. If you are interested in how these processes evolve, stay tuned for further updates in the next issue of Eurasia Dispatch! Thank you for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share your insights and feedback.
Until next time,
Eurasia Dispatch
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