The significance of the EU's so-called Democracy Shield is overrated. It represents a humdrum development of policies, but the real game of defending democracy lies elsewhere, writes columnist Michael Meyer-Resende.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has no access to El Fasher in Darfur despite a proposed three-month humanitarian truce, and the recent massacre in the city by the Rapid Support Forces militia.

The EU Commission’s new Civil Society Strategy, promised by Ursula von der Leyen in 2024, aims to protect civic space, strengthen participation, and secure funding for NGOs. On paper, it sounds promising. But in practice, it is deeply undermined by the recent commission’s own actions.

EU states are struggling with upcoming border rules that critics say could led to detention-like centres. Under the new regime authorities will have only seven days to screen a prospective asylum seeker.

Today, we kick off an anniversary campaign to convince new supporting members to join EUobserver's mission of providing the information citizens need to safeguard EU democracy.

Russian spies are still active in the EU capital and have a "higher risk appetite" than before the Ukraine war — despite Belgium's efforts to push back against their plots.