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.

Over the past decade, Copenhagen has pioneered a conditional model of asylum that blends temporary protection, strict family reunification rules, and incentives for return. What began as a national experiment has, over time, become a reference point for governments across Europe, including the UK’s Labour government.

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.

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.