NATO Reset: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Europe to take the lead and help reboot NATO into “NATO 3.0,” after Washington signaled it may stop supplying certain warships and aircraft if allies are attacked. EU Security Gap: Europe is scrambling to replace U.S.-backed capabilities as NATO’s future force planning shifts from shared deployment to European responsibility. Ukraine & EU Budget: EU leaders in Brussels will tackle Ukraine support, China shock and the next €2 trillion long-term budget, with Zelenskyy joining talks. China Strategy: Leaders are set to frame the China challenge as “global macroeconomic imbalances,” while debating tougher trade tools and a level playing field. Migration Crackdown: The European Parliament backed tougher return rules, including “return hubs” and wider detention powers, despite sharp human-rights criticism. AI Sovereignty Clash: The EU is reacting to U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI models, with von der Leyen calling for strong EU-U.S. AI partnership while pushing faster European capability-building. Energy Routes After Hormuz: With the Strait of Hormuz reopening after a U.S.-Iran interim deal, Europe is still planning alternative trade and energy corridors such as IMEC to reduce future disruption risk. Health & Social Policy: A Movember report says Ireland’s paternity leave support is among the lowest in the EU, with many fathers facing financial strain. Drug Safety: The EU Drugs Agency warns synthetic opioids are multiplying fast, with new substances detected weekly and “orphine” opioids linked to multiple deaths. EU External Action: The EU pledged about €493m for Ebola response in the Great Lakes region and Uganda.