
Follow the Money: The Podcast The hidden U.S. influence on Europe’s policymaking
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Dec 10, 2025 Salsabil Fayed, an investigative reporter, and Alistair Keepe, co-author of a revealing investigation, uncover how U.S. funding shapes European policymaking through influential Brussels think tanks. They discuss the surprising fact that a third of these think tanks' funding comes from American sources, raising concerns about bias and influence. The duo shares insights on the hybrid nature of think tanks, the implications of political shifts for funding perceptions, and the need for greater transparency to protect the integrity of policy discussions.
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Mapping Think Tanks Through Public Records
- The reporters compiled a database by extracting think tanks from the EU transparency register and analysing meetings, media presence, staff and budgets.
- They cross-checked financial reports, websites and board ties to map influence networks.
US Funding Dominates Brussels Think Tanks
- The investigation found a significant share of funding for Brussels think tanks comes from US sources, shaping the local idea marketplace.
- U.S. organizations and corporations occupy a large space in debates that influence EU policy.
EP C Declined A Funder's DEI Demand
- Salsabil recounts a European Policy Centre case where a funder pressured them to scale back DEI programs and the centre refused.
- This example shows U.S. political shifts can carry conditional demands to European institutions.
