From Declarations to Practice? Institutional Constraints on Europe– IP4 Cooperation against Foreign Information Manipulation
From Declarations to Practice? Institutional Constraints on Europe– IP4 Cooperation against Foreign Information Manipulation

Summary/Abstract: This article explains why dense diplomatic commitments to cooperate against information manipulation have so far produced limited practical collaboration between Europe and key Indo-Pacific democracies. Focusing on the IP4 (Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand), it shows how EU–IP4 partnerships, G7 mechanisms, and a now stalled US agenda have generated extensive rhetorical alignment on counterinformation manipulation, while leaving operational cooperation still largely unaddressed. The analysis argues that this gap reflects enduring misalignments in institutional architectures, technical capacities, and political-bureaucratic cultures, rather than merely time lags or a lack of political will. Drawing on country case studies and Euro-Atlantic experience with centres of excellence, the article proposes a layered, research-driven approach that embeds counter-information manipulation in a broader strategic communications framework and privileges minilateral formats, especially among the IP4, as the most viable pathway from declaratory intent to durable, cross-regional practice.

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