Europe’s Geostrategic Awakening
Decades of US protection created a false sense of normative superiority in the EU. It also made Europe lose much of its strategic instincts while facing deep-seated systemic deficiencies. Overcoming those will be the key task for 2024 and beyond.
Europe’s Geostrategic Turn
2024 should be the year that sees both Brussels and Berlin start merging geopolitics with strategic thinking.
Visible Democracy
The EU’s consensus-driven stumble toward choosing institutional leaders is more democratic than the alternatives.
The Future of the Zeitenwende: Scenario 1—China Attacks Taiwan
The United States is already doing much to be prepared in the case of a Chinese invasion of the island. Germany and Europe need to do their bit, especially by supporting Ukraine.
The Future of the Zeitenwende: A Team Power Strategy for Germany
Berlin needs international partners for a successful foreign and security policy. Unfortunately, Germany hasn’t really understood yet what it takes to be a “team power”: five rules to see it win the day.
The Future of the Zeitenwende: The Missing Paradigm Shift
German foreign policy is still to leave its path dependency behind. It’s high time for Berlin to get more serious.
Europe’s Geopolitical Coming of Age Requires Greater Defense Efforts
The real benchmark for Europe turning into a geopolitical actor is its ability to militarily deter Russia and China. It is very far from reaching it.
Will Deadlock over Ukraine Kill the EU Enlargement Momentum?
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wants to postpone Ukraine’s accession talks and accelerate those of the Balkan candidates. In fact, he might slow down EU enlargement in general, which was only recently revived and which Hungary strongly supports.
Macron’s Shaky Search for Balance and Peace in the Middle East
The French president is performing a balancing act between showing loyalty to Israel and attempting to revive the Palestinian cause. His efforts are in line with France’s traditional policy toward the region.
Overcoming Geopolitical Enlargement Anxiety
Widening the European Union is now considered a “geopolitical necessity.” To succeed, however, the EU needs to escape the fears that have kept it stuck in a credibility trap.
Germany’s “Plumbers of Power” Lack Far-Sightedness
Just before passing its halfway mark, the coalition government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been hitting the financial buffers. Sadly, a general fiscal rethink is unlikely.
When Is an Extremist Not an Extremist?
The alignment of the mainstream right with the alt- or far-right has been taking place incrementally over the past decade.