The rise of Islamist groups in the European Union’s Southern Neighbourhood is well-documented. What other challenges to European interests are starting to emerge? How is China extending its logistical and economic reach into the region? And what impact might that have?
The Group on Grand Strategy publishes the fifth in its series of Strategic Snapshots, entitled: ‘Syria: a responsibility to protect? The “just case” versus the “valid case”’. This snapshot looks the Responsibility to Protect in relations to Syria, and argues that the European Union should be stronger in its political leadership and more willing to use its power to ensure an orderly and well-governed neighbourhood.
How does the Atlantic Alliance’s New Strategic Concept relate to the European Union, particularly the Common Security and Defence Policy? Is the New Strategic Concept already out-of-date? What needs to be done before the European Union and the United States – through the Atlantic Alliance – can work together more effectively?
Does the old formation within the Atlantic Alliance now stand in the way of the West’s collective power? Why does the United States now need Europeans to invest more into their armed forces? And does United States’ desire to lead now stand in the way of its own geostrategy?
On Friday, France and the United Kingdom made further steps to cement their alliance in changing world of the early twenty-first century. Is a neo-West taking shape, structured by the same anchors, but digging into different regions? How can the neo-West retain order in the wider world? And what is needed for that to happen?
Military Permanent Structured Co-operation under the aegis European Union has stalled. Is a bilateral version taking its place, under the agreements reached between France and the United Kingdom in 2010? Where might it lead?
The Americans and Europeans are starting to draw down their operations in Afghanistan, after a decade of often intense operations. How might this recalibration of forces be part of a wider geopolitical transformation? How should European respond?
It is often forgotten that deterrence is the ultimate objective of armed force. But Europeans seem to have forgotten how to deploy it. Why does Brussels need a fly swat? And how should that swat be used?
The Group on Grand Strategy publishes today its fourth ‘Strategic Snapshot’, entitled ‘How to bridge the “three islands”: The future of European military co-operation’. This snapshot delves into the world of European military integration, particularly co-operation between the Nordic states, the British and French and the Central European countries.
Why won’t the United Kingdom accept German leadership of the European Union? What will Britain do to prevent German primacy? What might the implications be? And how can Britain contribute to a stronger Europe?