Martin Sandbu recounts Europe’s rude geopolitical awakening. For decades, Europeans assumed economic interdependence would guarantee peace and mutual restraint. That illusion shattered when Vladimir Putin weaponised gas supplies and, later, when Donald Trump threatened punitive tariffs. Europe suddenly realised how exposed it was to foreign chokepoints in energy, technology and defence. The initial response has focused on resilience and strategic autonomy. Sandbu argues this defensive posture is insufficient. Europe also controls critical chokepoints, notably advanced semiconductor equipment produced by ASML. To secure its interests, he concludes, the EU must be willing not only to protect itself but to weaponise its own leverage.
moldyhomme_neuf_neuf on
Obviously Europe should do this if necessary, but what’s wrong with just enjoying all of the money fleeing the US stock market pouring into ours while we watch all of our adversaries kneecapping themselves in devastating ways?
In a way, all Europe really needs to do is quietly pursue strategic autonomy, stability, and foster a better environment for business. All of which it’s doing right now.
Those chokepoints should only be used to prevent something horrific. Like the US actually taking over Greenland for real this time.
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Martin Sandbu recounts Europe’s rude geopolitical awakening. For decades, Europeans assumed economic interdependence would guarantee peace and mutual restraint. That illusion shattered when Vladimir Putin weaponised gas supplies and, later, when Donald Trump threatened punitive tariffs. Europe suddenly realised how exposed it was to foreign chokepoints in energy, technology and defence. The initial response has focused on resilience and strategic autonomy. Sandbu argues this defensive posture is insufficient. Europe also controls critical chokepoints, notably advanced semiconductor equipment produced by ASML. To secure its interests, he concludes, the EU must be willing not only to protect itself but to weaponise its own leverage.
Obviously Europe should do this if necessary, but what’s wrong with just enjoying all of the money fleeing the US stock market pouring into ours while we watch all of our adversaries kneecapping themselves in devastating ways?
In a way, all Europe really needs to do is quietly pursue strategic autonomy, stability, and foster a better environment for business. All of which it’s doing right now.
Those chokepoints should only be used to prevent something horrific. Like the US actually taking over Greenland for real this time.