"If Europe is as serious about preventing Ukraine’s defeat as it now appears to be, a coordinated long-term strategy will do more to help Kyiv...than its current practice of lurching from one aid package to another."
Read the latest from @sophiabesch.bsky.social 🔽
New piece out this morning:
New @foreignaffairs.com piece out today with Eric Ciaramella on the future of Fortress Ukraine. Gift link here: www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/fort...
Thank you, that’s very kind. I found your analysis on Europe‘s options extremely helpful. www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
That’s very kind, thank you
Leestip voor de zondag: @sophiabesch.bsky.social
bespreekt in haar paper wat Europa kan doen om de afhankelijkheid van VS te beperken qua defensie, waarbij EU/NAVO vooral faciliterende rol heeft en verder alles in blokken wordt uitgevoerd.
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
Sobering analysis of transatlantic woes by @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @jyshapiro.bsky.social and some sage advice re alternatives. But, do European status-quo elites have the courage to face, let alone abandon, an abusive relationship?
"Europe’s biggest underpriced risk is financial dependence on the United States" I argue for @carnegieeurope.bsky.social.
Great set of 'blind spots' with @cerianbond.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social @dimitarh.bsky.social @jakubjanda.bsky.social @alanderminna.bsky.social and more
🆕 | The debate on European nuclear deterrence has intensified, with NATO allies balancing three key aims.
They will need to cooperate more deeply to craft a coherent strategy for confronting new threats, argue @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @jamiekwong.bsky.social.
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
New from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and myself: internationalepolitik.de/de/wer-trump...
It was great to sit down with @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @dannbaer to discuss the state of things. Watch this space as more will come!
Subsea cables carry 95% of the world’s data but are largely invisible in global policy debates. @ibkardon.bsky.social, Jane Munga, and @sophiabesch.bsky.social discuss the geopolitics, economics, and risks surrounding undersea data infrastructure on #TheWorldUnpacked: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJIq...
🎯discussion on European security today @sophiabesch.bsky.social w/ unvarnished truth on the 🇺🇸 view of Europe @nathalietocci.bsky.social novel/provocative points & @georginaewright.bsky.social's advice: every ally needs its own PA strategy for more defense spending
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Izb...
same. endless toxic relationship material.
I’m fine. I've always preferred marriage analogies.
On Tuesday, global leaders will converge on the Hague for the NATO summit
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @georginaewright.bsky.social
After years framing the transatlantic defense relationship in parental terms ("kicking the teen out of the basement") none of you get to complain about "daddy" now.
I very much enjoyed taking part in this event on Gaullist strategic thinking and current debates over European strategic autonomy at the French embassy with the great Julian Jackson and the terrific Léonie Allard, @sophiabesch.bsky.social @michaelshurkin.bsky.social and Aaron MacLean (1/2)
No easy way out on Europe’s nuclear dilemmas, yet plenty to do, @claudmajor.bsky.social & I conclude. Are we too hopeful & unambitious? Tell us! Thanks to @constelz.bsky.social @brookings.edu for the initiative & opportunity. Look also at the great papers by @sophiabesch.bsky.social & Thomas Wright.
Next week's NATO summit comes at a critical moment
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social, @georginaewright.bsky.social & @anandmenon.bsky.social
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Es ist gut, dass die deutsche Politik plötzlich deutliche Worte zur israelischen Kriegsführung in Gaza findet. Diesen Worten müssen Taten folgen. Die bisherige deutsche Politik ist das Gegenteil einer interessengeleiteten Außenpolitik. Mit drei @prif.org-Kolleginnen:👉 blog.prif.org/2025/05/28/k...
“The two main alliances of European states, the European Union and NATO, are too often paralyzed,” write @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social. To prepare for a new, more challenging era, Europe must embrace a different regional order.
Finally, SAFE - the €150bn loan initiative for defence - is not mentioned in the SDP itself, but in the agenda for future EU-UK relations.
The SDP as such will enable the UK to participate in EU common procurement, whereas a future, deeper agreement will be required for UK defence industry.
Thank you!
Great piece from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social on the limitations of coalitions of the willing and the need for a new—institutionalized yet flexible—format for intra-European cooperation.
bit.ly/3RSsqwg
What does yesterday's drama mean for Merz's chancellery? What to expect on Ukraine, USA, EU, China, Defense? Can he deliver on Zeitenwende? New piece for @foreignpolicy.com with @lianafix.bsky.social
- Gift link: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/07/f...
This is an ambitious and interesting proposal for a new order of cooperation in Europe, especially on security and defense, from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and Richard Young.
Thank you!!
Brilliant piece by @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social - sums up basically everything about the tectonic shifts and cooperation in the European security order.
