1st of September 2021, at 16.00-17.15 (EEST)
The United States and the international order it has traditionally propped up have faced tumultuous times in recent years. The Covid-19 pandemic is still causing disruptions around the world and the climate crisis is driving ever more destructive extreme weather events. The US, until recently the order’s putative leader, continues to grapple with the aftershocks of the Trump presidency both internally and in its foreign policy. Meanwhile, great-power competition is heating up in various theatres from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, not to mention in different domains, whether cyber, maritime or aerial. Against this backdrop, the 8th Helsinki Summer Session explores the future of international order at a time when the United States is debating and reassessing the parameters of its global engagement. This year’s panels bring together experts from the United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific to cover a wide range of themes, including transatlantic trade and security relations, the developing order in the Indo-Pacific, climate politics, as well as the role of the US in Nordic security.
Panel description:
European strategic autonomy is seen by some as a “generation’s goal” and by others as an “illusion”. Most policymakers and experts would agree that a more capable Europe on defence and foreign policy matters is a worthwhile pursuit. Nevertheless, when it comes to the choice of priorities, frameworks and partners, EU member state’s have diverging perspectives. Should the focus be on the development of autonomous capabilities for crisis management in the Southern neighbourhood, or should Europe rather invest in strengthening the transatlantic alliance, which remains vital for the deterrence efforts in the Baltic region? What role can the EU and NATO play in the future in the pursuit of these strategic interests? This panel brings together experts on the Baltic and Southern dimensions of European security as well as from the US in order to discuss how the strategic autonomy of the EU and its member states can be further developed.
The recording of the webinar is available at FIIA’s youtube-channel: