Reviewing EU Strategic Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World Order

SummaryStrategic foreign policy is what the EU must master in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century. In doing so, it must strive for the ability to act in all areas and not just primarily on the civilian side of sustainable development. Beyond building peace, it must face adversity and at the same time cultivate strategic cooperation in a multipolar world with increasing rivalry between the great powers. At the same time, failed states, famine and climate change will continue to put pressure on foreign policy makers, while technological revolutions and globalisation are potentially upending societies, restructuring business models, entire economies and trade patterns. The so-called "commons" - the ocean, big data, cyber and outer space - also offer not only opportunities but are key areas of competition. All of this requires a strategic approach from the EU: and judging by the competition, it is late to join the race, which is already well advanced. Ultimately, it is about protecting human rights, fair access to resources and opportunities, and the viability of our planet's ecosystem: Europeans must act collectively and strategically to avoid being mere spectators to events that are by no means guaranteed to unfold in their favour - or even that of humanity as a whole.

The strategic mindset required for this is developed along the lines of a review of the recently published book by Hans-Dieter Heumann, "Strategische Diplomatie - Europas Chance in der multipolaren Welt" (Ferdinand Schöningh, Paderborn, 2020). The experienced diplomat's suggestions and analyses are supplemented by a brief overview of key areas of great power competition that the EU must deal with, or at least come to terms with, in the multipolar world of the 21st century.

The article itself is in English language and can be viewed under this link in the European journal "The Defence Horizon":

Reviewing EU Strategic Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World Order (thedefencehorizon.org)

https://www.thedefencehorizon.org/post/reviewing-eu-strategic-foreign-policy-in-a-multipolar-world-order

Photo: Marine Nationale (title), German Navy (author)