The European Union (EU) has a number of different powers in its toolbox. One of these policies lies at the core of the EU's external competences – the common commercial policy (CCP) or common trade policy. This enables the EU to 'speak as one voice' in multilateral bodies and with third parties. The CCP, which has become stronger over the years, has developed into one of the bloc's key international projection levers. However, the EU's place and role in globalization are today being shaken chiefly by three major political factors: the rise of new powers, the United States (US)' neo-mercantilist policies, and political divisions within the EU. Together, these three external and internal factors may be hastening a crisis for the EU. This raises the question: to what extent can the bloc influence its own destiny during this stormy period? European union, international actor, common commercial policy, global trade, internal divisions, neomercantilism, diffusion of power
As has been the trend in recent years, 2017 was characterized by significant changes in international politics, highlighting the growing complexity of the world we live in. Reflections on major developments can be found in the contributions to this year's "Strategic Trends 2018". In the first chapter, Jack Thompson looks at the new foreign policy of the US under President Trump. In his view, the US will remain the most important player in global affairs, but is struggling to adapt to the evolution of the international system and will be more vulnerable than ever to changes in the geopolitical landscape. Managing relations with Russia and China will be among the main challenges that the West will face in the coming years. Brian Carlson therefore examines the China-Russia relationship and its effects on world politics. China is also an important factor in Severin Fischer's chapter on the impacts of technological change in the energy sector. In his view, China will be the dominant player in the world of new and clean technologies, notably solar and batteries. This could be good for development goals and limiting global warming, but not necessarily for the influence of the Western world in other regions. Within this changing international system, calls for improving national resilience across different sectors in states and economies are becoming louder. Tim Prior's chapter examines the growing focus on resilience in Western security policy, particularly with respect to deterring asymmetric threats. ; ISSN:1664-0667
THE 1948 UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPRESENTED A FUNDAMENTAL CHALLENGE TO THE SUPPRESSION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BY SOVEREIGN STATES, BUT ITS APPLICATION WAS FRUSTRATED BY THE COLD WAR. TODAY, RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION REMAINS EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD AND SERIOUS, BUT A GROWING OPPOSITION TO IT IS STRENGTHENING THE HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT. THIS TREND IS BEING OFFSET BY SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING CORPORATE OPPOSITION TO STRONG HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION, WHICH IS IMPEDING THE MOVEMENT TO HOLD ABUSIVE GOVERNMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTS.
Strategic Trends 2021 offers a concise analysis of major developments in world affairs, with a primary focus on international security. In the first chapter, Brian G. Carlson analyzes China-Russia relations and the impact on Asian security. In the second chapter Dominika Kunertova explains how hypersonic technology has become a political tool in great-power competition among the United States, China, and Russia. In the third chapter, Névine Schepers argues that Russia's war in Ukraine significantly complicates nuclear arms control efforts while also underlining their necessity given heightened risks of nuclear escalation. In the final chapter, Boas Lieberherr and Linda Maduz analyze the emerging concept of the Indo-Pacific, in particular with regard to its strategic implications. ; Strategic Trends 2022 bietet eine Analyse wichtiger weltpolitischer Entwicklungen, wobei Fragen der internationalen Sicherheit im Zentrum stehen. Im ersten Kapitel analysiert Brian G. Carlson die Beziehungen zwischen China und Russland und die Auswirkungen auf die Sicherheit Asiens. Im zweiten Kapitel erklärt Dominika Kunertova, wie die Hyperschalltechnologie zu einem politischen Instrument im Grossmächtewettbewerb zwischen den USA, China und Russland geworden ist. Im dritten Kapitel argumentiert Névine Schepers, dass Russlands Krieg in der Ukraine die nuklearen Rüstungskontrollbemühungen erheblich erschwert, und unterstreicht gleichzeitig deren Notwendigkeit angesichts des erhöhten Risikos einer nuklearen Eskalation. Im letzten Kapitel analysieren Boas Lieberherr und Linda Maduz das aufkommende Konzept des Indopazifiks, insbesondere im Hinblick auf dessen strategische Implikationen. ; ISSN:1664-0667
The European Union (EU) has a number of different powers in its toolbox. One of these policies lies at the core of the EU's external competences – the common commercial policy (CCP) or common trade policy. This enables the EU to 'speak as one voice' in multilateral bodies and with third parties. The CCP, which has become stronger over the years, has developed into one of the bloc's key international projection levers. However, the EU's place and role in globalization are today being shaken chiefly by three major political factors: the rise of new powers, the United States (US)' neo-mercantilist policies, and political divisions within the EU. Together, these three external and internal factors may be hastening a crisis for the EU. This raises the question: to what extent can the bloc influence its own destiny during this stormy period? ; Peer reviewed
Strategic Trends 2019 offers a concise analysis of major developments in world affairs, with a focus on international security. In the first chapter, Jack Thompson considers the consequences of the Trump administration's new approach to trade policy. In his view, the United States is powerful enough to extract trade concessions from all of its trading partners, and there may be some short-term advantages in following such a course of action. In the second chapter, Michael Haas examines the shift between the West and non-Western states in the field of defense technologies. He argues that Western policymakers should act on several fronts to slow the process, while also adapting to a world in which they no longer enjoy substantial military-technological superiority. In chapter three, Jeronim Perović considers the emergence of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a surprisingly robust multilateral organization of post-Soviet states, which is not a Russian puppet, and which cooperates in economic, political, and military matters. Finally, in chapter four, Lisa Watanabe looks as Russia's re-emergence as a power broker in the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on countries of particular interest to Europe when it comes to security issues, economic ties, and immigration. ; Strategic Trends 2019 bietet eine Analyse wichtiger weltpolitischer Entwicklungen, wobei Fragen der internationalen Sicherheit im Zentrum stehen. Im ersten Kapitel analysiert Jack Thompson die Folgen der neuen US-Handelspolitik. Er stellt fest, dass protektionistische Massnahmen zwar kurzfristig Vorteile bringen können, langfristig allerdings das regelbasierte Handelssystem der WTO untergraben werden. Im zweiten Kapitel untersucht Michael Haas die Verschiebungen zwischen dem Westen und nicht-westlichen Staaten im Bereich Militärtechnologie. Die Politik des Westens sollte versuchen, diesen Prozess zu verlangsamen und sich gleichzeitig an eine Welt anzupassen, in der der Westen militärtechnisch nicht mehr überlegen ist. In Kapitel drei untersucht Jeronim Perović die Entstehung der Eurasischen Wirtschaftsunion (EAEU). Die Führungsrolle innerhalb der EAEU, so Perović, ist ein Eckpfeiler der Strategie Russlands, sich als Grossmacht in Eurasien zu positionieren und im Umgang mit den Vereinigten Staaten und Europa mehr Einfluss zu gewinnen. Im letzten Kapitel analysiert Lisa Watanabe den Wiederaufstieg Russlands als Machtvermittler im Nahen Osten und in Nordafrika. Ein verstärkter Einfluss in dieser Schlüsselregion dient Russland dazu, seinen Status als Grossmacht zu festigen. ; ISSN:1664-0667
In 2016, events such as "Brexit" and the election of Donald Trump in the US have shocked the liberal system, not only because of their specific impact on European and global order, but also because of the sudden speed with which these fundamental changes are occurring. The four chapters of "Strategic Trends 2017" offer early, but informed analyses on the current state and future direction of a very fluid Euro-Atlantic security system. While the foci of the chapters vary and address today's security challenges from various perspectives – from the OSCE world, Trump's America, European defense onto NATO – there are some common themes. While analyzing current trends, all authors emphasize historical processes and old problems that have been gestating for years. This is why the impact on the security policies of European states, of NATO and the EU has been so immense: discussions about marginal modifications of the existing architecture are no longer sufficient. ; ISSN:1664-0667
Strategic Trends 2021 offers a concise analysis of major developments in world affairs, with a primary focus on international security. In the first chapter, Brian G. Carlson explores the impact of the China-Russia relationship on transatlantic security. In the second chapter, Julian Kamasa assesses the potential for security cooperation among France, Germany, and Britain in the E3 and other formats following Brexit. In the third chapter, Niklas Masuhr analyzes Turkey's recent military interventions. He notes the limited success of them and their reliance on Russia's acquiescence in them. In the fourth chapter, Lisa Watanabe describes how the US retreat from the Middle East has allowed other powers, especially Russia and China, to strengthen their involvement in the region. In the final chapter, Linda Maduz analyzes the responses by Japan and South Korea to China's rise and to concerns about continued US engagement in Asia. ; Strategic Trends 2021 bietet eine Analyse wichtiger weltpolitischer Entwicklungen, wobei Fragen der internationalen Sicherheit im Zentrum stehen. Im ersten Kapitel untersucht Brian G. Carlson die Auswirkungen der Beziehungen zwischen China und Russland auf die transatlantische Sicherheit. Im zweiten Kapitel bewertet Julian Kamasa das Potenzial für eine Sicherheitskooperation zwischen Frankreich, Deutschland und Grossbritannien in der E3 und anderen Formaten nach dem Brexit. Im dritten Kapitel analysiert Niklas Masuhr die jüngsten militärischen Interventionen der Türkei. Er weist auf ihren begrenzten Erfolg und ihre Abhängigkeit von der Zustimmung Russlands hin. Im vierten Kapitel beschreibt Lisa Watanabe, wie der Rückzug der USA aus dem Nahen Osten es anderen Mächten, insbesondere Russland und China, ermöglicht hat, ihr Engagement in der Region zu verstärken. Im letzten Kapitel analysiert Linda Maduz die Reaktionen Japans und Südkoreas auf Chinas Aufstieg und auf Bedenken hinsichtlich des anhaltenden Engagements der USA in Asien. ; ISSN:1664-0667
