Five years after President Ursula van der Leyen announced the buildup of a “geopolitical commission”, the context has dramatically changed with Europe facing two wars in its immediate neighbourhood. In light of current conflicts, such as the war in Gaza and Ukraine, what kind of geopolitical actor does Europe want to be? Joined by Frans Timmermans, Tom Middendorp and Nathalie Tocci we investigate what a more Geopolitical Europe would mean and entail.

For the past two years, Europe has had to respond to the invasion of one of its immediate neighbours – Ukraine. Although blindsided, European leaders were able to react with measures which would have been unthinkable a few years before. Despite these groundbreaking steps, Europe’s ability to make an impact in the field, militarily or diplomatically, is being questioned. Can Europeans agree on a common narrative when confronted with conflicts of this magnitude? Can Europe speak the language of power while ensuring Rule of Law and democracy within its borders?

In the Face of War — European Dialogue
“In the Face of War – European Dialogue” is initiated by Institut Français and organised in partnership with De Balie, Institut français NL, Arte, Ouest France, Le Grand Continent, and the European Cultural Foundation. The project aims to foster dialogue and debate surrounding the upheavals in Europe instigated by the war in Ukraine. Following a project launch in Prague, and a second edition in autumn 2023, five events will be held during the course of 2024, in Warsaw, Sofia, Helsinki, Amsterdam and Rennes, with others to follow in 2025.

https://debalie.nl/programma/europea...