ISSUE 8 ¦ 30TH JANUARY 2023 ¦ VOLUME 26
A PICTURE AND A THOUSAND WORDS THE ROLEPLAY COMMUNITY ON INSTAGRAM
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EUROPE’S NEW POLITICAL PATHWAY IN AN ERA OF CRISES
WRITES JAMES KEMMY | NEWS EDITOR Defined by a series of extraordinary developments, the years since the last European Parliament election have witnessed mammoth levels of political upheaval, ranging from a pandemicinduced economic emergency to the eruption of Europe’s first conflict in over thirty years. With the 2024 vote on the not-too-distant horizon, political responses to shock in the energy sector and accelerating climate breakdown will likely further influence outcomes. Looking at the major issues facing the continent today, the EU’s advancing
role the EU’s advancing role and unique institutional capacity is plainly demonstrated.
Geopolitical resolve On a foreign policy level firstly, the early 2020s have seen a major step up from the EU in its approach and remit. Most pressing is the response to Russian aggression and the potent decision-making seen in assisting the Ukrainian effort. Since Putin’s invasion of the Eastern state almost one year ago, Europe has acted with unforeseen
vigour and urgency, designing devastating sanction packages and delivering weapons in an emergency context. These actions illustrate a new security paradigm, with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell announcing the “birth of a geopolitical Europe'' in an emergency session of the European Parliament in March last year. What is most notable here is that the evolution of the EU’s security role has taken place in an environment contradictory to its fundamental vision. At its core, the European project is
rooted in a rules-based brand of liberal institutionalism, but Russian aggression, alongside wider geopolitical discord, has taken place in an intensifying atmosphere of Realpolitik endeavours. That the EU has mustered the decisiveness and conviction to take on great power forces and abate such empire-building crusades is impressive. The Ukraine example ultimately implies a more prominent security role for Europe on a global scale and will likely heighten expectations for security intervention in future conflicts.
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