Q&A with Jonathan Holslag

Q: Vanshika Thakur, Blogger of The Real Rectitude

A: Jonathan Holslag, Europe, Strategic Autonomy, and China

Q1: Has Europe already become dependent on the U.S., despite claims of strategic autonomy?

A: Europe remains heavily reliant on the U.S. for security guarantees, particularly under NATO. Strategic autonomy is aspirational but constrained by capabilities, political cohesion, and shared risk perceptions. True independence would require significant investments in defense and a stronger collective foreign policy identity.

Q2: Is China gaining influence in Europe through trade, investment, and infrastructure?A: China’s Belt and Road initiatives and investment strategies have indeed increased economic leverage in parts of Europe. The effect is uneven, with some countries embracing engagement and others wary of overdependence. Europe faces the challenge of balancing economic opportunity with strategic risk.

Q3: How do European nations reconcile economic cooperation with China and security concerns regarding the U.S.?

A: Policymakers must carefully calibrate engagement, ensuring that economic ties do not compromise security commitments. Diplomacy often involves compartmentalization: separating economic cooperation from defense strategy. It’s a pragmatic, if sometimes uneasy, balancing act.

Q4: How significant is Europe’s internal cohesion in projecting international influence?A: Cohesion is essential; fragmented policy reduces credibility and strategic impact. Unified positions in diplomacy, trade, and security amplify Europe’s voice, while division invites exploitation. The EU’s institutional frameworks help, but national interests often complicate consistency.

Q5: Can Europe realistically act as a global power without fully militarizing or aligning more closely with the U.S.?

A: Europe can influence global affairs through soft power, regulatory reach, and economic weight, but hard security remains a challenge. Military capability and rapid decision-making are critical for credibility. Without these, Europe’s influence is significant but limited in coercive contexts.

Closing Q: Is a multipolar world favorable or destabilizing for Europe?

A: Multipolarity provides Europe with opportunities to diversify partnerships and reduce over-reliance on any single power. At the same time, it introduces uncertainty and potential for conflict escalation. European strategy must navigate this carefully to protect interests while shaping a stable order.