European strategy in the 21st century: new future for old power

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the European Union's foreign policy and security strategy. Addressing a crucial gap in the study of the future of Europe, Sven Biscop poses the following research question: ‘Has Europe, the old power, forgotten what power is?’ Presenting a new theoretical narrative about the global role of the European Union, this book allows readers to understand and explain how the future strategy of the bloc should be shaped. It makes a substantial contribution by encouraging new thinking about the EU's global role and by advancing scientific research on strategy. An international security order with multiple centres of power creates a higher risk of conflict; thus, for the EU, defining a strategy becomes a premise for systemic resilience. Quoting the former president of the European Commission Jacques Delors, Sven Biscop argues that European humanitarian aid policy should not be mistaken for its foreign policy (p. 3). Defining both the ontological relationship between values and geopolitics and a long-term vision for international peace and security is essential for conceptualizing a future strategy for Europe and the European Union. Who and where is Europe, what can Europe do and what does Europe want?