Three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and European security has been shaken to its core, especially since Donald Trump returned to the White House. Europeans are coming to terms with a radically new geopolitical reality, that requires both strategic autonomy and strategic alliances. Facing the urgency of bringing sustainable peace to the continent, Europe is ramping up defence spending and rethinking its entire security paradigm. This session will ask what peacetime processes need to be adjusted to forge a credible and effective European defence framework? How can a new approach to defence policy and planning, as well as intelligence alliances, look like both nationally and collaboratively within NATO and EU frameworks? And how can European decision-makers shore up the support needed across the political spectrum and among the public for the reforms and investments required to boost European security?

As America steps back from its traditional transatlantic role and global competition for geoeconomic influence heats up, the world—and Europe in particular—must navigate a rapidly fragmenting economic order. But with disruption comes opportunity. This panel will explore how Europe can seize the moment to forge stronger, more resilient alliances with like-minded partners. With the EU’s vast internal market, financial reserves, and technological jewels, Europe holds powerful tools of influence. Yet to build truly effective coalitions, it must also move beyond its comfort zone—taking seriously the interests and agency of partners across the global south and beyond. Ultimately this session will ask what it will take for Europe to be seen not just as a player, but as a credible, responsive ally in a world where power is increasingly contested? 

The re-election of Donald Trump led to a swift alignment of business and politics, with Big Tech companies promoting MAGA-aligned narratives in Europe, while simultaneously looking to advance business interests aggressively. In this context, the EU regulatory framework which protects from disinformation and hate speech, as well as from unfair market practices in the digital sector has come under fire either as “institutionalized censorship” or hidden and unfair tariffs. This panel will explore how and if the EU is able to protect its democratic processes, including elections, and the rule of law, from the divisive and abusive approaches emanating from the alliance of Big Tech and MAGA politics in the United States.