THE EUROPEAN – SECURITY AND DEFENCE UNION
What the European Union has to realise in security and defence Interview with Moritz Brake, Kapitänleutnant and Lecturer for Maritime Security and Strategy, University of Bonn
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he European: Mr Brake, the European Union (EU) is currently facing adversity, geopolitical competition and a broad range of social, ecological, juridical and political challenges. Is the Union strong enough to master these challenges? Moritz Brake: The EU needs to act strategically and pragmatically to face increasing geopolitical rivalry in a multipolar world – but it also must remain true to its democratic value base, for it is the foundation of all its strength. The so-called “commons” – the sea, “big data”, cyber- and outer-space – do not just pose opportunities, they are key areas of competition in a world increasingly influenced by great-power rivalry. The European: What do we have to do to not just be mere bystanders of events? Moritz Brake: First of all, the EU has to muster the will to act. The forthcoming Strategic Compass of the Commission needs to be sufficiently concrete! Despite significant progress in some fields, the EU still lacks many of the necessary instruments that support its political leadership in carrying out a coherent grand strategy. To enable what Helmut Schmidt called ‘Gesamtstrategie’, a civilian-military staff is needed that considers all dimensions of foreign and domestic policy, integrating information on all strands of potential concern to our society in its strategic outlook and contingency-planning. Knowing what might threaten us, how we can prepare for risks and how we can seize and create opportunities is key to furthering European interests and defending our values with our allies and partners. The European: You mentioned allies, this is NATO with the US as leading power. Is America back again? Moritz Brake: After a disastrous four years under President
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Trump, the US has returned as a responsible ally. Still, we must be aware that America is shifting its attention and power towards the Indo-Pacific region. The European: Russia ought to be a partner but has shifted away from Europe. Moritz Brake: I think there are limits to what Russia can achieve if it continues on its confrontational course with the west and the EU. President Putin’s short-term gamble with Crimea destroyed Russia’s hopes for a powerful place in a multipolar 21st century. And its recently increased military pressure on Ukraine only deepens the dilemma Russia is facing. Still, if offered only half a chance to improve its own position at the cost of the EU, Russia will most likely grab it. The European: China is claiming to be only an economical great power. Moritz Brake: With China seemingly far away from Europe, falling for this narrative might be a likely mistake for Europeans. But there is no denying that Peking’s bid for great-power status has a rock-hard military dimension: it is reinforcing its nuclear and naval forces continuously, has become increasingly autocratic at home, and muscular in its foreign policy, especially in its maritime neighbourhood. The European: Great Britain has left the EU; what are the consequences in security and defence? Moritz Brake: Let me say it this way: as regrettable as Brexit is on many levels, a major obstacle to closer European military integration has disappeared. In addition to this, there is reasonable hope that British strategic resources continue to be closely coordinated and aligned with the EU’s. The European: What are the main challenges for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)? Moritz Brake: Two mutually supportive perspectives need to
photo: Bundeswehr/Marine Nationale/Cindy Luu
Europe needs to act strategically and pragmatically to face increasing geopolitical rivalry
