Europe sidelined by lack of military power, says expert
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Belgian political scientist Sven Biscop argues that Europe's lack of military power sidelines it in geopolitical conflicts, citing the Iran war as an example.
- Biscop criticizes the erratic nature of the US administration under Trump, noting its actions contradict its stated National Security Strategy.
- He emphasizes that expanding diplomatic negotiations, rather than escalating military action, is the only viable path to stable resolutions in international conflicts.
Sven Biscop, a prominent Belgian political scientist and director at the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations, offers a stark assessment of Europe's role on the global stage, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions. In an interview, Biscop contends that Europe's inability to project significant military power renders it largely irrelevant in major international conflicts. He uses the example of the Iran war, stating that while power politics is timeless, having influence requires military capacity, something Europe currently lacks, leaving it sidelined as other global powers engage.
To have an impact doesn’t mean you have to play that game. It’s not that you only have impact if you start a war from time to time, but you do have to have military power so that your voice will be listened to.
Biscop also sharply critiques the foreign policy of the Trump administration, describing it as erratic and chaotic. He points out the direct contradiction between Trump's National Security Strategy, which ostensibly aimed to reduce US interventionism, and the actual actions taken. This inconsistency, Biscop suggests, creates instability and undermines predictable international relations, leaving allies and adversaries alike uncertain about US intentions.
We’re totally sidelined because everybody knows we don’t have the military capacity to contribute much.
Looking at the broader geopolitical landscape, including conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz and between Israel and Lebanon, Biscop advocates for a diplomatic rather than a military approach. He firmly believes that escalating conflicts will not solve underlying problems. Instead, he stresses the necessity of broadening the scope of diplomatic negotiations to include a wider array of powers. Only through inclusive and robust diplomatic engagement, he argues, can stable and lasting arrangements be achieved. This perspective highlights a distinctly European viewpoint, prioritizing dialogue and multilateralism as the primary tools for conflict resolution, contrasting with a more power-centric approach often seen elsewhere.
The US and Israel started a war and they no longer control the ramifications. Europe has to stand firm: expanding the war will not solve any problems.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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