On December 8, SAIS Europe hosted Martin Eichtinger and Bert Koenders for a discussion on Europe's role in a fragmented world. They started by affirming that this role was being redefined by shifting global power dynamics, internal vulnerabilities, and the transformation of its traditional alliances, most notably the transatlantic relationship. Recent U.S. National Security Strategies have crystallized a trend that Europeans had already observed: the United States is no longer primarily focused on Europe. Washington's priorities have moved toward domestic concerns, immigration and criminal networks in the Americas, and above all, strategic competition with China. Africa is relegated to a space of transactional interests, and the Middle East receives little attention compared to the past. This strategic reorientation does not exclude Europe, but it signals that Europeans are now expected to shoulder greater responsibility for their own security and societal resilience.

The U.S. narrative also reflects a critical stance toward Europe, describing it as weak not only because of low defense spending but also because of perceived societal fragility. Europeans' reliance on multilateral institutions, their model of human rights, and their political systems are all questioned. This represents a profound debate about values within the transatlantic partnership.

At the same time, Europe faces internal fragmentation. Unstable coalitions within member states contrast with the EU's need for unity. Ukraine illustrates these tensions: while European powers engage in "performative diplomacy" to demonstrate leadership, the war also reveals the lack of strategic clarity regarding EU enlargement and integration.

The U.S. strategy contains positive messages about Europe but also a troubling suggestion that Washington should support "MAGA elements" in Europe to influence its political direction. Such interference underscores the urgent need for Europe to regain strategic autonomy and reduce dependence. To do so, the EU must address multiple security dimensions: military, energy, food, and economic resilience. Europe has failed to allow its corporations to grow into global champions and remains ill-prepared for high-level military planning and technological competition. Increasing defense investment and long-term strategic capacity is essential.

The authors presented enlargement as a geopolitical necessity. The EU must not only consider its 10 candidate countries but also strengthen ties with close non-EU allies such as Norway, Switzerland, and the UK. Partnerships with like-minded actors further away—Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia—should also be deepened. A larger, integrated Europe is portrayed not as a threat to unity but as a strategic asset, despite fears often amplified by far-right movements.

The EU must articulate clearer objectives and avoid ambiguity, particularly for countries like Ukraine or Moldova. Accession processes are long and demanding, but Europe must find faster political pathways that reflect global fragmentation and geopolitical urgency. A renewed European role is also crucial in the Global South, especially Africa, where demographic and economic transformations will shape the planet's future. Europe must shift from a charity-based approach to one rooted in green industrialization, peace, and security.

Finally, Europe must help restore the rules-based international order that is now weakened, from WTO disruptions to nuclear tensions, yet still functioning in many areas. Preserving and revitalizing global institutions is part of Europe's strategic responsibility and its path toward renewed leadership.

---

hosted by Professor Arntraud Hartmann


MARTIN EICHTINGER

Ambassador Martin Eichtinger is the Director of the Vienna School of International Studies / Diplomatische Akademie, since August 1, 2025. From August 2024 to July 2025, he served as the Austrian Ambassador to Italy.

Ambassador Eichtinger began his diplomatic career in 1988, working as the personal secretary to Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Alois Mock until 1992. His diplomatic assignments included Mexico, Washington, DC, where he headed the Austrian Press and Information Service from 1992-1999, and Romania and the Republic of Moldova, where he was accredited as Austrian Ambassador from 2007 to 2010.

Between 1999 and 2007, he held several positions, including: Chief of Cabinet of the Austrian Special Representative for Payments to Former Forced and Slave Laborers of the Nazi-Regime, Director for International Affairs at the Austrian Federation of Industry, manager in a private company, and Chief of Staff and later Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor.

From 2010-2015 he served as Director General for Cultural Policy at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, before he was assigned to the United Kingdom as Austria's Ambassador (2015-2018). In 2018, he was sworn into office as Minister in the Regional Government of Lower Austria.

After completion of his term of office at the beginning of 2023, he returned to the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs as Special Representative and Coordinator of Austria's neighbourhood policy and the foreign policy dimension of the Danube Region.

Ambassador Eichtinger has pursued postgraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University in Bologna, Italy, and in Paris.

BERT KOENDERS

Albert (Bert) Gerard Koenders is Professor of Peace, Security and Justice at the University of Leiden, where he holds the Kooijmans Chair. He is currently Chair of the Dutch Government's Advisory Council on International Affairs and Senior Advisor to the World Bank on Fragility.

From October 2014 to October 2017 Koenders was the Netherlands' Minister of Foreign Affairs, during which time (first half of 2016) the Netherlands held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Koenders' previous appointments include: Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations; head of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA); Secretary-General's Special Representative and Head of the UN Operations in Ivory Coast; negotiator and Co-chair for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Busan Partnership agreement and Minister for Development Cooperation, managing a complex development budget of 5 billion euro. Koenders also sat on the Development Committee of the World Bank. He has worked as Director for the organisation "Parliamentarians for Global Action", was a member of the parliamentary inquiry committee on Srebrenica, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly from 2006 to 2007, and was Founder of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, serving as its chair between 2000 and 2007.

From 2000 to 2002, Koenders was visiting professor of Conflict Management at Johns Hopkins University (SAIS) in Bologna.

Koenders studied Political and Social Sciences, International Economics and African Studies at the Free University of Amsterdam and Johns Hopkins University SAIS.