Europe’s strategic choices 2024

How will Europe develop its defence capabilities and what are the implications for spending? Are Europe’s defence supply chain issues and production capacity being adequately addressed? What are the implications of the introduction of European Single Market rules for defence procurement? Have NATO’s deterrence strategies kept pace with the threats of modern Europe?

What kinds of defence strategies have been effective in combatting the cyber and information aspects of recent conflicts and political tensions? How will European states respond if the US cuts support for Ukraine? 
 

How is Europe addressing rising illiberalism and what are the implications for the efficacy of democratic governance and institutions? How has the European Parliament shifted on strategic questions such as the green transition, technology regulation and EU expansion? What is democratic governments’ answer to migration? Can centrist parties survive without that answer?

What does the future look like for centrist parties in Europe with election winners increasingly coming from the ideological poles? How can democracies better protect elections from malign interference? 

Breakout sessions will run concurrently.

How can countries implement a whole-of-society defence strategy to enhance their societal resilience in the face of hybrid threats? What lessons can be drawn from the Nordics’ adoption of comprehensive security policies to enhance European defence? What practices characterise comprehensive security strategies and how can these be employed more widely across Europe?
 

What does ‘secure’ look like given the growing capabilities and agency of non-state actors?
 

Breakout sessions will run concurrently.

What are Europe’s strategic goals concerning the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa? How have security threats in the Red Sea impacted economic dynamics, international shipping and global trade, including insurance risks? How can European countries best respond to instability in the Red Sea and safeguard their security and commercial interests?

 
 

Breakout sessions will run concurrently. 

What are the key policy instruments utilized by the EU and national actors to tackle terrorist threats? How successful has the EU Security Union Strategy been in protecting Europeans from terrorism and organized crime? Are there gaps in current national and international counterterrorism and deradicalization efforts?

How can governments and international organizations work together to defend against terrorism and radicalization?

 

What are the risks of a regionalised conflict for the Middle East and beyond? What are the implications for Europe’s security architecture? Is Europe prepared for refugee crises and conflict driven migration?

What is Europe’s role in maintaining a multilateral system that remains a champion of peace and democracy? 
 

What deters Russia? What have we learnt from Russia’s war on Ukraine? What security arrangements should be offered to Ukraine to boost its own and Europe’s security? Can Europe/the EU/NATO deter and defend itself? How fast is Russia rebuilding its military and in what areas? What do European countries need to do to prepare for a possible direct confrontation?

What is the best defence against cyber and information warfare? What should we expect from Russia and how much damage can it do? What is Russia’s declared and actual policy towards Europe (and the EU and NATO)? How much of a priority is Europe for Russia?
 

To what extent are geopolitical risks and increasing protectionism helping or hindering competitiveness, innovation, and productivity in Europe? How might developing the industrial base and skills agendas boost competitiveness? Where are the greatest opportunities for secure and competitive growth and where should private and public sector investment be targeted for maximum impact?

How might competing interests of European nations impact the effectiveness of multilateral systems within Europe and what strategies can be employed to bridge these differences and strengthen collaborative efforts? What role can multilateral bodies, such as the European Union and NATO, play in fostering unity among member states and promoting a common European approach to international challenges?
 

Can Europe compete with China in technology and science? How are worsening US-China relations impacting Europe? Is China the answer to Europe’s future growth or a worrying dependency? 

What are China’s shifting priorities towards Ukraine and what are the implications for Europe?
 

What is the impact of the US’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on European investment? Are industrial policies such as the EU’s Green Deal Industrial Plan adequately addressing current climate targets, energy security and economic stability? How is protectionism fostering competitiveness in the green economy, and how does Europe position itself in term of competition or collaboration around critical materials and key resources such as hydrogen?

How are climate risks accounted for in security policy?
 

What is Europe’s role in the global AI Order? How can Europe’s AI industry become competitive amid US-Chinese competition? How can the EU adopt a flexible approach to its regulatory framework and how can it strengthen responsible AI governance? 

With an assertive Russia, multiple elections, and a dominant China, can Europe remain protected from malignant AI threats beyond 2024? How does the rapid advancement of AI present a fundamental challenge to traditional battlefield and cyber threats? How should these be regulated within a competitive international environment?
 

How does Europe engage more effectively with the so called ‘Global South’ and on issues of official development assistance? What are the key considerations for establishing and building mutually beneficial strategic partnerships and countering competitive spheres of influence?     

What is the scope for further developing ‘minilateral’ security arrangements with partners beyond Europe? What is Europe’s continuing role in conflict prevention and peace building?