logo
Europe's bid to stand alone

Europe's bid to stand alone

Saudi Gazette24-04-2025
In recent weeks, European nations have been grappling with a shifting geopolitical reality: the United States, under President Donald Trump's influence and perhaps again in the near future, appears increasingly insistent that Europe should manage its own fate and shoulder the consequences of its choices. This stance is hardly surprising—Trump has long expressed frustration over what he perceives as America's disproportionate burden in defending a continent unwilling to invest adequately in its own security.
At the same time, as European leaders champion their support for Ukraine and call for strategic autonomy, it is as though the continent is telling itself, in that familiar, world-weary voice: 'Let me be.'
Should this divergence continue over the next four years, it will reshape not only transatlantic relations but also the broader dynamics of the war in Ukraine.
Voices advocating for European independence from Washington are growing louder, particularly in Britain and Germany. But it is France that seems most eager to redefine its global role. Seeking to compensate for diminishing influence—especially in Africa, where recent military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have ousted pro-French governments and expelled French forces—France now finds itself on the defensive. Its sway has been eclipsed by the rise of Russian influence via the Wagner Group, and by China's expanding presence on the continent.
In response, France is working to strengthen ties with more stable African nations, such as those in the eastern Sahel and Senegal, while also attempting to boost its economic and political footprint in Asia and Eastern Europe.
Yet even as President Emmanuel Macron dreams of a 'new Europe,' he and his European allies may be underestimating just how much the international order has changed. The next four years, particularly if Trump returns to office, could see some of the most difficult transatlantic tensions yet.
The friction is already evident. Macron, along with German leaders and to a lesser extent British officials, has openly clashed with Trump over NATO. The US president has repeatedly criticized Europe for not meeting defense spending commitments and has even suggested the U.S. might not defend NATO members that fail to 'pay their share.' Such rhetoric has shaken European confidence in Washington's reliability as a long-term strategic ally.
France and Germany have responded by pushing for a more autonomous European defense posture, a concept Macron has called 'strategic independence.' His vision for Europe diverges sharply from Trump's on several fronts: defense, climate change (with Trump having pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement), and multilateralism, which Macron champions even as Trump has embraced unilateral action.
Meanwhile, it's important to recall that NATO's eastward expansion after the Cold War was perceived by Russia as a grave provocation. Many analysts argue that this expansion, viewed by Moscow as a direct threat, played a role in igniting the Ukraine conflict—particularly as Ukraine's potential NATO membership crossed what the Kremlin considers a red line.
Ultimately, the path forward is murky. The prospect of stability in Europe, and indeed in the broader global system, hinges on whether the continent can reconcile its aspirations for independence with the reality that great powers—whether American, Russian, or Chinese—continue to shape the world in which Europe must find its place in the sun.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thailand and Cambodia to hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia
Thailand and Cambodia to hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia

Saudi Gazette

time3 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Thailand and Cambodia to hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia on Monday in an effort to end a border conflict that has left 33 people dead and displaced thousands over the past four days. The breakthrough comes after U.S. President Donald Trump personally called the leaders of both countries on Saturday, urging them to begin immediate negotiations to halt the fighting. Thailand confirmed on Sunday that a delegation led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai would attend the talks in Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysia confirming that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would also be present. Trump, who is currently on a private visit to his golf resort in Scotland, wrote on Truth Social that both nations 'have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!' Both Bangkok and Phnom Penh thanked Trump for his intervention, although clashes reportedly continued overnight into Sunday. The border fighting erupted on July 24 and has escalated into artillery exchanges and air strikes across the disputed area between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province. Cambodia, whose military is significantly weaker than Thailand's, has repeatedly called for an unconditional ceasefire and accused Thailand of launching heavy bombardments and drone operations. 'I made it clear to [Trump] that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,' Hun Manet said, calling Trump's mediation a step that 'will truly help protect the lives of many soldiers and civilians.' Thailand has stated its willingness to consider a ceasefire but insists that dialogue must come first. 'Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place,' its Foreign Ministry said. 'However, Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side.' The fighting has displaced thousands of residents on both sides of the border, with no new casualties reported on Sunday but with the death toll still standing at 33, including six Thai and five Cambodian soldiers. The tension has also cast a shadow over regional trade. Trump noted that no negotiations on U.S. trade agreements with either country would proceed until the fighting stops. U.S. tariffs of 36% on goods imported from both Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to take effect on August 1 unless an agreement is reached before then. It remains unclear how Trump became actively involved, especially after Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa recently dismissed the need for outside mediation. However, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously offered to facilitate peace talks, which now appear to be moving forward under Kuala Lumpur's diplomatic oversight. The roots of the conflict stretch back over a century, to disputes stemming from colonial-era border demarcations made following the French occupation of Cambodia. Tensions reignited this week after each side accused the other of violating prior military agreements. Thailand claimed Cambodian forces deployed drones to monitor Thai troops, while Cambodia accused Thailand of advancing on a contested Khmer-Hindu temple site. — Agencies

Saudi Arabia asserts global leadership in peace push for Palestinian statehood
Saudi Arabia asserts global leadership in peace push for Palestinian statehood

Saudi Gazette

time4 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Saudi Arabia asserts global leadership in peace push for Palestinian statehood

Saudi Gazette report NEW YORK — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reaffirmed the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, as Saudi Arabia prepares to co-chair a high-level international conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this week in New York alongside France. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Prince Faisal said the Kingdom's co-presidency of the ministerial-level peace conference stems from its long-standing position in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. 'The Kingdom, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and close follow-up by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, is exerting every effort to promote a just peace in the Middle East,' Prince Faisal said. 'It remains committed to advancing global peace and security through constructive diplomacy and efforts to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and the cycle of violence under prolonged Israeli occupation.' The Saudi-French initiative comes amid growing international engagement to revive the two-state solution. Prince Faisal said the conference, to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York with broad international participation, aims to push for the implementation of relevant UN resolutions and establish a sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The conference also builds on the September 2024 launch of the international coalition for the two-state solution, jointly spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the European Union. Prince Faisal noted that the initiative complements the work of the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, which seeks to end Palestinian suffering and ensure their right to statehood while promoting lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia Calls for Restraint amid Thailand-Cambodia Clashes
Saudi Arabia Calls for Restraint amid Thailand-Cambodia Clashes

Leaders

time6 hours ago

  • Leaders

Saudi Arabia Calls for Restraint amid Thailand-Cambodia Clashes

Saudi Arabia has called for restraint and de-escalation between Thailand and Cambodia as the two countries are engaged in border clashes. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said that the Kingdom is closely following the recent border escalation between Thailand and Cambodia. In the light of this, Saudi Arabia called on both nations to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve disputes through diplomatic means. The border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia erupted on Thursday after a land mine exploded and injured 5 Thai soldiers. The two countries accused each other of starting the conflict. As a result, they engaged in border fighting, recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia. On Sunday, both countries signaled their willingness to negotiate a ceasefire to end the border dispute, which has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 168,000, according to the Associated Press (AP). This followed mediation efforts by the US President, Donald Trump, who on Thursday said he spoke with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, warning that he would not move forward with trade agreements with either country if they did not end hostilities. Later, Trump said both parties agreed to negotiate a ceasefire. However, fighting continued on Sunday across parts of the disputed border, with both sides trading accusations over troops movements and renewed shelling. The recent conflict marks a dramatic escalation in a long-standing dispute between the two neighboring countries, as their shared 800-kilometer border has dozens of contested areas. Short link : Post Views: 66

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store