Save the dates for Mars&Mercurius' symposium on 30 November next entitled: European security in the new world order

EUROPEAN SECURITY IN THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent shockwaves through Europe. It quickly became clear to everyone, partly because of the soaring energy prices, that world politics has major consequences, including for our own society down to the level of individual households. At the same time, that raid was a manifestation of an underlying trend that has been going on for much longer, namely a growing hostility between the major powers. An aggressive Russia has temporarily placed itself outside the European security order.

Growing antagonisms are also visible in the Indo-Pacific. It is no longer inconceivable that the growing 'cold' confrontation between the US and China - with trade restrictions back and forth - could also lead to a 'hot' confrontation around Taiwan. The strategic focus of the US on the Indo-Pacific means that, when it comes down to it, Europe can no longer be sure of US military support in the European theatre.
At the same time, despite all the competition and confrontation, even the major powers cannot ignore the fact that several extremely important problems - such as the climate crisis and the migration issue - can only be tackled in a multilateral context. Traditionally a champion of multilateralism, Europe is at the same time being dragged into emerging conflicts.

In this fourth Mars & Mercury symposium, we want to reflect on European security in the new world order. The context is formed by the major global trends, briefly outlined above; the focus is on the implications for and prospects for action by the Netherlands. We look at the role of Germany, which has to fulfil its role as Europe's leading power also in the security field - and is struggling to do so. How can the Netherlands, as a good partner of our eastern neighbours also in the field of defence, help here? Furthermore, there is great pressure on Europe to strengthen its military capability at a rapid pace and in solid scale. The current European Defence Technological and Industrial Base is quantitatively and qualitatively incapable of carrying this out. What needs to be done, and what is a constructive and appropriate Dutch role in this?

We conclude with a discussion on how all this translates into the military action of the Dutch armed forces, with its tasks in collective and national security (main tasks 1 and 3), as well as in safeguarding the international legal order (main task 2).

More information on registering for this symposium will follow. But mark the day in your agenda!