Sophia Besch
@sophiabesch.bsky.social
Senior Fellow Europe @CarnegieEndowment.org, DC
Adjunct lecturer @johnshopkinssais.bsky.social
Previously @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social
Adjunct lecturer @johnshopkinssais.bsky.social
Previously @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social
Reposted by Sophia Besch
It was great to sit down with @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @dannbaer to discuss the state of things. Watch this space as more will come!
🎧 | Is Europe Ready to Be Geopolitical?
In this new #EuropeInsideOut episode, @sophiabesch.bsky.social, Dan Baer, & @rosabalfour.bsky.social tackle the key questions about the future of Europe.
Listen now 👉 europe-inside-out.simplecast.com/episodes/is-...
In this new #EuropeInsideOut episode, @sophiabesch.bsky.social, Dan Baer, & @rosabalfour.bsky.social tackle the key questions about the future of Europe.
Listen now 👉 europe-inside-out.simplecast.com/episodes/is-...
November 12, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It was great to sit down with @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @dannbaer to discuss the state of things. Watch this space as more will come!
Reposted by Sophia Besch
Subsea cables carry 95% of the world’s data but are largely invisible in global policy debates. @ibkardon.bsky.social, Jane Munga, and @sophiabesch.bsky.social discuss the geopolitics, economics, and risks surrounding undersea data infrastructure on #TheWorldUnpacked: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJIq...
The New Geopolitics of Subsea Cables
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
www.youtube.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Subsea cables carry 95% of the world’s data but are largely invisible in global policy debates. @ibkardon.bsky.social, Jane Munga, and @sophiabesch.bsky.social discuss the geopolitics, economics, and risks surrounding undersea data infrastructure on #TheWorldUnpacked: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJIq...
Reposted by Sophia Besch
🎯discussion on European security today @sophiabesch.bsky.social w/ unvarnished truth on the 🇺🇸 view of Europe @nathalietocci.bsky.social novel/provocative points & @georginaewright.bsky.social's advice: every ally needs its own PA strategy for more defense spending
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Izb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Izb...
UKICE Lunch Hour: European Security after the NATO summit
YouTube video by UK in a Changing Europe
www.youtube.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
🎯discussion on European security today @sophiabesch.bsky.social w/ unvarnished truth on the 🇺🇸 view of Europe @nathalietocci.bsky.social novel/provocative points & @georginaewright.bsky.social's advice: every ally needs its own PA strategy for more defense spending
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Izb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Izb...
Reposted by Sophia Besch
I’m fine. I've always preferred marriage analogies.
June 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I’m fine. I've always preferred marriage analogies.
Reposted by Sophia Besch
On Tuesday, global leaders will converge on the Hague for the NATO summit
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @georginaewright.bsky.social
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @georginaewright.bsky.social
UKICE Lunch Hour: European security after the NATO summit - UK in a changing Europe
Join us online the week after the NATO summit to hear our experts analyse the prospects for defence and security policy in the UK and the EU.
ukandeu.ac.uk
June 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
On Tuesday, global leaders will converge on the Hague for the NATO summit
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @georginaewright.bsky.social
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @georginaewright.bsky.social
After years framing the transatlantic defense relationship in parental terms ("kicking the teen out of the basement") none of you get to complain about "daddy" now.
June 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
After years framing the transatlantic defense relationship in parental terms ("kicking the teen out of the basement") none of you get to complain about "daddy" now.
Reposted by Sophia Besch
I very much enjoyed taking part in this event on Gaullist strategic thinking and current debates over European strategic autonomy at the French embassy with the great Julian Jackson and the terrific Léonie Allard, @sophiabesch.bsky.social @michaelshurkin.bsky.social and Aaron MacLean (1/2)
June 21, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I very much enjoyed taking part in this event on Gaullist strategic thinking and current debates over European strategic autonomy at the French embassy with the great Julian Jackson and the terrific Léonie Allard, @sophiabesch.bsky.social @michaelshurkin.bsky.social and Aaron MacLean (1/2)
New piece out for @brookings.edu this week: www.brookings.edu/articles/how...
How must Europe reorganize its conventional defense?
The objective should not be to compensate like-for-like the role that the United States is currently playing in European defense.
www.brookings.edu
June 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
New piece out for @brookings.edu this week: www.brookings.edu/articles/how...
Reposted by Sophia Besch
No easy way out on Europe’s nuclear dilemmas, yet plenty to do, @claudmajor.bsky.social & I conclude. Are we too hopeful & unambitious? Tell us! Thanks to @constelz.bsky.social @brookings.edu for the initiative & opportunity. Look also at the great papers by @sophiabesch.bsky.social & Thomas Wright.
Should Europeans develop an independent nuclear deterrent?
The biggest challenge today is shaping developments so that Europe does not fall into a "deterrence gap" as a result of U.S. repositioning.
www.brookings.edu
June 18, 2025 at 5:32 AM
No easy way out on Europe’s nuclear dilemmas, yet plenty to do, @claudmajor.bsky.social & I conclude. Are we too hopeful & unambitious? Tell us! Thanks to @constelz.bsky.social @brookings.edu for the initiative & opportunity. Look also at the great papers by @sophiabesch.bsky.social & Thomas Wright.
Reposted by Sophia Besch
Next week's NATO summit comes at a critical moment
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social, @georginaewright.bsky.social & @anandmenon.bsky.social
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social, @georginaewright.bsky.social & @anandmenon.bsky.social
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
UKICE Lunch Hour: European security after the NATO summit - UK in a changing Europe
Join us online the week after the NATO summit to hear our experts analyse the prospects for defence and security policy in the UK and the EU.
ukandeu.ac.uk
June 18, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Next week's NATO summit comes at a critical moment
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social, @georginaewright.bsky.social & @anandmenon.bsky.social
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Join our online panel as they discuss the summit and whether UK & EU defence policy is fit for purpose
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social, @sophiabesch.bsky.social, @georginaewright.bsky.social & @anandmenon.bsky.social
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Reposted by Sophia Besch
Es ist gut, dass die deutsche Politik plötzlich deutliche Worte zur israelischen Kriegsführung in Gaza findet. Diesen Worten müssen Taten folgen. Die bisherige deutsche Politik ist das Gegenteil einer interessengeleiteten Außenpolitik. Mit drei @prif.org-Kolleginnen:👉 blog.prif.org/2025/05/28/k...
Kritik ohne Konsequenzen: Überfällige Schritte für eine friedenspolitische Rolle Deutschlands im Israel-Gaza Krieg - PRIF BLOG
Die Kritik am israelischen Vorgehen in Gaza wird plötzlich auch in der deutschen Politik deutlich. Doch fehlt bislang ein wirklicher Politikwechsel. Stärkerer diplomatischer Druck auf Israel, regional...
blog.prif.org
May 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Es ist gut, dass die deutsche Politik plötzlich deutliche Worte zur israelischen Kriegsführung in Gaza findet. Diesen Worten müssen Taten folgen. Die bisherige deutsche Politik ist das Gegenteil einer interessengeleiteten Außenpolitik. Mit drei @prif.org-Kolleginnen:👉 blog.prif.org/2025/05/28/k...
Reposted by Sophia Besch
“The two main alliances of European states, the European Union and NATO, are too often paralyzed,” write @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social. To prepare for a new, more challenging era, Europe must embrace a different regional order.
Europe Needs a New Way to Cooperate
How to fill the gaps created by the EU and NATO’s shortcomings.
www.foreignaffairs.com
May 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
“The two main alliances of European states, the European Union and NATO, are too often paralyzed,” write @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social. To prepare for a new, more challenging era, Europe must embrace a different regional order.
Reposted by Sophia Besch
Finally, SAFE - the €150bn loan initiative for defence - is not mentioned in the SDP itself, but in the agenda for future EU-UK relations.
The SDP as such will enable the UK to participate in EU common procurement, whereas a future, deeper agreement will be required for UK defence industry.
The SDP as such will enable the UK to participate in EU common procurement, whereas a future, deeper agreement will be required for UK defence industry.
May 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Finally, SAFE - the €150bn loan initiative for defence - is not mentioned in the SDP itself, but in the agenda for future EU-UK relations.
The SDP as such will enable the UK to participate in EU common procurement, whereas a future, deeper agreement will be required for UK defence industry.
The SDP as such will enable the UK to participate in EU common procurement, whereas a future, deeper agreement will be required for UK defence industry.
Reposted by Sophia Besch
Great piece from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social on the limitations of coalitions of the willing and the need for a new—institutionalized yet flexible—format for intra-European cooperation.
bit.ly/3RSsqwg
bit.ly/3RSsqwg
Europe Needs a New Way to Cooperate
How to fill the gaps created by the EU and NATO’s shortcomings.
www.foreignaffairs.com
May 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Great piece from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social on the limitations of coalitions of the willing and the need for a new—institutionalized yet flexible—format for intra-European cooperation.
bit.ly/3RSsqwg
bit.ly/3RSsqwg
What does yesterday's drama mean for Merz's chancellery? What to expect on Ukraine, USA, EU, China, Defense? Can he deliver on Zeitenwende? New piece for @foreignpolicy.com with @lianafix.bsky.social
- Gift link: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/07/f...
- Gift link: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/07/f...
Merz Brings Germany Back to the Table
The new chancellor has moved quickly to fix years of foreign policy dysfunction in Berlin.
foreignpolicy.com
May 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
What does yesterday's drama mean for Merz's chancellery? What to expect on Ukraine, USA, EU, China, Defense? Can he deliver on Zeitenwende? New piece for @foreignpolicy.com with @lianafix.bsky.social
- Gift link: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/07/f...
- Gift link: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/07/f...
Reposted by Sophia Besch
This is an ambitious and interesting proposal for a new order of cooperation in Europe, especially on security and defense, from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and Richard Young.
Europe Needs a New Way to Cooperate
How to fill the gaps created by the EU and NATO’s shortcomings.
www.foreignaffairs.com
May 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
This is an ambitious and interesting proposal for a new order of cooperation in Europe, especially on security and defense, from @sophiabesch.bsky.social and Richard Young.
Reposted by Sophia Besch
Brilliant piece by @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social - sums up basically everything about the tectonic shifts and cooperation in the European security order.
New @foreignaffairs.com piece out now with @richardyoungs.bsky.social
Coalitions of the willing are no silver bullet, nor is EU reform. Increasing defense budgets is not enough. This is not the time to muddle through, its the time for a new regional order.
www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/euro...
Coalitions of the willing are no silver bullet, nor is EU reform. Increasing defense budgets is not enough. This is not the time to muddle through, its the time for a new regional order.
www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/euro...
Europe Needs a New Way to Cooperate
How to fill the gaps created by the EU and NATO’s shortcomings.
www.foreignaffairs.com
May 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Brilliant piece by @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @richardyoungs.bsky.social - sums up basically everything about the tectonic shifts and cooperation in the European security order.
New @foreignaffairs.com piece out now with @richardyoungs.bsky.social
Coalitions of the willing are no silver bullet, nor is EU reform. Increasing defense budgets is not enough. This is not the time to muddle through, its the time for a new regional order.
www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/euro...
Coalitions of the willing are no silver bullet, nor is EU reform. Increasing defense budgets is not enough. This is not the time to muddle through, its the time for a new regional order.
www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/euro...
Europe Needs a New Way to Cooperate
How to fill the gaps created by the EU and NATO’s shortcomings.
www.foreignaffairs.com
May 5, 2025 at 5:24 PM
New @foreignaffairs.com piece out now with @richardyoungs.bsky.social
Coalitions of the willing are no silver bullet, nor is EU reform. Increasing defense budgets is not enough. This is not the time to muddle through, its the time for a new regional order.
www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/euro...
Coalitions of the willing are no silver bullet, nor is EU reform. Increasing defense budgets is not enough. This is not the time to muddle through, its the time for a new regional order.
www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/euro...
Reposted by Sophia Besch
For Germany, President Trump’s upheaval of the global order isn’t just a betrayal of trust. It’s a “brutal, multipronged assault,” writes @sophiabesch.bsky.social. How is Germany's new government responding?
More in our series on Trump 2.0’s first 100 days: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
More in our series on Trump 2.0’s first 100 days: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Germany’s Reaction to Trump Is Another Paradigm Shift
With its second Zeitenwende, Berlin could become a global counterweight to Washington.
carnegieendowment.org
April 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
For Germany, President Trump’s upheaval of the global order isn’t just a betrayal of trust. It’s a “brutal, multipronged assault,” writes @sophiabesch.bsky.social. How is Germany's new government responding?
More in our series on Trump 2.0’s first 100 days: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
More in our series on Trump 2.0’s first 100 days: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
This was great - have a listen!
🎧The Trump administration’s aggressive stance towards Latin America is straining the U.S.'s relationship with the region.
@oliverstuenkel.bsky.social sits down with @sophiabesch.bsky.social to assess these shifting regional dynamics on @carnegieendowment.org's #TheWorldUnpacked⬇️
@oliverstuenkel.bsky.social sits down with @sophiabesch.bsky.social to assess these shifting regional dynamics on @carnegieendowment.org's #TheWorldUnpacked⬇️
Latin America and Trump 2.0: Deportations, Trade Wars, and China's Rising Influence
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
youtu.be
April 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This was great - have a listen!
New paper: lessons learned and what should come next for Europeans seeking to protect their subsea cables. For @lawfaremedia.org with @erikbrown.bsky.social
With threats to subsea cables increasing, European countries need to step up to secure their interests, write @SophiaBesch.bsky.social and @erikbrown.bsky.social.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/euro...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/euro...
Europe’s Undersea Opportunity
With threats to subsea cables increasing, European countries need to step up to secure their interests.
www.lawfaremedia.org
April 20, 2025 at 10:24 PM
New paper: lessons learned and what should come next for Europeans seeking to protect their subsea cables. For @lawfaremedia.org with @erikbrown.bsky.social
Reposted by Sophia Besch
With threats to subsea cables increasing, European countries need to step up to secure their interests, write @SophiaBesch.bsky.social and @erikbrown.bsky.social.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/euro...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/euro...
Europe’s Undersea Opportunity
With threats to subsea cables increasing, European countries need to step up to secure their interests.
www.lawfaremedia.org
April 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
With threats to subsea cables increasing, European countries need to step up to secure their interests, write @SophiaBesch.bsky.social and @erikbrown.bsky.social.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/euro...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/euro...
Reposted by Sophia Besch
Very interesting exchange between @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @oliverstuenkel.bsky.social about Latin America and the Trump adm..
One of the arguments is that Latin America (for now) is opting for laying low and not confronting #Trump.
Can #Europe learn from Latin America's history with the U.S.?
One of the arguments is that Latin America (for now) is opting for laying low and not confronting #Trump.
Can #Europe learn from Latin America's history with the U.S.?
President Trump’s style may be familiar in Latin America, but his tactics are causing alarm throughout the region.
@oliverstuenkel.bsky.social explained what Latin America can expect from the U.S. with @sophiabesch.bsky.social on The World Unpacked:
@oliverstuenkel.bsky.social explained what Latin America can expect from the U.S. with @sophiabesch.bsky.social on The World Unpacked:
Latin America and Trump 2.0: Deportations, Trade Wars, and China's Rising Influence
In President Donald Trump’s second term, Latin America has taken center stage in U.S. foreign policy—but not without controversy. From aggressive deportation...
buff.ly
April 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Very interesting exchange between @sophiabesch.bsky.social and @oliverstuenkel.bsky.social about Latin America and the Trump adm..
One of the arguments is that Latin America (for now) is opting for laying low and not confronting #Trump.
Can #Europe learn from Latin America's history with the U.S.?
One of the arguments is that Latin America (for now) is opting for laying low and not confronting #Trump.
Can #Europe learn from Latin America's history with the U.S.?
Reposted by Sophia Besch
This dialogue unpacks how Berlin’s rearmament plans, spurred by the Zeitenwende promise, could reshape European defense—but warns that tensions within the EU and new transatlantic dynamics may test unity and strain alliances.
With @sophiabesch.bsky.social
buff.ly/KTmpP3U
With @sophiabesch.bsky.social
buff.ly/KTmpP3U
Germany's Rearmament, With Sophia Besch | The President’s Inbox
Sophia Besch, a senior fellow in the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss Germany’s ambitious rearmament plans amidst deepening…
thepresidentsinbox.podbean.com
April 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM
This dialogue unpacks how Berlin’s rearmament plans, spurred by the Zeitenwende promise, could reshape European defense—but warns that tensions within the EU and new transatlantic dynamics may test unity and strain alliances.
With @sophiabesch.bsky.social
buff.ly/KTmpP3U
With @sophiabesch.bsky.social
buff.ly/KTmpP3U
Reposted by Sophia Besch
President Trump’s style may be familiar in Latin America, but his tactics are causing alarm throughout the region.
@oliverstuenkel.bsky.social explained what Latin America can expect from the U.S. with @sophiabesch.bsky.social on The World Unpacked:
@oliverstuenkel.bsky.social explained what Latin America can expect from the U.S. with @sophiabesch.bsky.social on The World Unpacked:
Latin America and Trump 2.0: Deportations, Trade Wars, and China's Rising Influence
In President Donald Trump’s second term, Latin America has taken center stage in U.S. foreign policy—but not without controversy. From aggressive deportation...
buff.ly
April 11, 2025 at 1:47 PM
President Trump’s style may be familiar in Latin America, but his tactics are causing alarm throughout the region.
@oliverstuenkel.bsky.social explained what Latin America can expect from the U.S. with @sophiabesch.bsky.social on The World Unpacked:
@oliverstuenkel.bsky.social explained what Latin America can expect from the U.S. with @sophiabesch.bsky.social on The World Unpacked: