Facing a multitude of crises, the EU has placed strategic autonomy at the heart of its external action. The Union’s quest for autonomy, which embodies its desire to enhance its capacity to act according to its own laws, interests and values in a world increasingly defined by geopolitical competition, has only been given additional credence by the recent developments in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.
In this special dossier, the Progressive Post looks at three important but rather underexplored aspects of a concept that appears firmly set to guide EU (foreign) policy. (How) can autonomy be aligned with the bloc’s international agenda of democracy and human rights? What does pursuing European autonomy mean for the transatlantic relationship? What are some of the key risks involved in its pursuit?
