As tensions continue to rise in the Taiwan Strait and discussions grow about hybrid frictions potentially escalating into a kinetic conflict in the coming years, neighboring countries are bracing for impact. Japan and the Philippines would be on the front lines if a crisis were to erupt in the Taiwan Strait.

Annual Conference of The Study Committe on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) ─ Faced with a profoundly disrupted strategic and economic environment, Franco-German cooperation is more than ever the central pillar of Europe's future. The war in Ukraine, energy and technological dependence, and uncertainty about the strength of the transatlantic ties require urgent deepening of European sovereignty, both in terms of defence and economic and industrial competitiveness.

European energy policy sits at the fault line of geopolitical conflict, climate obligations, and transatlantic bargaining. While Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and others remain heavily reliant on Russian gas, the EU has sought to harden its stance through sanctions -most recently with Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement of a ban on Russian LNG imports in the 19th package.