The European Union is mired in the worst crisis it has seen for many decades. And the crisis does not stop at Europe’s edge. It threatens to undercut the EU’s ambitions to develop a coherent and active foreign policy, but it is also forcing European states to reevaluate their approach to security and defense.

Richard Youngs examines the legacy of the crisis and what it will mean for the EU’s international role. The fallout undermines the EU’s foreign policy capacity and tarnishes its normative brand, compelling some member states to focus on realpolitik and their own national-level policies. But there are also signs of enhanced European cooperation, greater international ambition, and deepened commitment to the values of a liberal world order. Youngs details how the EU can craft an effective foreign policy strategy while confronting an internal economic crisis and a reshaped global order.

Advance Praise

“Youngs approaches complex geopolitical issues with elegance and deep knowledge. I found this book fresh, erudite, and, above all, a helpful companion in navigating the unchartered waters of a globalized world.” 
—Radoslaw Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland

“A most refreshing and well-written work that dispels many oversimplified thoughts and confirms what practitioners have experienced in recent years.”
—Pierre Vimont, Executive Secretary General, European External Action Service

“A valuable analysis from a seasoned international commentator on how the long economic crisis has intensified the birth pangs of Europe’s common foreign and security policy.” 
—John Peet, Europe Editor, Economist