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Brussels Forum Views 2013

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), has published Brussels Forum Views, a collection of 20 short essays from noted policymakers and scholars, that addresses the conference’s overaching theme: the fragility of the global system.

Fragility of the Global System

For the first time, Brussels Forum will feature a theme connecting the different discussions that will take place during the conference. “The Fragility of the Global System” is meant to address the interconnectedness of today’s world and the vulnerability of various aspects of the international order: the global economy, stability and security, governance, values, and the environment.

Fragility does not necessarily have to be pessimistic or negative. Rather, the term is meant more as a commentary on how precarious things are, how past patterns of behavior and past solutions are either not up to the task for today’s fast-paced, dynamic, interconnected environment or require a completely different means of thinking, approach, and resolution. Moreover, if something is considered fragile, it can either break under the application of pressure or it can be reinforced and readjusted to prevent such an outcome. The following essays — published together as Brussels Forum Views — are meant to capture various aspects of global fragility. The authors are leading policymakers, German Marshall Fund experts, and others from across the transatlantic community. The objective of publishing these views is to reinforce and reflect discussions at Brussels Forum on why certain situations are fragile, the degree to which localized failures can lead to systemic global challenges, and what can be done — if anything — to ensure that fragile situations do not result in outright breakage.

  • Geopolitics: The Atlantic System Must Adapt for the 21st Century
    by Luis Amado
  • Trade & Investment: The Time Is Ripe for a New Transatlantic Economic Agreement
    by Karel De Gucht 
  • European Integration: Europe’s Phone Connection Needs Both Hardware and Software
    by Carl Bildt
  • Security: A Frank Debate Is Needed on NATO’s Future
    by Jamie Shea
  • Immigration: Citizenship-for-Labor Policies Are Far from Perfect
    by Christopher Caldwell
  • Labor: The Transatlantic Jobs Crisis Will Leave Long-Term Scars
    by Peter Sparding
  • Energy: Shale Gas Exports Could Be a Pillar of the Transatlantic Alliance
    by Michal Baranowski
  • Technology: A Digital World Requires Digital Values
    by William Powers
  • Public Opinion: Pessimism about Transatlantic Economic Conditions Is Rampant
    by Bruce Stokes
  • Burden-Sharing: Europe Should “Lead from the Front”
    by Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer
  • Global Governance: A G-Zero World Lacks Resilience
    by Gunther Hellmann
  • Europe: The Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Offer Three New Frontiers
    by Bruno Lété
  • The United States: Global Influence Will Be Tested by Partisanship and Austerity
    by Xenia Dormandy
  • China: Beijing’s Statism Is a Source of Fragility
    by Minxin Pei
  • The Arctic: Cooperation Is Necessary in Tapping the Ocean’s Full Potential
    by Gitte Lillelund Bech
  • Belarus: Democracy Needs a Strategy
    by Andrei Sannikov
  • Russia: Full Integration Is to Everyone’s Benefit
    by Celeste A Wallander
  • Middle East & North Africa: Successful Transitions Require Transatlantic Support
    by Hassan Mneimneh
  • Emerging Democracies: Engaging with Developing Democratic Powers Should Be a Priority
    by Dhruva Jaishankar

Young Writers Award

  • An Innovative Approach to Combat Transatlantic Human Trafficking
    by Teresa Cantero and Rachel Molomut
Strengthening Transatlantic Cooperation

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