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This book considers the principal challenges facing the European Union, which has been buffeted by a series of profound crises, both internal and external. These range from the future of Ukraine, the Union´s reactions to China´s ´One Belt, One Road´ initiative, how to help stabilize countries to its south, and relations with the United States. The core argument is that the EU lacks a meta-narrative that could indicate priorities and linkages between the various continental, regional, national and thematic strategies. As a result, the EU often appears to be a confusing and even contradictory actor to many international partners. In response to these challenges the EU needs to develop a deeper sense of strategic awareness and confidence so that it may give a more convincing response to fundamental questions about the Union´s role, purpose and identity in a changing world.

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Introduction.- Chapter 1. The EU´s strategic unconsciousness and normative hubris.- Chapter 2. Existential doubts and Strategic dilemmas.- Chapter 3. In search of strategy.- Chapter 4. The return of geopolitics and relations to the east.- Chapter 5. Geopolitics in the post-Arab Spring.- Chapter 6. Transatlantic relations and Europe´s missing Asia pivot.- Chapter 7. Europe´s harder edges: Security and Defence.- Chapter 8. Putting effectiveness into multilateralism.- Chapter 9. Strategy, implementation and means.- Chapter 10. Reconceptualizing the world and the liberal delusion.

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Simon Duke is Professor of European Policies at the European Institute of Public Administration. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at Maastricht University, the Netherlands. He is Executive Editor of the Journal of European Integration.

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