‘Europe in a new age of power politics’

‘Europe in a new age of power politics’

Press invitation – PACT lecture by journalist Robert D Kaplan in Gothic Hall of Brussels City Hall, 29 May, 18.30-22.00

Thursday 25 May 2023 –Jonathan Holslag, professor of political science at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), will host renowned journalist and geopolitics expert Robert D Kaplan on Monday 29 May, to give a public lecture on Europe in a new age of power politics. The event is organised in the context of PACT, the Caroline Pauwels Academy of Critical Thinking, through which VUB aims to encourage critical thinking and create connections between diverse viewpoints. 

Europe is a beleaguered continent. To the east, it is struggling with the war in Ukraine and has to reckon with other assertive regional powers, as well as the rise of China. To the south, it faces growing instability in Africa, unprecedented numbers of refugees and a continued rise of armed groups. And in the west, its main strategic partner is increasingly determined to rebuild its economic strength, possibly at the expense of Europe, and is increasingly outspoken about its expectations of Europe given its rivalry with China

During a lecture at Brussels City Hall, renowned journalist and expert in geopolitics Robert D Kaplan wonders whether the EU can maintain its position in this new age of power politics, and suggests how Europe can better deal with these various geopolitical fronts.

Story image

About Robert D Kaplan
Robert D Kaplan is the best-selling author of 21 books on foreign affairs and travel, translated into several languages. They include The Tragic Mind, Adriatic, The Good American, The Revenge of Geography, Asia’s Cauldron, Monsoon, The Coming Anarchy and Balkan Ghosts. He holds the Robert Strausz-Hupé Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. For 30 years, he covered foreign affairs for The Atlantic. He was a member of the Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board and the US Navy’s Executive Panel. Foreign Policy magazine has twice named him one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers.

Event in the context of PACT
​With PACT, VUB wants to organise lectures, panel discussions and debates that give an insight into the most important problems in society and in the world, and to offer ideas about how we can tackle these challenges – something that Caroline Pauwels strove for.

You are invited to attend Robert D Kaplan’s lecture on 29 May at 18.30 in the Gothic Hall of Brussels City Hall. If you would you like to attend, please contact: Nathalie Vlaemynck – 0479 87 23 26 – [email protected]

Nathalie Vlaemynck
Nathalie Vlaemynck Woordvoerder en algemeen perscontact

 

CO
About Press - Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Vrije Universiteit Brussel is an internationally oriented university in Brussels, the heart of Europe. By providing excellent research and education on a human scale, VUB wants to make an active and committed contribution to a better society.

The World Needs You

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel assumes its scientific and social responsibility with love and decisiveness. That’s why VUB launched the platform De Wereld Heeft Je Nodig – The World Needs You, which brings together ideas, actions and projects based on six Ps. The first P stands for People, because that’s what it’s all about: giving people equal opportunities, prosperity, welfare, respect. Peace is about fighting injustice, big and small, in the world. Prosperity combats poverty and inequality. Planet stands for actions on biodiversity, climate, air quality, animal rights... With Partnership, VUB is looking for joint actions to make the world a better place. The sixth and last P is for Poincaré, the French philosopher Henri Poincaré, from whom VUB derives its motto that thinking should submit to nothing except the facts themselves. VUB is an ‘urban engaged university’, strongly anchored in Brussels and Europe and working according to the principles of free research.

www.vub.be/dewereldheeftjenodig

 


Press - Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Brussel