Sophia Besch

Sophia Besch

Senior research fellow
Areas of expertise 

EU Common Security and Defence Policy, European defence industry integration, NATO, German security and defence policy

Twitter 

CER podcast: EU top jobs

05 July 2019
Sophia Besch talks to Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska about the EU’s top jobs reshuffle. They discuss the candidates, Europe's winners and losers, and what happens next.

The importance of being protectionist: A long view of the European Defense Fund

War on the rocks
13 June 2019
In 2017, EU officials rejoiced. They claimed to have accomplished more in 10 months than in 10 years in the field of defense, having launched three new initiatives to strengthen defense industrial co-operation, first and foremost the European Defense Fund.

Judy Asks: Is Germany's political crisis dangerous for Europe?

Carnegie Europe
06 June 2019
Europe needs Germany to help the continent respond to external challenges such as the changes in the relationships with China and the United States, and to lead internal EU reform.

CER podcast: What is a customs union?

05 June 2019
Sophia Besch asks Sam Lowe to explain what a customs union is. Sam argues that a customs union is still compatible with an effective UK trade policy.

CER podcast: A guide to the Spanish election

08 May 2019
Sophia Besch asks Camino Mortera-Martinez to talk through the Spanish election results.

CER podcast: Europe and Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi

24 April 2019
Sophia Besch asks Beth Oppenheim whether the European-Saudi relationship has changed after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi last October.

Internal strife: NATO's greatest enemy is itself as it turns 70

Euronews
05 April 2019
NATO’s first Secretary General, Lord Hastings Ismay, famously said the alliance’s purpose was “to keep the Russians out, the Americans in and the Germans down.”

Stammtisch: Going the distance - Transatlantic relations today

05 April 2019
Germany has headed to New York to take its seat on the UN Security Council - while Barack Obama has come to Germany. Damien McGuinness and DW's Fabian von der Mark chat US-German relations with former US government advisor Julie Smith and NATO expert Sophia Besch from the Centre for European Reform.

NATO at 70: Where next?

Politico
03 April 2019
As member nations gather to celebrate NATO's 70th anniversary this week, Politico asked experts to forecast what the military alliance will look like 10 years from now.

CER podcast: Europe after Brexit

27 March 2019
Sophia Besch asks Ian Bond to reflect on the CER's 2016 predictions about the effect of Brexit on future EU policy. How do they stand up now, on the eve of the UK’s departure?