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 

Germany should finally take the lead in Europe

Handelsblatt
06 March 2018
Now she has won a fourth term, Chancellor Merkel should put little-Germany thinking behind her and be the leader that Europe needs.

Why Germany must spend more on defence

CNN
06 March 2018
Now that Germany has a new government, investing in defense and the transatlantic relationship has to be a priority for Angela Merkel.

The end of little Germany?

Project Syndicate
05 March 2018
Now that a new government has finally been formed, Germany must start thinking of itself as the major economic player it is, and behave accordingly.

CER podcast: A European agenda for Germany

28 February 2018
Sophia Besch and Beth Oppenheim discuss German politics, and what Berlin needs to do over the next four years to help Europe overcome its many challenges.

What defence policy for the next German government?

E!Sharp
19 February 2018
As they try to form a coalition government after last September’s inconclusive elections, Germany’s politicians are debating Germany's role in protecting Europe.

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change - Podcast: A Germany special - politics and defence

19 February 2018
Shashank Joshi and Simon Tilford of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change sit down with the Centre for European Reform's Sophia Besch to discuss the twists and turns of Germany's coalition talks, and the state of Germany's military. 

CER podcast: A briefing on Italy's election

14 February 2018
Sophia Besch asks Luigi Scazzieri about the political debate in Italy and which coalition might win the election on March 4th.

PESCO unlikely to deliver much in the short term

The Progressive Post
13 February 2018
PESCO, or permanent structured co-operation, is a political framework that aims to help EU countries develop military capabilities together and improve their ability to deploy them.

BBC Radio 4 - A very British battle

12 February 2018
Sophia Besch, a research fellow at the CER speaks to Caroline Wyatt about the UK’s future defence relationship with Europe after Brexit (from 12:40 mins).

BBC World Service - Newshour: Germany's coalition deal

07 February 2018
 Sophia Besch, a research fellow a the CER speaks to BBC Newshour about Germany's coalition deal.