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

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Four questions on how the Russian assault on Ukraine will affect Europe

Four questions on how the Russian assault on Ukraine will affect Europe

01 March 2022
CER experts provide answers on the off-ramp for Putin, Germany’s defence spending, how to deal with refugees, the internal battle over the rule of law and the impact on the EU’s neighbourhood. 

Six questions on Germany's new coalition agreement

26 November 2021
The German coalition agreement contains sensible commitments on security policy, an ambitious agenda on climate, new-found boldness on China and openness to use fiscal policy more aggressively, at home and in Europe.  

Bridging the Channel: How Europeans and the UK can work together on defence capability development

15 October 2021
Despite the UK's unwillingness to work with the EU on developing military capabilities, co-operation between London and its European partners need not stall.

After Afghanistan and AUKUS: What next for European defence?

07 October 2021
The US retreat from Afghanistan and the AUKUS deal have strengthened calls for greater ‘European strategic autonomy’.

Preparing for a CDU-Green coalition in Berlin

01 February 2021
Germany is often slow to adjust policies that have served it well. But the next election is one of the better opportunities to make progress. 

Ditchley conference report: COVID-19, the global economy and the return of power politics

22 January 2021
At the CER's Ditchley economics conference, participants discussed the global role of the EU in the aftermath of the pandemic, with faltering trade and investment and growing strategic competition between the US and China.

Choosing Merkel's successor: None of the above?

12 January 2021
The competition for ‘Merkel voters’ has started, and the CDU needs a leader able to keep her broad coalition of supporters together. That may well be health minister Jens Spahn.

European strategic autonomy and a new transatlantic bargain

11 December 2020
The distinction between a European path and a transatlantic path in European defence is misguided. Europeans should focus on improving their capabilities and developing a common strategic outlook.

Europe, the US and China: A love-hate triangle?

21 September 2020
The EU risks being caught between an increasingly hostile US and China. It must manage relations with both in order to protect the rules-based global order.

Will Germany rethink defence, too?

27 July 2020
COVID-19 has forced Germany to rethink its economic orthodoxy. A similar rethink of its defence and security outlook will take time. 

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