Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping.
In a time when the rules-based global order is eroding, Europe stands at a dangerous crossroads. Confronted by external “predators” such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping, and challenged internally by political disillusionment and ideological extremism, the European Union risks falling behind — not due to lack of capacity, but due to a lack of self-belief.
This was the central argument of a recent discussion hosted by Le Figaro, featuring Benjamin Haddad, French Minister for European Affairs, and political writer Giuliano da Empoli. Their exchange revealed a profound truth: while others see Europe as a formidable force, Europeans themselves often fail to recognize their own strength.
The era we’ve entered is not one of compromise, but confrontation. As da Empoli notes, the "new" predators — whether political populists like Trump or tech moguls reshaping public discourse — thrive by rejecting norms, undermining regulation, and exploiting the fragmentation of liberal democracies. Europe, with its commitment to the rule of law, social cohesion, and multilateral cooperation, stands as their natural opponent. Not because it is weak, but precisely because it is one of the few remaining bastions of rule-based order.
But this fortress is under siege — not only from the outside, but from within. Citizens disillusioned by stagnant economies, unresolved migration issues, and political inertia increasingly flirt with populist alternatives. These movements promise control, identity, and order — and find oxygen in the algorithmic echo chambers of TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Yet, as both Haddad and da Empoli argue, the problem lies less with the technology than with the failure of mainstream politics to respond convincingly to legitimate concerns.
The specter of Trump’s possible return to the White House in 2025 was rightly treated not as a freak accident but a symptom of deeper structural shifts. His worldview — transactional, inward-looking, and openly hostile to NATO and the EU — has already transformed American politics and reverberates across Europe. Worse still, as Haddad pointed out, these are not isolated phenomena — even President Biden has embraced protectionist policies that echo those of Trump.
The question now is: what can Europe do?
Firstly, acknowledge reality without panic. The liberal dream of eternal peace and convergence — the Fukuyaman fantasy — is over. We are not moving toward a post-ideological consensus but re-entering a world governed by force, identity, and asymmetry.
Secondly, Europe must become a geopolitical actor, not merely a regulatory one. That means serious investment in defense, controlling its technological future, and setting clear, enforceable rules for migration — not as a concession to populism, but to rebuild democratic legitimacy.
Thirdly, Europe must stop outsourcing its political and security agency. As Haddad pointed out, relying indefinitely on American protection is no longer viable. A stronger, more confident EU must emerge — one that can defend its borders, innovate economically, and act decisively in crises.
Lastly, Europe must win back its own people — not just through rhetoric, but through performance. Delivering prosperity, security, and identity is not a populist demand; it is a democratic imperative.
In sum, the predators are real. But so is the possibility of European renewal — if we stop underestimating ourselves.
Further Reading
Giuliano da Empoli, L’Heure des prédateurs (2024)
Ivan Krastev & Mark Leonard, The Age of Unpeace (2020)
Anne Applebaum, Twilight of Democracy (2020)
Luuk van Middelaar, Le Réveil géopolitique de l'Europe (2023)
Ivan Krastev, After Europe (2017)