The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), has published Brussels Forum Views, a collection of 20 short essays from noted policymakers and scholars, that addresses the conference’s overaching theme: the fragility of the global system.

Fragility of the Global System

For the first time, Brussels Forum will feature a theme connecting the different discussions that will take place during the conference. “The Fragility of the Global System” is meant to address the interconnectedness of today’s world and the vulnerability of various aspects of the international order: the global economy, stability and security, governance, values, and the environment.

Fragility does not necessarily have to be pessimistic or negative. Rather, the term is meant more as a commentary on how precarious things are, how past patterns of behavior and past solutions are either not up to the task for today’s fast-paced, dynamic, interconnected environment or require a completely different means of thinking, approach, and resolution. Moreover, if something is considered fragile, it can either break under the application of pressure or it can be reinforced and readjusted to prevent such an outcome. The following essays — published together as Brussels Forum Views — are meant to capture various aspects of global fragility. The authors are leading policymakers, German Marshall Fund experts, and others from across the transatlantic community. The objective of publishing these views is to reinforce and reflect discussions at Brussels Forum on why certain situations are fragile, the degree to which localized failures can lead to systemic global challenges, and what can be done — if anything — to ensure that fragile situations do not result in outright breakage.

Read the full Brussels Forum Views here.

Geopolitics: The Atlantic System Must Adapt for the 21st Century
by Luis Amado

Trade & Investment: The Time Is Ripe for a New Transatlantic Economic Agreement
by Karel De Gucht 

European Integration: Europe’s Phone Connection Needs Both Hardware and Software
by Carl Bildt

Security: A Frank Debate Is Needed on NATO’s Future
by Jamie Shea

Immigration: Citizenship-for-Labor Policies Are Far from Perfect
by Christopher Caldwell

Labor: The Transatlantic Jobs Crisis Will Leave Long-Term Scars
by Peter Sparding

Energy: Shale Gas Exports Could Be a Pillar of the Transatlantic Alliance
by Michal Baranowski

Technology: A Digital World Requires Digital Values
by William Powers

Public Opinion: Pessimism about Transatlantic Economic Conditions Is Rampant
by Bruce Stokes

Burden-Sharing: Europe Should “Lead from the Front”
by Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer

Global Governance: A G-Zero World Lacks Resilience
by Gunther Hellmann

Europe: The Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Offer Three New Frontiers
by Bruno Lété

The United States: Global Influence Will Be Tested by Partisanship and Austerity
by Xenia Dormandy

China: Beijing’s Statism Is a Source of Fragility
by Minxin Pei

The Arctic: Cooperation Is Necessary in Tapping the Ocean’s Full Potential
by Gitte Lillelund Bech

Belarus: Democracy Needs a Strategy
by Andrei Sannikov

Russia: Full Integration Is to Everyone’s Benefit
by Celeste A. Wallander

Middle East & North Africa: Successful Transitions Require Transatlantic Support
by Hassan Mneimneh

Emerging Democracies: Engaging with Developing Democratic Powers Should Be a Priority
by Dhruva Jaishankar  

Young Writers Award

An Innovative Approach to Combat Transatlantic Human Trafficking
by Teresa Cantero and Rachel Molomut