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Europe’s Watershed Year

After struggling through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union ended 2020 on a high note, with a series of historic policy achievements under its belt, and hopes of renewed cooperation with the United States. The task now is to pursue both multilateralism abroad and strategic autonomy at home.

BRUSSELSIn 2020, people around the world experienced life in slow motion, even as political developments accelerated. For the European Union, navigating the COVID-19 crisis has been challenging; yet, despite much naysaying, Europeans not only stuck together, but grew together, forging a more cohesive bloc. In 2021, global cooperation ought to make a strong comeback, and the EU should continue to pursue “strategic autonomy” so that it can safeguard its citizens and interests in the years and decades ahead.

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