There are only a few moments in life when you know at the exact moment that you will never forget it. For me, our participation in the States, Societies, and Security in the 21st Century Conference that took place at the US Military Academy in early February was one of these moments.

The first reason why it was unforgettable, is the size and the quality of the RMA-VUB delegation. Belgium may be reproached for its lack in military spending, but when it comes to the efforts of its academics to understand the current geoeconomic situation, Belgium is doing more than its share. The presentations of our researchers included:

- Anne-Marie Dedene on the role of marine insurance in the international strategic environment;

- Cind Du Bois on how political ideology affects defence spending;

- Eleftheris Vigne on Small-State Alignment Strategies in the East African Community;

- Nikolas Vander Vennet on the role of security, balancing, and the consequences of balancing;

- Sara Van Hoeymissen on Chinese perception of the EU and triangular relations with the US amid the geoeconomic turn;

- Nick Houttekier on the national security aspects of outward foreign direct investment.

The second reason is the most interesting discussion our delegation had with ambassador HE Filip Vande Bulcke and colonel Bulthé in New York after the conference. We shared the insights of our research and the impressions of the American point of view on current geopolitical affairs. Few things are more rewarding for an academic than exchanging ideas, opinions, and theories with interested policy makers.

The third reason why I will never forget the conference, was the American determination and sense of urgency. Several high ranking military officers and policy makers took the stage during the keynote speeches. While they differed in tone and intensity, they shared the conviction that the time is now for the United States and its allies to defend the international order against malign actors and rival states. Yet it are also the allies that worry US officials, as they see a lack of determination and division, not only between the US and Europe, but also between EU member states. One example of the American decisiveness is the concept of economic deterrence that has been included in the recently published US National Defense Industry Strategy, which aims to proactively deter rivals from dominating critical markets. The Belgian and EU policy toolbox does not have anything that comes even close. Though, at the same time, we asked ourselves the question if Europe is willing to go this far in its economic interventions.

So, as instructive and interesting as the mission was, our experience made the lack of an answer on one of the most important questions even more palpable: where do Belgium and the EU stand in the geoeconomic era?

Many thanks to the US Military Academy staff (especially Col. Jordan Becker), ambassador HE Filip Vanden Bulcke and his team, and all the discussants, chairs, panelists, and others who made this experience possible!

Text by Nick Houttekier