Allies, Enemies, and Interests

From east to west and from north to south, historic events are unfolding, while old systems and structures are being shaken. NATO and the EU are at times internally divided, and finding consensus often means agreeing to the lowest common denominator. Such alliances survive, but they do not thrive. Meanwhile, Russia and China, although not agreeing on everything, have managed to find common ground in a shared vision for a world based on spheres of influence. What happens when our once-shared interests and vision begin to diverge? Should we look for new partners to strengthen the existing alliances? How to better cooperate with a broader network of like-minded countries? How can we reinvigorate the old alliances to survive the new reality? What happens when our alliances are challenged, contested, and even attacked not only by external adversaries but from within?