Moderator Isabelle Casel Speakers Hauke Ritz Thomas Fazi Prof. Dragana Mitrović Georges Renard-Kuzmanovic First Commentator Walter Komarek Held in Istanbul on 26 September, the East-West Forum brought together leading academics, analysts, diplomats and journalists from different regions of the world. Hosted by Harici Media and jointly organised with the European Transcontinental Initiative (ETI), the Forum explored the changing global order, emerging security challenges and the risks posed by escalating geopolitical tensions. The event also aimed to create a new platform for dialogue across different regions, political traditions and perspectives. The third panel centred on how Europe can position itself as an independent actor in a multipolar world and on what foundations it can build its strategic autonomy. Speakers examined Europe’s transatlantic relations, opportunities for cooperation with Eurasia, Asia, BRICS and the Global South, trade and energy links, and the pursuit of digital sovereignty in relation to US-based technology companies. Other key topics included the future of Europe’s traditions of humanism, the Enlightenment, labour movements and the mixed economy; the openness of institutions, the media and universities to alternative ideas; and the social implications of artificial intelligence and genetic engineering. You can watch the full third panel of the East-West Forum in this video.
