Responding to the Geopolitics of Connectivity

Senior Research Fellow Maaike Okano-Heijmans wrote the first chapter of the journal 'Responding to the Geopolitics of Connectivity' published by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. 

In these times of rapid changes and increasing ambiguity, more connectivity between the two regions Asia and Europe has become imperative. In order to understand the various connectivity strategies as well as to see how more synergies can be built, we invited authors from both the regions to analyse the various connectivity approaches. The authors explore the concepts behind the strategies and their function within the wider foreign policy of the country supplying them. They also looked at possible areas for cooperation and competition, discussing the geopolitical impacts this may have. Finally, the authors elucidate how countries can position themselves in this regard. 

The EU’s Value Proposition for Connectivity: Time to Choose and Focus

By Maaike Okano-Heijmans

Connectivity initiatives are the latest tool for advancing influence in international relations and diplomacy. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one of these initiatives, and the most developed of them by far. While responding to a real need for hard infrastructure, the BRI contributes to China’s growing presence and influence in other countries and challenges the current open and transparent rules-based system of international politics and economics advanced in the 20th century.

Read report. 

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