By Guido Lanfranchi.
This week, the United States’ Secretary of Defense, Mr. Mark Esper, is travelling to London and Paris to further strengthen relations with European allies. The talks with European counterparts are set to focus on the U.S. National Defense Strategy’s priorities – chiefly the strategic competition with China and Russia.
In a period characterized by a whirlwind of significant developments in the international scenario, the United States’ Secretary of Defense, Mr. Mark Esper, is currently travelling to Europe, meeting senior officials both in London and Paris.
The purpose of this trip is to build relationships with the United States’ key partners and allies in the region, and to exchange views about the respective priorities in the field of national security – a U.S. Senior Defense Official clarified ahead of Mr. Esper’s trip to Paris. More specifically – the Official continued – the meetings are set to help the U.S. Defense Department to clarify the aims of its National Defense Strategy, with a particular focus on the strategic competition with China and Russia.
However, the talks are set to span also several other topics. Some of them are related to recent developments, such as the U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty, security issues in the Persian Gulf, as well as the complex developments in eastern Ukraine, northern Syria, Afghanistan, and the Sahel region. On the agenda, however, there will also be recurring topics of discussion between the U.S. and European defense establishments, such as European efforts for cooperation in the field of defense.
In a complex moment on the international stage, talks between the United States, the United Kingdom, and France bear much importance for the policies that these countries are set to adopt in the near future.
About the author:
Guido Lanfranchi is a student and young professional in the field of international affairs. He has pursued his studies both at Leiden University and Sciences Po Paris, where he is currently enrolled. In parallel, he has been gaining professional experience through internships (first at the Council of the European Union, and currently at Clingendael Institute), as well as by working as reporter and associate editor for Diplomat Magazine The Netherlands. His research and work focus on the Middle East and Africa, and especially on conflict situations in these regions.
