Europe needs to learn to stand on its own feet. This requires not just defense spending but also the necessary expertise—such as stronger cybersecurity and resilience. A new Blue Card could be part of the solution.

At the end of January, I had the opportunity to travel to Syria—a country at a crossroads. After more than a decade of war and repression, Syria is entering a new phase, one filled with both hope and uncertainty. The decisions made in the coming months will determine whether the country moves toward democratic governance and stability or falls into another cycle of conflict and economic collapse.