In this episode of the JOINT podcast, we delve into the complex role of the European Union as a global actor in foreign and security policy.

Riccardo Alcaro, Research Coordinator and Head of the Global Actors Programme at IAI, Istituto Affari Internazionali, and Pol Bargués, Senior Research Fellow at CIDOB, the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, conceptualise the EU as a "Relational Power," exploring how it addresses conflicts and crises in its neighborhood while navigating the dynamics of increasing great power rivalry. Through examples, they analyse the EU's approach to conflict resolution and speculate about the future trajectory of European Foreign and Security Policy. Is the EU becoming more integrated or fragmenting? What are the implications of these potential paths?

The discussion is moderated by Milena Di Nenno, Assistant Project Coordinator and Communications Manager of the JOINT project.

This thought-provoking conversation sheds light on the nuances of the EU's global influence, its ability to leverage relationships, and its role in shaping the evolving geopolitical landscape.