Elisabeth Braw

European countries may not have to push back an invader from their soil, but their economies are feeling the pain of the war in Ukraine - and many of these countries are realising that they are vulnerable to crises without war. Their private sectors, with significant manufacturing in China and through global supply chains, are in fact the new frontline of the accelerating geopolitical confrontation between China and the West (although companies are rushing to reduce their operations in China). Over the next year, the conflict between globalisation and geopolitics will intensify, further increasing these risks. Russia, on the other hand, will continue to be able to inflict damage - especially of a non-military nature. The response of European governments should clearly be not just increased defence spending, but increased cooperation between governments and private companies (and civil society). This will minimise the damage that Russia, China and other countries can inflict on Europe.