Geopolitics and power shifts: Experts discuss transatlantic relations at NKE conference
On May 21, the John Lukacs Institute for Strategy and Politics hosted an international conference titled Transatlantic Relations and Geopolitical Competition in Central Europe at the Ludovika University of Public Service (NKE).
The keynote address in the first panel was delivered by Professor Michael C. Desch, Director of the Notre Dame International Security Center. Professor Desch addressed a foundational text in the study of international politics—Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War. Drawing historical analogies, Desch stressed the enduring significance of power dynamics and the consistent patterns of human behavior across time. He discussed how a rising power can instil fear in an established hegemon, increasing the likelihood of conflict—a lens through which the current U.S.-China rivalry may be viewed.
Desch framed Thucydides as an early realist, noting that realism continues to inform our understanding of global affairs. The keynote was followed by a panel discussion. Professor Anna Molnár, Head of the Department of International Security Studies at Ludovika University for Public Service, elaborated that the European Union is now facing renewed urgency to adapt, particularly in light of Russian aggression. She argued that the EU must move beyond its image as a soft power and become capable of projecting force when necessary.
Professor Christopher P. Ball of Quinnipiac University provided an economic perspective, analysing how recent shifts in U.S. trade policy have affected transatlantic economic ties. He noted that the American, and more specifically the MAGA rationale for these changes, often stems from a belief that post–World War II alliances have become imbalanced.
Viktor Eszterhai, Head of the China and Indo-Pacific Research Program at the John Lukacs Institute for Strategy and Politics, examined evolving perceptions of China in the West, especially the shift from cooperative multilateralism to strategic competition. Eszterhai posed critical questions about the extent to which Europe and the U.S. truly align on China-related issues.
The second panel featured a keynote address by Matthew Boyse, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute’s Centre for Europe and Eurasia. Boyse argued that after the Cold War, Russia reverted to nationalist assertiveness and has since pursued an expansionist foreign policy. Europe initially responded with caution, maintaining economic ties. It was only after full-scale war broke out that more substantial Western responses emerged.
According to Boyse, Russia’s long-term ambition remains to reestablish influence over Central and Eastern Europe. While Russia exerts influence through hard power and hybrid tactics, China pursues a more subtle approach, focusing on infrastructure investments and economic partnerships, he argued.
In the panel discussion following the keynote address, Liliana Śmiech, Director General for International Affairs at Ludovika University, underscored that in Central Europe, energy policy is inseparable from national sovereignty. She warned that dependency—whether on Russian energy, Chinese manufacturing, or U.S. defence guarantees—creates strategic vulnerabilities.
Viktor Buzna, Senior Research Fellow at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, emphasised the need for Central European nations to maintain strategic autonomy. He noted that China is increasing its presence in the region through trade events and outreach efforts. Krisztián Jójárt, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Swedish Defence University, provided a sobering assessment of Russia’s long-term strategic thinking.
From the Kremlin’s perspective, the war in Ukraine is not just a regional conflict but a broader confrontation with the West. He also warned that if the U.S. retreats from NATO or reduces its engagement, the strategic balance in Europe could shift dramatically.
On May 22, the John Lukacs Institute for Strategy and Politics held an invitation-only workshop as a side event to the conference, with Professor Christopher Ball, providing a more informal but intellectually rigorous space to discuss the trade and tariff policies of Donald Trump, with special attention to their impact on transatlantic economic relations.
Read the full report of the conference at ludovika.hu.