Turbulent Tides in Europe: Pax Europaea is Under Assault

Unveiling the Threats to Europe’s Era of Peace and the Shadow of Eurasianism

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Without trying to sound alarmist, Europe has some issues that induce a dark foreboding sense of danger in the nether regions of the subconscious mind. Something lurks like a malefic wraith prowling the darkest shadows of our democratic Europe, waiting patiently for our guard to drop, our eyes to wander, our attention distracted before sweeping in and devouring our long-wrought peace and subjugating democracy within its authoritarian grasp.

After 78 years of relative peace, Pax Europaea may be coming to a close: We have a full-scale war on the continent. The Russo-Ukrainian war shattered our zeitgeist of peace by the sheer scale and violence of the assault. The magnitude of atrocities and war crimes chill most of us to our core. While the Russo-Ukrainian war is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace, it is not the only threat to Pax Europaea.

Now, while the red herring of the Russo-Ukrainian war grabs our attention, pax Europaea has another malignant cancer spreading its tentacles beneath the surface: the Greek-Turkey Aegean dispute.

Many of us do not even realise that Greece and Turkey are locking horns in a long-term dispute that has recently come to the brink of military action. Turkey is flexing its military might by not allowing Greece to expand its territorial waters past 6 miles stating that this would amount to a casus belli (cause for war) (Stamouli, 2023).

One issue that complicates the Greek-Turkey situation is that both countries are members of NATO. Could this be a death knell for NATO, thus allowing the Eurasian movement to rise to dominance? (Atlantic Council, 2023)

NATO is not the only European construct under threat: The Russo-Ukrainian war has created an overwhelming humanitarian and refugee crisis (US Perspectives, 2023). Millions of refugees are dispersing throughout the EU nations, causing civil unrest amplified by asymmetric warfare techniques on social media, showcasing the coercive power of the military-strategic in one of its lesser-known domains.

The result is enmity: enmity among EU nations, indigenous citizens, governments, law enforcement agencies… The resulting chaos forged at the intersection of all of these entities is creating cracks in the framework of the EU. Will the EU survive: Will Nato survive: the onslaught of blows is relentless! What happens if both constructs enter the history books? Pax Europaea is dead; what will rise from the ashes of its corps? Perhaps Eurasianism? The popular idiom: ‘United we stand, divided we fall’, is apt. A divided Europe would stand no chance against a superior ground power’s onslaught if the two frameworks mentioned were neutralised. The thought of such an outcome is truly frightening.

To continue, let us clarify some points below to help understand the topics mentioned in the article: concepts like Pax Europaea, the Greek-Turkish Aegean dispute, and the Eurasian movement.

Pax Europaea

Pax Europaea, or “European Peace,” refers to the period of relative peace and stability experienced in Europe following the end of World War II, largely attributed to the formation of institutions like NATO and the European Union (EU). It is marked by reduced international conflicts or wars between European states, fostering a cooperative environment through shared economic interests and political partnerships.

The Greek-Turkish Aegean dispute

The Greek-Turkish Aegean dispute is a long-standing conflict between the two NATO allies over the sovereignty and control of the islands in the Aegean Sea. The contention largely revolves around disagreements over territorial waters, delimitation of the continental shelf, and the demilitarisation of certain islands. Despite attempts at diplomacy, the conflict has recently escalated, with heightened rhetoric and military manoeuvres adding to the tension. It is a complex issue, steeped in historical treaties and a climate of mistrust: Its resolution remains uncertain (Falk, 2023).

The Eurasian Movement

Eurasianism is a political and cultural concept that emphasises the unity and cooperation of the countries and peoples of Eurasia. It originated in the early 20th century as a response to the geopolitical and cultural tensions between Europe and Asia. Eurasianism advocates for a Eurasian identity and the establishment of a geopolitical bloc comprising the nations of Europe and Asia, particularly Russia and its neighbouring countries.

The ideology of Eurasianism promotes the idea that Eurasia, as a landmass, possesses a unique civilisation and cultural heritage that is distinct from both Europe and Asia. It emphasises the historical and cultural connections among different nations and civilisations across Eurasia, including Russia, Central Asia, China, and the Middle East.

Eurasianism often rejects the Western-centric worldview and seeks to develop alternative political, economic, and cultural models that are different from both Western and Eastern political frameworks. Proponents of Eurasianism argue for the creation of a multipolar world order, where Eurasia plays a central role in balancing the influence of other global powers.

Eurasianism has influenced various political and intellectual movements in Russia and other Eurasian countries. It has gained particular prominence in Russian geopolitical thought, with figures such as Alexander Dugin being prominent proponents of the ideology. However, it is important to note that Eurasianism is not a monolithic ideology, and different thinkers and groups may interpret its principles differently: Therefore since Eurasianism is a fluid concept defining it with precision is impossible.

Is Putin interested in Eurasianism? Read his work: ‘The Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation,’ cited below. Russian Federation, (2023).

Glossary of Terms

1. Subjugating: Bringing someone or something under domination or control, often through force or oppression.
2. Zeitgeist: The defining spirit or mood of a particular historical period; the prevailing attitudes, ideas, and beliefs of a specific time.
3. Malignant: Having an evil, harmful, or destructive nature; often used to describe diseases that spread and cause harm.
4. Tentacles: Figuratively refers to the far-reaching influence or control exerted by someone or something.
5. Casus belli: A Latin term meaning “cause for war”; an action or event that justifies or triggers a war.
6. Coercive: Involving the use of force, threats, or intimidation to make someone do something against their will.
7. Enmity: Deep-seated hostility or animosity between individuals, groups, or nations.
8. Onslaught: A forceful or intense attack or assault, often used to describe a rapid and overwhelming offensive.
9. Corps: In this context, it refers to the remains or remnants of something, suggesting the aftermath or consequences.
10. Multipolar: Refers to a world order or system in which power and influence are distributed among multiple major actors or nations.
11. Monolithic: Characterised by being uniform, solid, or unchanging; often used to describe a large and uniform entity.
12. Proponents: Individuals or groups who advocate for or support a particular idea, concept, or cause.
13. Geopolitical: Relating to the study of how geography, power, and politics intersect and influence each other on a global scale.
14. Manoeuvres: Planned movements, actions, or strategies often used in a military or political context.
15. Rhetoric: The art or skill of using language effectively and persuasively, often used to influence or persuade an audience.
16. Resolution: The act of finding a solution, settling a dispute, or making a firm decision.
17. Delimitation: The process of defining or determining the boundaries, limits, or extent of something.
18. Eurasia: The landmass comprising the combined continents of Europe and Asia.
19. Geopolitical thought: The theories, ideas, and perspectives concerning the political and strategic interactions among nations and regions on a global scale.

References

Falk, T. (2023). Why do Turkey and Greece remain on a collision course over the Aegean islands? Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 June 2023, from https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/6/20/why-turkey-greece-remain-on-collision-course-over-aegean-islands

Stamouli, N. (2023). Turkey renews threat of war over Greek territorial sea dispute. Politico. Retrieved 19 June 2023, from https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-mevlut-cavusoglu-threat-war-greece-territorial-sea-dispute/

Atlantic Council. (2023). Putin’s ‘Eurasian’ fixation reveals ambitions beyond Ukraine. Retrieved 19 June 2023, from https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/putins-eurasian-fixation-reveals-ambitions-beyond-ukraine/

Russian Federation. (2023). The Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation. Retrieved 19 June 2023, from https://russiaeu.ru/en/news/concept-foreign-policy-russian-federation

Responding to the Ukrainian Refugee Plight: The EU and US Perspectives. (2023). Retrieved 20 June 2023, from https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/responding-ukrainian-refugee-plight-eu-and-us-perspectives

Youngs, R. (2023). Global civil society in a geopolitical age: How great power competition reshapes civic activism. Carnegie Europe. https://carnegieeurope.eu/2022/11/30/global-civil-society-in-geopolitical-age-how-great-power-competition-is-reshaping-civic-activism-pub-88478