Tough Choices: Europe and its Middle Power Partners

How is Europe's role evolving amidst a retreating U.S. and a more fragmented global order?With middle powers repositioning themselves for greater agency and partnership, particularly in Asia, is Europe making enough of the new dynamic for cooperation with countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia on fundamental issues like security, defense, trade, and technological governance?Listen to an engaging conversation, led by the FT's Mercedes Ruehl, with Huong Le Thu of the International Crisis Group, Henrietta Levin of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Abigaël Vasselier, Asia Pacific strategic coordinator for the EU's foreign service.Their discussion was recorded live, on stage, at the 2025 STATE OF ASIA conference, held November 6 in Zurich.Find more information on STATE OF ASIA 2025, including videos, on the Asia Society website.Stay up-to-date on all events and activities at Asia Society Switzerland: subscribe to the newsletter and support our work by becoming a member. -STATE OF ASIA is a podcast from Asia Society Switzerland.  Published: November 25, 2025Host/Editor: Remko Tanis, Managing Editor, Asia Society Switzerland