In a global context defined by instability and constant transformation, Europe finds itself at a crossroads: redefining its role within the global order or continuing to rely on external alliances to guarantee its security. This was the central theme of the second edition of the “Diálogos para la Seguridad” Forum on geopolitics and defense, by EL PAÍS in collaboration with Spain’s Ministry of Defense and Thinking Heads.
Security challenges have become increasingly complex, diffuse, and cross-cutting, making Europe’s strategic autonomy an urgent priority. The war in Ukraine, the recent peace agreement between Israel and Palestine, and the political shift in the United States following Donald Trump’s return to the White House are just a few of the developments shaping an uncertain future.
Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and dialogues among institutional, business, and academic leaders, the forum explored six key themes:
In this context, “Diálogos para la Seguridad” has established itself as a leading meeting point for joint reflection on Europe’s future, through a lense that goes beyond defense. Today, security encompasses much more, including greater sovereignty in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, energy stability, and above all, the protection of core democratic values.
The forum, inaugurated by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, featured prominent speakers including Spain’s Ministers Margarita Robles and José Manuel Albares, as well as former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell. All emphasized the need to strengthen European cooperation and develop a common yet comprehensive vision of security, one that integrates innovation, diplomacy, and development.
Speaking on multilateralism as the path toward resolving global conflicts, Jean-Pierre Lacroix stated: “There can be no effective response to these challenges without collective action. Multilateral cooperation is the most pragmatic and effective way to address complex global challenges,” adding that “multilateralism constitutes true political realism.”
On adopting a more holistic approach to security, José Manuel Albares noted: “Old divides, such as inequality, now overlap with new ones — the climate emergency, extremist threats, disinformation, and the race for critical materials. These shifts deeply affect the international system, but also our daily lives, our economies, the quality of our democracies, and the capacity of our institutions.”
Josep Borrell defined Europe’s current state with three essential factors: decisive action, firmness, and moral coherence: “If we want to play a role in the world, we need to be more consistent. We have lost much credibility globally, and that contributes to disorder, because there are no solid, clear, or firm points of reference.”
→ Meet 11 Leading Thought Leaders and Geopolitics Keynote Speakers.
At Thinking Heads, we firmly believe that participating as a strategic partner in this forum reinforces our commitment to fostering a culture of dialogue and collaboration among key public and private stakeholders.
As Antonio Hernández-Rodicio, Partner in Strategic Communications, Political Consulting, and Public Affairs at Thinking Heads, highlights: “At Thinking Heads, we believe that dialogue between public and private actors is essential to address the security challenges defining our time. Forums like this one help build a shared and responsible vision of Europe’s role in the world.”
Through this global encounter, we strengthen our goal to promote strategic thinking and advance leadership in the institutional, business, and social spheres. As a consultancy specialized in positioning and influence, we remain committed to creating spaces for dialogue that contribute to a more informed, engaged, and resilient society, prepared to face global challenges.
Consulting firm specializing in strategic positioning and influence management of organizations and leaders
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