by condemning America's closest European allies as free-riders — the United States may not always come to Europe's rescue. Despite a circus-like presidential campaign, the United States is well-placed to compete in the 21st century, thanks to a dynamic economy and culture of entrepreneurship, its demographic self-renewal through highly skilled immigration, dominance in military and technological power, a global network of alliances, the domestic energy revolution, and splendid geographic isolation that positions potential great power competitors far from its shores.

In the wake of the attacks in Brussels and Paris and daily revelations about thriving jihadi networks on the continent, European leaders must find a formula in which they can say the same about the European Union— enabling them to project influence abroad to shape the international system, infusingit with liberal values rather than hunkering down at home, trying to defend their people and ideals from extremists committed to destroying them from within.

Daniel Twining is director and senior fellow for Asia at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, which has a large office in Brussels. Rights:Copyright © 2016 YaleGlobal and the MacMillan Center

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