As global power dynamics shift and Europe faces mounting geopolitical challenges, questions about the EU’s capacity to act as a credible security actor have become increasingly urgent. Coenraad Reumer, Political Advisor to the Director General of the EU Military Staff (EUMS), will provide an insider’s perspective on how the EU’s defence structures operate, how the Strategic Compass is shaping European military cooperation, and how the EU balances political ambition with practical capability. The talk will explore the intersection of policy and strategy, offering rare insight into the political dynamics, coordination challenges, and evolving vision behind the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).