This report is written in yet another turbulent time in world politics. It is a time when many European leaders are reassessing several previous fundamental assumptions, including what transatlantic cooperation and trade with China may look like in the future. In recent years, the European Commission has been pursuing an agenda aimed at increasing the EU's preparedness to respond to serious crises. The Commission, which holds a strong mandate from the member states, is concerned about a wide range of threats; from an increasing number of natural disasters to how Europe's defence capabilities can be strengthened. The report describes how the EU has evolved from being a clear economic cooperation to becoming a forum for managing foreign and security policy as well as addressing various types of crises. In light of the forces that have so far driven deeper EU integration, the report discusses both the EU's role if a crisis or war occurs and the changes that may be needed to make the EU's decision-making both more effective and legitimate.