This book investigates whether the European Union is undergoing a fundamental retreat from its long-standing commitment to liberal internationalism in the face of shifting global power dynamics. Richard Youngs, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe and professor of international relations, utilizes extensive policy analysis and historical context to argue that the EU is increasingly prioritizing pragmatic, interest-based diplomacy over its traditional normative agenda. The text examines how internal pressures and external geopolitical challenges have forced a recalibration of the Union's global strategy.

Experts recognize this work as a critical contribution to the study of European foreign policy, noting its clear-eyed assessment of the EU's declining influence. Readers frequently highlight the author's balanced approach to complex geopolitical shifts and the academic rigor of the provided bibliographical references.