The resignation under murky circumstances of the head of Frontex provides revealing insights into the geopolitical challenges facing the EU. Frontex’s rapid growth in influence and power since 2015 also raises questions about how the EU can manage its evolution into a more state-like form with more democratic accountability.

The same dynamic driving Germany’s reevaluation of ties with Russia has caused Berlin to urgently scrutinize its trade dependence on China, with an eye to better integrating security concerns. The challenge for Berlin will be to accomplish this objective without damaging Germany’s long-term economic interests.