Thomas Freer0:01 So when the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, many thought it might trigger a domino effect and that other countries would follow.0:11 And at the time, the Brexit symbolized frustration with too much bureaucracy, the bad immigration policy, and the feeling that their national identity was being lost in this globalized system being the EU.0:26 But it's been almost 10 years now.0:29 The EU has not collapsed.0:31 In fact, Brexit forced the EU to reflect and change some of their ways, and many argue that it has strengthened them.0:40 Rather than falling apart, the EU has shown more internal unity on major issues like defense, climate change, digital regulation.0:51 And one major shift has been solidarity.0:55 So without the UK, which often acted as a skeptic within the group, the remaining members have moved closer together on certain policies that affect them today.1:07 So the EU responded collectively to the COVID-19 pandemic with a shared recovery fund, something that would have been nearly impossible before.1:17 It also took an unusually unified stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, showing a sense of geopolitical purpose that many thought Europe lacked.1:28 But there obviously have still been challenges.1:37 Populists and nationalist movements in countries like Hungary or Italy or even Poland still question the EU's authority.1:46 And the question of enlargement, uh, if they're willing to admit more countries like Ukraine or countries in the Balkans could redefine what Europe even means.1:58 And in many ways, Brexit served as a wake-up call.2:02 It reminded Europeans that the union isn't guaranteed.2:06 It's a political project that has to earn its legitimacy through actual results.2:12 So instead of breaking the EU, Brexit might have honestly helped it mature, shifting it from a purely economic union into a more politically conscious one.2:24 And the EU after Brexit is smaller, but it's more self aware.2:28 And it's learning that unity and diversity isn't just their slogan.2:34 It's a daily balancing act between solidarity and their own sovereignty.
Wesley Joyce0:00 This is a very interesting topic, Thomas, that you're bringing up here.0:03 And um, you know, it's crazy to think that Brexit happened in 2016 and to hear the way these countries are operating now.0:12 And um, you know, just I personally know don't know as much about some of these things, but to see also what what Boris Johnson's um term came to and how it ended and his replacements and where that's gone and how much of a head case it was for um for the for the for them for so long, you know, it really is interesting to see.0:34 But I'm also wondering here if some of the global um games that have happened recently, you know, obviously Russia tried to annex Crimea in 2014, so this is you know the Russian-Ukraine conflict is not a new one.0:49 But I wonder I I think you know Brexit was definitely a uh a huge wake-up call to the organization, and it is encouraging to see them work better because I believe the world is stronger when they're strong.1:02 But, you know, I I wonder, especially in today's EU where all these countries are, you know, kind of bolstering their militaries once again, given what's going on in the world and um some of the things Trump said earlier on in the year, um and things of that nature.1:19 It is um it's kind of refreshing to see the EU having a wake-up call like this because obviously nobody wants to see global conflict, but if one I I feel safer in a world where the EU is powerful and at the top of their game.1:35 Um so I think this is definitely a considering Brexit from this perspective, which is one I have not, um it makes me feel very good about the state of affairs in Europe and how they operate within their union.1:49 Um and it honestly gives me a lot of hope about our allies moving forward.1:53 So I think it definitely was a wake-up call to them, and um I hope everybody stays awake.