The EU’s 2027 Stress Test: Confronting Washington’s New Influence

While the EU has spent years refining its Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) framework to target threats from Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Iran, and North Korea, the strategy suffers from a glaring blind spot regarding the United States. Moscow’s historical reliance on political disruption and Beijing’s efforts to cultivate economic ties are well-documented, yet recent shifts in American foreign policy suggest a more direct, ideological intervention. The US National Security Strategy has openly signaled a goal to 'correct' Europe’s trajectory, identifying patriotic, right-wing parties as essential partners in this mission.

This shift is moving from rhetoric to tangible activity. Sarah B. Rogers, US under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, recently toured Europe to identify potential recipients for US funding aimed at influencing internal political dynamics. The operation, likely managed by the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, follows a series of regional visits by deputy assistant secretary Samuel Samson. As the 2027 elections approach in nations including France, Italy, and Poland, the EU must decide whether its commitment to countering malign influence applies to its most prominent transatlantic ally.