Brussels Forum Day 2 #BF7 - Economies, Energy and Afghanistan

Highlights from other panels on Saturday, March 24th.

The panel on debt, jobs and growth had to deal with a couple of last minute substitutions for panelists who were unable to make it, but it was an interesting discussion of potential measures to improve growth to create more jobs, while still focusing on reducing debt.  The European emphasized that it is not necessarily problematic for the government to be involved in developing jobs, and pointed out that Asian economies that have focused on developing infrastructure have improved competitiveness.  U.S. Representative Turner's comment that governments don't create jobs led the room to chuckle, given the size and importance of government in the labor market but panelists agreed with his statement “government doesn’t create jobs, government provides an environment in which jobs can be created.”.

The panel on energy security was of particular interest to me, coming from Texas.  The focus was on European energy supplies. with Ambassador Richard Morningstar emphasizing that European energy security is important to the U.S. because of trade and investment between the U.S. and EU.  In general, emphasis was placed on the need to have diversity in suppliers, and that hydrocarbons would continue to be at least 80% of energy supplies through 2030.  Shale gas is an important resource, now that technology has made it more accessible.  Iain Conn from BP noted that China is the #1 superpower buying up energy sources in the war for hydrocarbons and may find more shale within its territory. Conn also reassured the audience that drilling for shale was safe, just like drilling for oil (he noted the irony of this coming from a BP official).  An audience member asked about energy efficiency and conservation issues. Cost is an important factor, both in terms of high energy costs leading to more conservation, and cost dictating the role of renewables.  I asked about the fact that in Texas you can drive down a highway in West Texas and see oil rigs on one side and wind turbines on the other.  The BP executive gave the impression that this was unusual, that they have lots of property in Texas where this makes sense, but that it probably didn't make sense in Europe or other places.

I strongly encourage those with an interest in developments in Afghanistan to take a look at the video on the Brussels Forum website: http://brussels.gmfus.org/brussels-forum-day-two-recap/ Each of the panelists emphasized the fact that the term "endgame" was neither useful nor accurate.  Ambassador Marc Grossman ntoed that the U.S. will continue to be involved in Afghanistan with a focus on civilian and diplomatic activities.

I moderated an enjoyable dinner break-out session on minority politics with Congressman Alcee Hastings of Florida, Commissioner with the Helsinki Commission.  Also commenting was Marietje Schaake, MEP from the Netherlands. 

The night owl on "Mars and Venus" was very enjoyable, particularly with the comments from Robert Kagan, whose article 10 years ago led to greater understanding (and perhaps controversy) between the U.S. and Europe on foreign policy and military strategy, and Anne Marie Slaughter, former directory of policy planning in the State Department.