As tanks traverse Washington D.C. today to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday—as well as President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday—Europe is marking a separate milestone, instead honoring it with a cruise ship docked close to a riverside.
Leaders from various parts of Europe are convening in Schengen, a riverside town within Luxembourg, to commemorate the signing of an international accord aimed at eliminating checks along their shared boundaries. This pact was inked on June 14, 1985, transforming this obscure hamlet into a symbol of European unification; now, Schengen stands as a representation of the concept it initiated—a region characterized by unrestricted movement spanning 29 states and over 450 million inhabitants.
The commemoration event in Schengen showcases items related to the treaty creation process, such as the MS Princesse Marie-Astrid—a restored cruise vessel where representatives from the initial five signing countries—namely France, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands—gathered along the Moselle River with the aim of eliminating border checks. These leaders had pragmatic goals: they wanted to simplify daily life for citizens, encouraging both workers and tourists to move freely across borders with ease—”pass, pass, pass,” as stated by one signer when I researched this topic.
my book about Schengen
In theory, you have permission to proceed; and we assume that you’re trustworthy.
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]
However, the accord acquired more profound symbolic significance. The Schengen Agreement represented the principles of liberal internationalism that dominated during what was termed the “end of history,” realizing the ideal of a global community wherein individuals, commodities, finances, and data could move unrestrictedly. While the Abrams tank stands as the primary emblem of U.S. military power showcased in present-day Washington, D.C., the cruise liner docked in Schengen embodies an entirely distinct conception of the world order—one based on movement, connectivity, and transnational interaction—the essence being the ability “to journey, emigrate, circulate, and interact across borders,” according to remarks made by a Senegalese immigrant living in Paris following the inception of Schengen.
Certainly, both perspectives stem from the aftermath of fascism’s defeat and the conclusion of the Cold War: a powerful United States that triumphed over foes of liberty, and a tranquil Europe where former rivals collaborated to dismantle borders that were once fronts in conflict. There was a period when these viewpoints existed harmoniously. However, now they appear to be diverging. This rift is evident in the disdain displayed by high-ranking officials within the Trump administration toward longstanding allies; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Europe using an unflattering term, “PATHETIC,” in a tweet.
private chat
on the Signal messaging app. It’s also clear in the administration’s escalating crackdown on immigration, and in the deployment of Marines in response to
protests in Los Angeles
The concept of unrestricted mobility driving the Schengen agreement is not one that is commonly embraced.
Stephen Miller
, to put it mildly.
However, Schengen is a distinctive construct, fitting for our confusing era. In my book, I delve into how this pact did not foresee completely open travel. Rather, it linked the easy passage of EU citizens with keeping out undesirable individuals deemed risky to Europe. These undesirables were categorized based on their potential danger. The accord imposed additional duties on member states to monitor the Schengen Zone’s perimeters. It also empowered these countries to reinstate border checks internally should there be significant concerns about public health or domestic safety.
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Nations have
done so repeatedly
Over the last ten years, Europe has faced significant challenges starting with the surge of approximately 1.3 million asylum seekers in 2015. This period also saw several fatal terror attacks, which fueled efforts to strengthen border control measures. In recent times, ongoing crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, and intermittent conflicts in the Middle East have further intensified demands for stricter border surveillance across European nations.
Recently, Germany declared its intention to keep restrictions at all nine of its terrestrial frontiers due to “significant unauthorized immigration” along with rampant human trafficking operations. Additionally, issues like overstressed refugee processing systems and global instability were cited factors contributing to this decision. Similarly, the Netherlands imposed travel limitations partly owing to pressures exerted on local resources by incoming immigrants and refugees seeking protection. Meanwhile, various Northern European governments argue that threats posed by potential Russian subversion alongside other disruptive transnational actions necessitate reinstating stringent frontier inspections.
Even after 40 years, the Schengen Agreement has become deeply integrated into the daily life across Europe, making it practically impossible for countries to muster the means or infrastructure required to close off their frontiers. While there are still border inspections in certain areas, attempts to reinstate comprehensive control measures have largely served as political gestures. Despite widespread resistance to large-scale immigration, fueling right-wing movements on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, the unrestricted flow of individuals and commodities continues to be a cornerstone principle within the European Union.
most popular policies
. Maybe this demonstrates that Schengen was initially conceived as a practical enhancement for daily living rather than a display of strength or radical change. Alternatively, it might indicate that notions of peace and diversity remain strongly embedded within significant sections of Western culture.
Both perspectives reflect the viewpoint of Robert Goebbels, who represented Luxembourg in the negotiations four decades ago and played a key role in drafting the agreement and selecting Schengen for the signing. Recently, before today’s dual anniversary festivities, I reached out to Goebbels, who has since served as both a government minister and an MEP. He informed me that Schengen is a “peace initiative,” uniting countries previously embroiled in violent conflicts and providing freedoms and prosperity to 450 million Europeans. In contrast, according to him, Trump merely “adores himself.”
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