IntroductionThe article “Will Europe” survive the 21st century? A Meditation on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the European Community,” written by Walter A. McDougall (2007), outlines the evolution of the European Union (EU) through a two-part analysis. The first part, entitled "The other era born in the year 1957", highlights various historical events of great impact on economics, the role of religion; and the strengths and weaknesses that led to the formation of the EU. The second part, “The European Union in a Wider World”, provides a closer look at Europe through a political lens focusing on events in the recent past and present. This part highlights the impact of the World Trade Center events of 9/11, the questionable decisions made by the West afterwards, the challenges faced by an influx of immigration and increasing cultural diversity; and the dissent of native Europeans. McDougall identifies three major threats, which he believes will influence the future success of the EU: the foreign policy gap, the Asian challenge and the Islamic challenge. How EU members react to current problem areas and the actions taken by the European Commission will shape the level of success the EU will achieve in the future. The historical lens Many throughout history have imagined a unified Europe. Some might think that it was the final destination after so many struggles and major renovations that this geographical area had to undergo. A union that allowed for cohesion, while allowing each country to maintain its own unique characteristics, was the vision of a New World. McDougall's analysis argued that the formation of the European Union was an eventuality foreseen by many. In 1944, in a final will but...... half of the document ......tonpost.com/opinions/european-union-nations-see-an-uptick-in-economic-security-at-just -the-right-time/2014/04/12/1c167918-c0f0-11e3-bcec-b71ee10e9bc3_story.html Hodges, H. (2007, August 06). Walter McDougall on Europe at 50 [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://gypsyscholarship.blogspot.com/2007/08/walter-mcdougall-on-europe-at-50-years.htmlMcDougall, W. (2007, July). Will “Europe” survive the 21st century? A meditation on the 50th anniversary of the European Community. Retrieved from http://www.fpri.org/articles/2007/07/will-europe-survive-21st-century-meditation-50th-anniversary-european-community Sotiris, P. (2014, April 07). The Greek left and the European Union: on the need for an anti-euro and anti-EU position. Retrieved from http://www.globalresearch.ca/greeces-left-and-the-european-union-on-the-need-for-an-anti-euro-and-anti-eu-position/5376912