The conversation isn't a new one for the Continent. But given the many challenges facing the bloc, and the differing priorities among its members, the latest iteration of the federalism discussion could deepen the divides among the European Union's constituent states.

Europe's divisions are a product of its geography. The mountain chains, unconnected rivers and peninsulas that characterize the Continent have enabled multiple economic centers to emerge and thrive. Over the centuries, these various hubs have given rise to dozens of nation-states, each with its own strong identity, and many with expansionist ambitions.

European history offers several examples of the integration of small political entities into larger units, but the process usually happened by conquest. In that sense, the European Union represents a radical departure for the Continent, because it seeks to unite Europe's many components by consensus instead. Whether the bloc's bold political experiment can overcome the Continent's natural tendency toward fragmentation is far from settled.

More than a half-century since its creation, the European Union is again facing a quandary that has plagued the Continent throughout its history: how to negotiate the differences among its many countries. The bloc probably won't become a federal superstate anytime soon. Nevertheless, its leaders will continue to spend considerable time and energy looking for ways to stay together.

The debate over reforming the European Union will once again expose the rifts among member states' priorities and strategic imperatives. At the heart of the discussion is the enduring question about whether the bloc can overcome history and geography to become a federal superstate. In the long run, the European Union's main challenge will be to keep its internal divisions from paralyzing it, as challenges in and beyond the bloc multiply.