By introducing a defense commissioner, Ursula von der Leyen’s second European Commission makes clear that Europe’s security is an urgent priority. Defense industrial policy will, by necessity, be a key focus.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has unified European thinking about defense. But differences remain, says the Czech Defense Ministry’s Director-General for Defense Policy and Planning Jan Jireš.
Washington has never been quite sure what it wants the Europeans to do militarily in the Indo-Pacific. The answer will only become clearer once Europe has rebuilt its military capacities. If it uses its potential, it will be able to act as a great power ally.
Europe is in desperate need of leadership when it comes to security. Yet, so far there is little sign of any Franco-German meeting of minds on defense.
Highly indebted European NATO countries should levy a “defense tax” to make their long-term commitment to higher defense spending politically credible and financially sustainable.
Despite lofty ambitions and notable space-based capabilities, the EU is lagging behind. Only through cooperation and significantly increased investment can Europe adequately respond to the increased relevance of space and the heightened orbital security environment.
Paris and Berlin need to find new ways to drive Europe forward despite their diverging visions—and uncertainty over elections.
To ensure the most effective industrial policy in the EU, Paris and Berlin should push for policies that build on their strengths and help Europe leap forward instead of always chasing the United States and China.
The Franco-German relationship remains irreplaceable for the EU. But it urgently needs to be renewed to include European goals.
While the people of France and Germany have a largely positive image of the other country, that does not mean that they know or feel a particular empathy for each other.
German and French political parties that might ostensibly share the same traditions and ideologies are actually moving further and further apart.
The government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz set out to define its foreign and security policy in “the European interest,” but has regularly failed to do so. It should change course now.
