Europe's self-reliance implications: Navigating independence in a complex global landscape.

European Defence Reboot: Strengthening European Values Amidst Global Upheaval

Europe's self-reliance implications: Navigating independence in a complex global landscape.

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen / COPENHAGEN

The world we once knew is fading away. As the ground beneath our feet shifts, Europe finds itself at a crossroads, fighting to preserve its institutions from the clutches of a returning era where brute force dictates diplomacy—where power hoards in the hands of strongmen in Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.

To triumph in this challenge, we must cast off old dogmas and confront the reality head-on. A stubborn adherence to the past won't safeguard democracy or our cherished way of life. We must learn once more the art of hard power and boldly challenge those who endanger our values and interests.

The return of President Trump to power has sparked massive defense spending commitments across Europe, amounting to hundreds of billions of euros[1]. However, these promises are far from sufficient. The 2% of GDP defense investment target set for NATO back in 2014 was feasible when the US still acted as the global peacekeeper, albeit grudgingly. Today, those days have passed. Even just keeping pace with Russia's military advancements necessitates a significant increase in European defense spending[1].

I am not content with mere doubling; I propose that by 2028, Europe's defense budget should reach a staggering 4% of GDP[1]. Leaders like incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk must lead by example, with their national aspirations mirrored across the continent.

Bigger armies and more hardware are undoubtedly essential components, but they only represent part of the equation. If our enhanced defense spending is limited to military acquisitions, we would miss a golden opportunity to fuel our homegrown technological revolution. It is innovation in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, critical infrastructure, and biotech that underpins the US and Chinese hard power[1]. Europe risks becoming stagnant if it fails to keep pace with the major powers forging ahead.

To stand our ground, we must overhaul our alliances. While relics like the G7 could still serve valuable purposes, new ways of convening like-minded democracies are essential. A coalition of democracies—the D7—could craft new tools to promote free trade, economic cooperation, defense partnerships, intelligence-sharing, and access to critical minerals[1]. They could even create new security arrangements guarding against cyberkinetic attacks and economic coercion—a defense-oriented NATO Article 5, if you will.

The EU, working closely with traditional partners such as the UK, should also explore closer ties with the likes of Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia. Fostering unity with potential powerhouses like India—whose GDP has doubled in the last decade, poised to rank third globally before the end of this decade[1]—would grant Europe further resilience, even in a world without US support.

For far too long, Europe has relied on cheap Russian energy, cheap Chinese goods, and cheap US security and technology. This shortsighted dependence is no longer viable. Alongside redistributing resources for defense and technology, Europe must forge a new social contract that equips its citizens to thrive in a challenging world.

Though we must preserve our European values, we must revisit the foundation of the old welfare state. There is no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to preserving freedom. European leaders must openly acknowledge the struggle we face and the sacrifices necessary to meet it. Solutions may not always be popular, but we cannot forget that we now dwell in an age of crisis[1]. Europeans must be empowered with the skills and resources to navigate these tumultuous times. We can draw valuable lessons from the resilience of the Ukrainians and Taiwanese as they strive for freedom.

Each year, I organize the Copenhagen Democracy Summit via my Alliance of Democracies Foundation. When I founded the Alliance in 2017, I believed unwaveringly that the US would continue to play the central role in a global democratic alliance[1]. In today's world, we must steel ourselves for a time when the US may be unreliable, even hostile and expansionist.

New realities call for new strategies. Defending democracy should never be a spectator sport. We will have to make sacrifices, for the alternative is unthinkable. Europe stands on the cusp of assuming the mantle of global leadership. Will our descendants forgive us if we fail to seize this opportunity?

Enrichment data: To boost defense spending and innovation in Europe, ensure the preservation of democratic values, and guarantee a prosperous way of life amidst geopolitical shifts, various strategies are proposed and implemented.

Strategies for Increasing Defense Spending and Innovation

1. Deficit Exemptions

The European Union seeks to exempt defense investments from member states' deficit limits, potentially unlocking additional funds for defense[5].

2. Financing Mechanisms

The EU offers €150 billion in loans for joint defense investments, utilizing unused budget capacity and EU-backed bond issuance[3][5].

3. Technological and Industrial Base Enhancement

The European Defence Fund supports research and development in defense technologies, fostering innovation across the EU[3].
Joint procurement initiatives like PESCO and ReArm Europe aim to reduce fragmentation, promoting collaborative development and procurement of defense systems[5].

4. Reducing External Dependencies

Encouraging private investment and redirecting funds towards defense projects within the EU can decrease reliance on external partners for security and defense needs[4][5].

5. Support for Allies

Europe provides arms production support to Ukraine, fostering self-sufficiency in defense[2].
The European Peace Facility reimburses EU nations for providing military aid to regions in need[5].

Implications for Maintaining Europe's Way of Life

These initiatives seek to bolster Europe's security by:

Strengthening Security Capabilities: Enhanced defense allows deterrence of aggression and the maintenance of stability.
Promoting Economic Stability: Linking security with economic stability ensures market-driven economies can avoid relying on military might to wield diplomatic influence.
Promoting Innovation: Encouraging technological innovation in defense grants long-term strategic advantages and competitiveness.
The European Union is proposing to exempt defense investments from member states' deficit limits, potentially unlocking additional funds for defense.
The EU is offering €150 billion in loans for joint defense investments, using unused budget capacity and EU-backed bond issuance.
The European Defence Fund supports research and development in defense technologies, fostering innovation across the EU.
Joint procurement initiatives like PESCO and ReArm Europe aim to reduce defense fragmentation, promoting collaborative development and procurement of defense systems.
Encouraging private investment and redirecting funds towards defense projects within the EU can decrease reliance on external partners for security needs.
Europe is providing arms production support to Ukraine, fostering self-sufficiency in defense.
The European Peace Facility reimburses EU nations for providing military aid to regions in need.
Enhancing Europe's defense capabilities can strengthen security, promote economic stability, and encourage technological innovation, granting long-term strategic advantages and competitiveness.