Safety First: Europe Needs a Proactive Group of Allies to Bolster Security
Strengthening a Collective Security Initiative Among Voluntary European Nations
The U.S. stepping back from European defense is becoming a tangible reality. The EU is ramping up defense spending, but it remains bogged down. It's high time to consider alternative approaches.
As America potentially deserting Ukraine leaves the nation's survival hanging in the balance for the EU, the continent finds itself in a monumental, historic predicament. Our generation's task is to align Europe's potential with its actual defense capabilities. From Brussels, I can see that there's too much talk - impractical for these urgent times. The endless discussions among the 27 EU member states feel outdated compared to our current security needs, offering legitimacy, but hindering progress.
The situation calls for a European minimum of processes - and a maximum of determination. There's no room for delays: Russia's arming. Verbally, as evident in Russian state media, and militarily, as our intelligence warns. The threat of Kremlin's aggressive expansion towards the EU is looming, not far in the future. Those who hesitate, remaining frozen by red tape in Brussels, will miss their chance.
We need lean, swift security structures alongside our existing setup. Lead by a European Strategic Command Center, capable of making quick, legitimate, and decisive moves.
Three guiding principles drive this concept: Not the whole EU. Not only EU. Not without EU.
"Not the whole EU" means: We require a core Europe for defense. Not every EU member needs to participate, not all have to harmonize. Different speeds in defense policy is a reality - today, it is an imperative. If a member's will or our trust in them falters, they can be left behind on this journey. We don't need Viktor Orbán, who's friendly with Putin, to drag us back if he undermines the EU's interests.
"Not only EU" implies: We need an opening towards a collective of willing partners. Third countries like Britain or Norway should join forces with us if they're ready to combine their resources with ours. Europe's security doesn't terminate at its boundaries.
"Without EU" stands for connecting to existing EU structures. New formats should integrate instead of creating competition. PESCO, EUMS, or INTCEN offer potential docking points.
However, a strong leadership is crucial for all this to work. A strategic decision-making body is vital for operability. Resources won't secure us if they're not used wisely.
Europe needs an operational Strategic Command Council - not a debating forum, but a crisis decision-making center. The UN took the lead 80 years ago with its Security Council's decisive leadership during its peak moments; Europe could follow suit.
So, who would form the council? The President of the European Parliament as a symbol of parliamentary control, two member states with the greatest defense spending, and one non-EU state offering substantial support. However, the council's membership should not remain static. Every two years, members should be re-elected, possibly by a qualified majority of the council's members.
The specific decision-making powers can be negotiated. In any case, the council should hold the power to declare a defense emergency if necessary. This declaration could serve as the legal basis for national mobilizations and joint defense measures across member states, as well as for pooled defense procurements and coordinating defense and industry initiatives.
Europe now is a dormant powerhouse - economically, we're the second-largest market and trading power after the US. But in defense policy, we remain stagnant, despite the right rhetoric. We have the force, but we're not using it effectively. A European Strategic Command Council would ensure that our strength is meaningful.
Source: ntv.de
[1] ntv.de https://www.ntv.de/politik/artikel200047326954.html[2] wikidata.org https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q78685847[3] wikidata.org https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1148827[4] eucat.info https://www.eucat.info/en/articles/article_186036.html
- The European Union (EU) is currently boosting its defense spending, but there is a need for alternative strategies, as the U.S. potentially deserting Ukraine might put Europe in a precarious position.
- As the security situation in Europe becomes more critical, there are calls for a European minimum of processes and a maximum of determination, which would involve lean, swift security structures.
- The proposed European Strategic Command Center would be designed to make quick, legitimate, and decisive moves, integrating with existing EU structures such as PESCO, EUMS, or INTCEN.
- The potential for the EU to agree on a policy-and-legislation framework for a European Strategic Command Council is significant, as it could provide a crisis decision-making center to prevent delays and counter potential threats from countries like Russia. This centre could also facilitate joint defense measures among member states and third countries, such as the UK or Norway.
