Rally Together, Europe: A Security Council of the Willing is the Answer
Strengthening a Mutual Defense Alliance Among Voluntary European Nations
The US pulling out of European defense is becoming a tangible reality. While the EU scrambles to allocate funds for defense, it remains stuck in the mud. It's high time to break free from the old ways and tread new paths.
If the US abandons Ukraine, it's the EU that will bear the responsibility for the nation's survival. The EU must now step up to the plate and demonstrate its true potential in defense policy. From Brussels, I can see the writing on the wall: Amidst the endless chatter of the 27 member states, action is needed, not more words.
We can't afford to sit idle. Russia is gearing up, both verbally and militarily, according to our intelligence services. Those who now wait for bureaucratic changes in Brussels will be too late. We need new, agile security structures to stand side by side with the established ones. At the helm: a nimble European Security Council, capable of making swift, sound, and resolute decisions.
Three core principles should guide this new council: Not the whole EU, Not only EU, Not without EU.
"Not the whole EU" means: We need a core EU for defense. Not every EU member needs to participate, nor does every member need to agree. Europe of different speeds is a reality; in defense policy, it's now a necessity. It should be possible to leave individual member states out if their will or our trust in them is lacking. We won't be waiting for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who seems to be in Putin's corner, if he doesn't wish to join.
"Only Willing" means: We need to open up to a coalition of the willing. Even third countries like Britain or Norway should be included if they are prepared to pool their resources with ours. Europe's security doesn't end at its borders.
"Without EU" implies a connection to existing EU structures. The PESCO platform offers an ideal docking point, as interested member states are already coordinating their defense capabilities here. But we can also look to the EU Military Staff (EUMS) or the Intelligence Analysis and Reporting of the EU (INTCEN) for synergies instead of creating new competitions.
A truly effective Security Council is essential if we are to convert our strength into action. No matter how large our defense budget, it won't secure our safety if it's not wisely and effectively utilized.
Europe needs an effective Security Council - not a debating platform, but an emergency decision-making body. The United Nations set the example 80 years ago when their Security Council made pivotal decisions and demonstrated strong leadership. Europe could follow in their footsteps.
The exact decision-making powers can be negotiated, but at the very least, the council should have the power to declare a defense emergency when necessary. This would serve as a legal basis for national mobilizations and joint defense measures among member states. Even before an emergency arises, the Security Council could pave the way for joint procurements or the coordination of joint defense and industry initiatives.
Currently, the European Union is a sleeping giant. Economically, we're second only to the US. But in defense policy, despite the right rhetoric, Europe remains dormant. An EU Security Council would ensure that this potential power is truly effective.
- Politics
- European Defense Policy
- Security Strategy
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Proposals for a European Security Council as a strategic decision-making center for defense policy are not explicitly detailed in the provided search results, but we can infer some general principles and challenges relevant to such a structure based on broader discussions about European security and defense reforms.
Proposed Features and Challenges for a Stronger European Defense Structure
- Integration and Flexibility: A new European security framework might aim to integrate different areas of security policy, moving beyond the current narrow focus on defense budgets. It would need to allow for more flexible and differentiated cooperation, enabling various degrees of participation among member states.
- Addressing Weaknesses in Current Structures: The current Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) faces challenges such as outdated governance, operational constraints, and inadequate financial resources. A new security council could address these by creating a more streamlined structure for decision-making and operational planning.
- Strategic Autonomy: A key goal for the EU is achieving strategic autonomy, which involves developing the capacity for autonomous action, backed by credible military forces. However, current efforts have not fully addressed this need, indicating a gap in providing the EU with the means to decide and act independently in international crises.
- Enhanced Democratic Accountability: For legitimacy, new structures should incorporate more citizen involvement and ensure democratic accountability for key EU-level decisions. This would involve greater transparency and participation from European citizens in shaping defense policies.
- Institutional Changes: Implementing a European Security Council might require changes to the existing institutional framework. This could involve reforms to enhance strategic agility and adaptability, moving away from rigid structures that hinder swift decision-making.
- The European Union, in its quest for stronger defense policies, is contemplating the formation of a European Security Council, aimed at providing strategic decision-making for the continent's defense.
- European policy makers are advocating for flexibility within the new security structure, enabling varying degrees of participation among member states to cater to diverse capabilities and interests.
- The aim is to address the weaknesses in current structures like the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) by streamlining decision-making and operational planning processes.
- As part of the drive towards strategic autonomy, the European Security Council could provide the EU with the means to make independent decisions in international crises, backed by credible military forces.
