Unshackled, Not Usurped: Europe Needs a Security Council of the Engaged
Strengthening a Security Council composed of committed nations in Europe is crucial.
The US departure from European defense isn't just whispers anymore. While Europe scrambles to raise its defense funds, its effectiveness remains hamstrung. It's high time to explore uncharted paths.
Brussels' endless talks among EU governments seem antiquated when it comes to its security. We need a European minimum of decisive action, not endless debate. Our era demands agility and commitment, not stagnation.
The onus is on us to fill the security vacuum left by the US. If the U.S. abdicates Ukraine, it leaves Europe hanging by a thread. The time has come for us to step up and seize the reins of our security fate.
Russia is flexing its muscles, both verbally through state media and militarily as per our intelligence reports. Their growing military aggressiveness towards the EU is a genuine concern, not a distant threat. Those who hold out for Brussels' policy changes will be too late to save the day.
We need new, lean, and agile security structures to complement our existing ones. At the helm: a European Security Council, a strategic nerve center that can act promptly, lawfully, and decisively.
Our guidelines are simple: not the whole EU, not just the EU, not without the EU.
"Not the whole EU" means we need a core Europe for defense. Not every EU member has to take part, and not all have to agree. The Europe of different speeds is a reality, and in defense policy, it's now a necessity. We must be able to shed individual member states that lack the will or trust. We don't need Viktor Orbán, Hungary's prime minister, who's in bed with Putin, if he refuses to defend EU interests.
"Not just the EU" means we need an open door towards a coalition of the engaged. Third countries like Britain, Norway, and others should be welcome if they're prepared to pool their resources with ours. Europe's security doesn't end at the EU's borders.
"Not without the EU" stands for anchoring new formats in existing EU structures. New arrangements should not drift in an institutional void. PESCO, EU Military Staff, or EU Intelligence and Situation Centre offer ideal docking points. This way, we can leverage synergies instead of fostering new rivalries.
Yet, this structure offers little benefit if not guided wisely and firmly. A strategic decision-making center is essential to be actionable. Resources won't bring security if they're not wielded with intelligence.
Therefore, we need an actionable Security Council, not a debating society. The United Nations paved the way 80 years ago: the UN Security Council showed leadership and made crucial decisions at its peak. Europe could follow suit.
What could it look like? Founding members could include: the President of the European Parliament, the EU countries with the highest defense spending in absolute and relative numbers, and a non-EU state with substantial contributions. However, the Security Council shouldn't remain statically staffed. Every two years, members should be re-elected by a qualified majority of the members of the cooperative union to maintain our responsiveness and secure our strategic direction.
The Security Council should have the power to declare a defense emergency when necessary, providing a legal basis for national mobilizations, joint defense measures, and EU-wide action. It should also serve for joint procurements or coordination of joint defense and industry initiatives beforehand to ensure strategic readiness.
Currently, the European Union is a slumbering titan. Economically, we rank second behind the US - as a market and trading power. But in defense policy, Europe remains crippled, despite the rhetoric. We have the strength, but we're not deploying it effectively. A European Security Council would ensure that our strength is also our shield.
[1] Khan, R. (2021, April 14). Europe needs a Security Council of the Willing. ntv.de. https://www.ntv.de/politik/Europa-braucht-von-unique-engel-100664915.html[2] Wenner, C. (2021, April 15). Europa braucht einen Sicherheitsrat – so könnte er aussehen. accordingtoangela.eu. https://accordingtoangela.eu/europa-braucht-einen-sicherheitsrat/
- EU
- Defense Policy
- Security Policy
- Strategic Autonomy
- The EU should consider strengthening its defense policy to promote strategic autonomy, steering clear of the stagnation that characterizes endless debates.
- The proposed European Security Council serves as a strategic nerve center, ready to act promptly, lawfully, and decisively, complementing existing structures instead of creating new rivalries.
- The Security Council, if established, should have the power to declare a defense emergency, ensuring joint procurements, and coordination beforehand to ensure strategic readiness.
- As the EU continues to work towards its security, it must abide by policy changes and agreements that align with the needs of the era, abandoning the antiquated notion of a debating society in favor of a more agile and action-oriented approach.
