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Thanks to Donald Trump, the Old Continent must now quickly find solutions to its military problems.
Everyone has known for a long time: if Donald Trump is re-elected as US president, Europe will have to step up its defense efforts. The relevant political and military committees have been discussing this for some time. “So far, however, no action has been taken,” the Financial Times noted in a background analysis, citing a senior EU security official as saying: “No matter how you explain it, the Europeans will bear a greater defense burden. carry. The only question that remains is whether it will be an orderly process or a chaotic one.”
Warning to Russia: CDU politician Norbert Röttgen.Image: trapezoid
Norbert Röttgen may soon be tackling this issue. The well-known CDU politician and defense expert is likely to become a key member of the next German government after elections next February. In an article in Foreign Affairs magazine, he not only warned that Trump would drastically reduce support for Ukraine and Europe. He also pointed out:
“The bigger risk is that Trump seeks a ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin knows that Trump will face intense domestic political pressure to reach this agreement, but Putin is not under that pressure. This inequality Giving Putin an advantage, such a deal is unlikely to provide Ukraine, and indeed Europe, with sufficient security against future Russian aggression. It would also question NATO's credibility and shake up European security if Washington approved Moscow's war goals. Base.”
Europe's security depends on NATO, and without the Americans, NATO becomes a paper tiger. This is also well known. Even if the last remaining members of the alliance are now willing to meet their financial obligations—spending at least two percent of gross domestic product on the military—and even if the understandings are reached as described above, there are still many questions.
Dependence on the United States remains high. Most of the weapons come from overseas, such as F-35 fighter jets. NATO relies on another American jet, for better or worse, and that's the C17. This cargo plane costs US$340 million and can transport 75 tons of cargo 4,500 kilometers.
Switzerland also ordered them: F-35.Image: trapezoid
There is huge systemic confusion in European-made weapons. According to a McKinsey study, Americans know 32 different system types, while Europeans know 172. Even for 155mm artillery shells – which proved so important in the war in Ukraine – there are more than a dozen different systems.
“We have to reorganize the European defense industry. There are too many platforms,” Pierroberto Folgiero, head of Italian defense company Fincantieri, explained in the Financial Times. “But the defense industry is booming and there is widespread concern about the country's leading enterprises. Why the merger? “It requires a lot of political will. “
There are also unresolved political issues, such as who should be in charge of NATO. So far, this is ultimately something Americans haven't had any discussion about. If the United States withdraws its troops — even partially — the problem will arise again. Former British Air Marshal Edward Stringer worried in the Financial Times that an ugly infighting could break out: “Can you imagine Macron deferring to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk? And vice versa? The U.S. military Hegemony has dragged down everyone.”
Finally, there is the issue of financing. Rotgen rightly points out that the economic potential to counter Putin exists. After all, the EU’s GDP is ten times that of Russia. “What's holding Europe back is a lack of political will,” Roetgen said.
NATO Supreme Commander Christopher Cavalli.Image: trapezoid
As with the COVID-19 aid package, common government bonds are needed to fund defense spending. But the Germans and the Dutch are particularly vehemently opposed to Eurobonds, and they still think they are the devil.
Regardless, the financing issue must be resolved because even if there is peace in Ukraine – which is a big if – the problem will not go away. Europe must learn to defend itself. The hope that Russia will continue to be weakened for decades to come is an illusion. NATO chief Christopher Cavalli has warned that Russian forces will emerge from the war “even stronger than they are today.”
history of nato
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history of nato
1949: On April 4, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington. The alliance originally had twelve members: Belgium, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the United States.
Source: EPA/National Archives/National Archives and Records Administration/Handout
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