Security and defence

EU nukes, EU army, EU Defence Commissioner – the debate on European security and defence is heating up. It feels like every week a new political proposal is made. So we asked three questions to Sara Nanni, Member of the German Bundestag and the Green parliamentary group’s spokesperson on defence policy, on how she views the latest developments.

The Europe that will go to the polls in June 2024 is very different from that of 2019. Pandemic recovery, the climate and energy crisis, war in the continent, and the rise of the far right are all driving the narratives of the electoral campaign, but also mobilising progressive forces. Roderick Kefferpütz interviews MEP Terry Reintke, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group and Spitzenkandidatin for the European Greens, on Green solutions for Europe in uncertain and volatile times.

The 2024 US presidential election will be closely watched. After all, the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House would have a significant effect on Europe’s security dynamics with profound implications for the European Union. This is raising some uncomfortable questions. Webinar with Max Bergmann (Center for Strategic & International studies), Jana Puglierin (European Council on Foreign Relations, Berlin), Steven Everts (EU Institute for Security Studies), moderated by Teresa Eder, Program Director Foreign & Security Policy, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Washington, DC.

The 24th Foreign Policy Conference of the Heinrich Böll Foundation focusses on current debates around the future of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy with special emphasis on the outlook for a post-national European Security Order, including an EU Army and an independent EU nuclear deterrent. Another focus of the Expert conference is the search for a new balance in transatlantic burden sharing in three crisis regions: the Western Balkans, the Indo-Pacific and Ukraine. How much US engagement is still needed, and which role can Europe play for the security of these regions?

The United Kingdom has developed its contribution to European security in the context of its withdrawal from the EU. However, a more formal relationship between the two in the areas of foreign, security and defence policy remains to be desired.

With US support waning, European nations could be much more in a bind to step up and provide streamlined military aid for Ukraine in 2024. While the war in Ukraine lead to replenished national defense budgets, different interests and agendas so far have prevented substantial European collaboration.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine did change how Germany thinks about its own security and its relationship with Russia, says Christina Keßler. But the country is still wary of playing a major role in European defence. With Russia unlikely to attack NATO territory soon, Britain should not assume that Germany will take on a leadership role on European security.

Brexit and Britain’s Indo-Pacific tilt may have convinced Germany that the UK is no longer interested in defence co-operation, writes James Rogers. That would be a mistake. The two can build on each other’s strengths in NATO and in the defence of Ukraine.