Ahead of the hearing of Commissioner designate for defence&space Andrius Kubilius, my latest for European Parliamentary Research Service outlines the various proposals which could be part of a White Paper on #EUdefence - a Ursula von der Leyen 100 day commitment. Special thanks to Panos Politis europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/d… via

1) What sorts of scenarios could await Europe in event of Trump 2.0? My colleagues Jeremy Shapiro, Majda Ruge & Célia Belin outlined six: - Minsk 3.0 - China crisis - IRA for fossil fuels - NATO on ice - escalation in Middle E - an illiberal international ecfr.eu/publication/im…

Feels slightly more urgent today so here’s the table from the briefing I posted yesterday listing the concrete proposals on the table on how the EU can finance its defence industry, boost its defence capabilities, increase efficiency in procurement and level up on defence

I can't take another 4 years of policy papers, op-eds and panel discussions about European strategic autonomy. I'm begging European governments to just buy tanks. Add assembly lines, build factories, order ammunition. Get more drones, fly more planes. Make sure ships can sail.

Sweden🇸🇪blocked construction of 13 offshore wind farms over national security concerns, citing reduced early-warning time for potential Russian missile threats. A sign of how security is reshaping decisions once seen as purely civilian. More Defense News defensenews.com/global/europe/…

Women: Mission Essential Personnel csis.org/analysis/women…

We are deeply saddened to share that Dunkirk and Market Garden veteran Ray Whitwell died yesterday - he was 105. A wonderful man who as his daughter Jill said 'had that twinkle in his eye and a lovely smile' Stand at Ease Sir - your service is done express.co.uk/news/uk/197883…

A reminder: Vladimir Putin could end the war in Ukraine right now, just by ordering his soldiers to go home. No need for treaties or negotiations.

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I have no words...

Iets wat mij enorm irriteert is hoe hierover wordt gecommuniceerd: alsof het iets in de toekomst betreft. Als we nu eens actieve taal gebruiken, zou dat de attitude & mate van urgentie verspoedigen? We PAKKEN een grotere rol in het waarborgen van de veiligheid ons continent

This is a brilliant examination of mission focus, rapid technical innovation and the smashing of bureaucratic obstacles to achieve tactical and strategic outcomes. Thanks James Holland substack.com/@james1940/not…

With Jack Watling - We take a look at what the requirements might look like for a European force in Ukraine. Bottom line, this is not an insurmountable task, but will require proper resourcing and difficult political choices. War on the Rocks warontherocks.com/2025/03/willpo…

Union und SPD einigen sich auf Milliardenkredite für Verteidigung und Infrastruktur tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/eil… #Eilmeldung

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What a headline... Germany overcomes history and prepares for war abc.net.au/listen/program… via ABC Australia

Another one... UK must 'actively prepare' for potential of war in the 'homeland', review warns news.sky.com/story/uk-must-…