Defence policy Archives

The idea of creating a powerful EU army continues to divide opinion in neutral Austria. Critics of the plan say its neutrality is incompatible with joint military cooperation. EURACTIV Germany reports.

The European Commission proposed today to mobilise €39 billion by 2027 to support the joint development of military capabilities and suggested a NATO-type solidarity clause to respond to cyber attacks.

Seemingly, 25 May was the ‘Day the Music Died’ at NATO. Few have missed the turmoil around US President Donald Trump’s Brussels visit. But the real story has flown under the radar, reveals Anna Wieslander.

German army research shows that German citizens would support NATO military action in defence of a fellow alliance member, in stark contrast to another study that said the very opposite.

As politicians in France and Germany debate launching a common European defence policy, Jean-Thomas Lesueur rings the alarm over the worrying state of the continent’s military capabilities.

European approval of NATO is on the rise, according to a US study. Germans support the alliance too but in a conflict with Russia, only a minority would back defending a partner country. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said Thursday (18 May) remaining differences over a planned military headquarters had been resolved and it could be formally launched in a few days.

EXCLUSIVE / Julianne Smith was the head of Hillary Clinton’s Europe team during last year's presidential campaign. In an interview with EURACTIV.com, she said Hillary had a dedicated team and a detailed strategy for Europe ready to start from day one in the White House.

China launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier yesterday (26 April), amid rising tensions over North Korea, regional concerns about Beijing's assertiveness in the South China Sea and the country's broader military modernisation program.

Global expenditure on weapons has risen for the second year in a row. Germany has increased its spending and opposition politicians want a new debate about defence. The issue could become crucial in the end-of-year elections. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Angela Merkel’s main rival in this year’s German election said today (10 April) he would stress disarmament rather than military spending if he becomes chancellor after September’s vote, rejecting US pressure to spend more on defence.

At first, the Russian approach was to admit to everything. Well, almost. Following the first reports of the Syrian chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun on Tuesday, the defence ministry appeared almost too willing to confirm what happened.

Russia has developed the capability to launch an attack on the Baltic States with as little as 24 hours' notice, limiting NATO's options to respond other than to have military forces already deployed in the region, Lithuania's intelligence service said today (3 April).

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has written to the leaders of the US Senate urging the ratification of Montenegro as the newest member of the NATO alliance, saying it is "strongly in the interests of the United States."

Calls for a more militarised Europe have grown and grown, while the EU Council recently concluded that “Europe must commit additional resources” to defence. But increasing military expenditure is not the way forward, warn Bram Vranken and Laëtitia Sédou.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to skip a meeting with NATO foreign ministers next month in order to stay home for a visit by China's president and will go to Russia later in April, US officials said yesterday (20 March), disclosing an itinerary that allies may see as giving Moscow priority over them.

The enemy isn’t just at the gates. The enemy is within. Europe is facing multiple fronts in the battle to preserve peace and security for its citizens.

Long treated as a marginal aspect of the European Union’s wider Common and Security Policy, defence has emerged as a top priority on the European agenda. Successive EU and member state initiatives in 2016 have catapulted defence to centre-stage, writes Jorge Domecq.

A meeting between the Austrian and German foreign ministers in Vienna yesterday (27 February) revealed where the two countries are aligned and where they aren’t on the same page. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Donald Trump expressed support for the European Union on Thursday (23 February), which is surprising against the background previous remarks.

Global arms deals have reached their highest level since the end of the Cold War, according to one study. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Today brought the US vice-president’s first official visit to Brussels and the first taste of the Trump Tea Party for presidents Juncker and Tusk.

US Vice-President Mike Pence on Saturday (18 February) led a chorus of reassurance for allies rattled by Donald Trump's policy stance, but European leaders gave the pledges a lukewarm welcome.

The Western world order as we know it is at risk, according to the annual Munich Security Report. Euractiv Germany reports.