Brussels Playbook Podcast Can the EU defend Ukraine (and itself)?
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Feb 9, 2024 
"EU Confidential" welcomes Florence Gaub, director of research at the NATO Defence College, and Ivo Daalder, former US ambassador to NATO. They discuss the "Europeanization of NATO," Europe's defense capabilities, vulnerabilities, and the potential consequences of a lack of reliance on the US. They also explore practical steps for European countries to defend themselves and the challenges they face in defense production and increased spending on defense.
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Leverage NATO Structures Fast
- Use NATO's existing integrated command rather than building a parallel alliance to scale quickly.
- Europe must make NATO structures workable without American dependence to keep credible deterrence.
Peace Project Vs. Military Posture
- The EU's normative, peace-first identity challenges adopting an aggressive defense posture.
- Florence warns Europe must mentally accept using force to deter adversaries effectively.
Public Reluctance Limits Rapid Militarisation
- Public willingness to use violent means for defense is low in some states, notably the Netherlands and Germany.
- This cultural reluctance complicates rebuilding conscription or rapid force expansion.