Jacques Delors Institute’s Post

🌍 [#NATO] Yesterday, Thierry Tardy presented his paper on “The European pilar of NATO” at the Institut de recherche stratégique de l'Ecole militaire (IRSEM) in Brussels. Many thanks to Philippe Perchoc and his entire team for their warm welcome!   🔍Several observations: The concept has reemerged in discussions over the past few years, even though it remains poorly defined. 🔸It conveys the idea of a European defense that would be complementary to NATO. 🔸It acknowledges NATO’s centrality and therefore raises questions about European strategic autonomy. 🔸It also addresses coordination between NATO and the EU—there is certainly an opportunity now for a more inclusive approach. 🔸It can reconcile the idea of European defense with that of a transatlantic link, even if this seems less obvious in today’s context.   📄 In his paper, Thierry Tardy wondered about the ultimate objective of the European pillar: is it about strengthening European defense to compensate for a possible U.S. withdrawal (the French approach), or strengthening the transatlantic link (the German approach)? Four scenarios are possible in response to Trump’s “earthquake”: 1/ Back to normality → This is unlikely but not entirely ruled out. It would probably reinforce NATO’s most Atlanticist members, such as Germany or Poland. 2/ NATO no longer exists → This would likely bring back the idea of strategic autonomy, but there would no longer be a “pillar” because there would be no more NATO. 3/ NATO remains but without the U.S. → Europeans must invest in more coordination, contribution and capabilities. This would mean a Europeanization of NATO, in which NATO becomes the European pillar. 4/ NATO remains but with the U.S. in the background → The European pillar becomes more relevant than ever.   Conclusion: 🔸It is indeed a critical moment, but also a European awakening. Germany’s future chancellor, Merz, spoke of the need for independence from the U.S.—something neither Scholz nor Merkel would ever have phrased in that way. 🔸We clearly need a European Zeitenwende—many fundamental decisions must be made at this juncture. 🔸But we are also facing internal political challenges due to the rise of populist parties across Europe.   To read the paper 👉 https://lnkd.in/eZJXYzb3 Sylvie MATELLY (PhD) Laura De Almeida Bertrand de CORDOUE