ALL ARTICLES

Awake Now? The US and Europe

The new US National Security Strategy is surprising only for those determined to ignore reality. By Edward Lucas In an ideal, imagined world, the US is a wise, friendly, and eternal mentor to its European allies. It uncomplainingly shoulders the burden of military and diplomatic leadership. It does not push its own interests too hard, whatever American voters may want. Against the background of such wholly unrealistic assumptions, the new US National Security Strategy inde

6 days ago

The Baltic: A NATO Lake With Crocodiles

Is the Baltic now a NATO lake? Changing strategic geography, and the accession of Sweden and Finland to alliance membership might make it seem so, but the reality is more fraught. NATO exercise in the Baltic Sea / Source U.S. Navy Eight of the Baltic Sea states are now in NATO, and just one littoral country, Russia, is not. That might seem a mismatch of force — the so-called NATO lake — but appearances can be deceptive, and no one should underestimate the ability of Moscow’

Dec 5

Ukraine’s drone war lesson for Europe: Technology is nothing without training

Source: 47th separate mechanized brigade As Europe races to strengthen its defenses against the mounting threat posed by Russian drones, more and more countries are looking to learn from Ukraine’s experience. Speaking in October, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen acknowledged that Ukraine is currently a world leader in drone warfare and called on her European colleagues to “take all the experiences, all the new technology, all the innovation from Ukraine, and put it in

Nov 26

Awake But Groggy: Europe’s Shadow Warfare Guardians

The EU is doing well in some areas but as attacks rise, much more continent-wide cooperation is needed. Prime Minister Tusk confirmed the incident on Warsaw–Lublin railway line was an act of sabotage. Source: Donald Tusk / X/ Press materials The purpose of shadow warfare attacks on European countries by Russia and its proxies is multifaceted: to test the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, to destabilize societies and governments, and to provoke reactions that undermine

Nov 20

Needed: Robust Comms to Foil Russia’s Saboteurs

Communications systems are being targeted by NATO’s enemies. New technology is needed to ensure decision-makers are not blinded by attacks. A critical fiber optic cable next to a Swedish highway of significant strategic military importance was found cut in several places in October. Such attacks are becoming commonplace — police have investigated around 30 acts of sabotage attacks, mostly along the same road, according to a June report. The implications are profoundly worry

Nov 14

Guns Not Missiles Will Defeat the Drone

Missiles are not a panacea for air defense. Europe needs a return to guns – they’re cheaper and more practical. Photo: 115 separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine For decades, defense departments and the defense industry have pushed missiles as the solution to target destruction. The tank? Use a missile. The helicopter? Use a missile. And the low-flying MiG-29 or cruise missile? Don’t worry, we have missiles for that. But this reliance ignores the lessons

Nov 6

Civilian Technology is Key to European Defense

Europe must harness dual-use technology to more swiftly deliver battlefield innovation. Kraken Technology Group picture Dual-use is not new, and Europe has a proud history of commercial-military innovation. In World War I, Renault adapted industrial expertise to create the pioneering FT tank , while in World War II, Ford’s UK plants pivoted to produce tanks, shipyards retooled and Bletchley Park fused government, industry and academia to crack codes and pioneer early computin

Oct 31

Learning Polish Lessons From Russian Attacks

Poland’s battle against cyberattacks should be a warning and an example for the West as governments seek to counter their enemies’ hybrid tactics. Source: Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London A hospital was forced to suspend operations. A city’s water network was infiltrated . Dozens of daily cyberattacks are hammering Poland’s municipal systems. This is the new normal in an era of irregular warfare. Officials report 20 to 50 attacks a day , with most blocked, but s

Oct 27