The European Union: Gearing Up for War

Two years since the infamous Paris attacks, the European Union finally looks set to streamline its military cooperation. 23 member countries agreed on a program to join investment efforts in military equipment and research. The proposed fund of 5 billion euro would be used to ensure greater commitment from all European nations, with another fund of unspecified amount dedicated to funding joint security operations. German chancellor Angela Merkel made clear that it is time for the EU to step up, but she also remarked on the importance of continuing to include the United Kingdom and United States in these international efforts.

The same Monday, France mourned on the second anniversary of the terror attacks that killed 130 and wounded over 600 people at Stade de France arena, Bataclan concert hall and two restaurants. The country’s lengthy state of emergency gave police extreme powers and redefined the balance between liberty and security. It has been of some use; the interior minister says that 13 potential attacks were prohibited in 2017 alone, some born of international conspiracies. Furthermore, 7,000 French soldiers have been stationed across the country to protect anticipated targets. But even with these new powers of widespread surveillance and unwarranted detention, French police were unable to stop the deaths of two Marseilles civilians and the loss of one of their own on the Champs-Élysées.

In this tense climate, the joint military program promises that unity isn’t quite out the door.

Following the attacks in France, Germany, Sweden and Britain, among others, it was often found that the perpetrators had previously been on national watchlists. However, they were able to travel freely throughout Europe and, due to a lack of cooperation in the Continent, evade police while they carried out their plans.

Now it seems most of the EU members have learned their lesson, the United Kingdom, who opposed this type of measure for years, excluded. The other members that didn’t sign: Denmark, Ireland, Malta and Portugal. Agreeing that NATO sometimes inhibited necessary action in conjunction with other countries, the EU members on board decided to take action to supplement the current organization. As one statement put it, “[It is intended to] help reinforce the E.U.’s strategic autonomy to act alone when necessary, and with partners whenever possible.”

The new initiative will go a long way to cutting down on fragmented military efforts in each of the member nations. A unified purpose and more widespread access to the same information will likely see to a safer Europe. The European chief of foreign policy touted it as a historic moment, and it may be that he is right.

This program began to appear in discussions after Russia’s annexation of Crimea; the EU found itself unable to take meaningful action through regular channels. Now, with tensions are still just as high and populist movements are on the rise. At the Polish Independence Day march, which many argue has been coopted by right-wing followers, 60,000 people carried flares and flags. Some news sources even documented signs that read “pure blood, clear mind” or Nazi and Christian iconography. This in the country that lived through some of the worst moments of the Second World War. The Polish president has since denounced the demonstrators, but that doesn’t lessen their numbers or sentiments.

In this tense climate, the joint military program promises that unity isn’t quite out the door. It provides a relieving alternative to the headlines that prophesy a European downfall. Even as the United States president mars decades of progress, the leaders of the EU have decided to finally rely on themselves. With this amount of support from most countries in the bloc, the agreement should be made formal at a summit meeting for European leaders next month.