Europe’s new German question

Many EU countries, starting with Germany, assume that higher defense spending will automatically generate the capabilities needed to keep Europe secure. But if they pursue such spending in isolation, they will merely perpetuate the fragmented, outdated defense system that has left them dependent on the US for more than 70 years — and possibly even create new risks. When it comes to defense, Europe has three main problems: outdated technology, lack of scale and ineffective governance. The Ukraine war has thrown all three into sharp relief.