The idea of a European Defence Union is gaining ground across Europe. But so long as Nato continues to dominate Europe's security, the prospect of building its own effective defence union will remain elusive. To become sovereign in defence matters (and more generally), Europe must terminate Nato -- a prospect as unlikely as it is necessary.
Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister who is now Nato's secretary general, recently let slip a truth that drew gasps from across Europe. He described the alliance not merely as Europe's defensive shield but as " … a platform for the United States to project power on the world stage", and that "making use of key assets here in Europe" is "crucial also for the success of this American‑Israeli campaign" in Iran.
