In a recent article published by the German Marshall Fund of the US, BWC Member Dr. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer describes the current transition from a US-led to a Europe-led security order. She describes how the Trump administration’s reduction in military capabilities in Europe marks the beginning of a structural burden-shift that has never occurred before. Scheffer points out that Europe is beginning to spend as if preparing for wartime while still planning for peacetime, claiming that closing this gap will be central to the defense policy challenge. According to Scheffer, closing this gap requires three steps. She states the first step is for Europe to simultaneously rebuild its defense-industrial base while urgently closing immediate capability gaps. She states the second step is to include the private sector, encouraging policymakers to treat technology companies as strategic partners engaged in setting industrial priorities. Finally, she claims the third step is to encourage the US to support Europe in building its own industrial base rather than treating it as a competitive threat.  Overall, Scheffer states that the NATO summit in Ankara will allow the chance for allies to formalize a new framework and decide on the best way to move forward. 

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All views expressed by members are their own and not reflective of the views of the Bretton Woods Committee.