Former EU President Urges European Military Buildup Amidst US Uncertainty
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José Manuel durão Barroso,the former President of the European commission,is advocating for a substantial increase in European military spending and a more assertive military posture for the European Union. His push comes amidst growing concerns about the potential for reduced US support for Ukraine and a broader shift in transatlantic relations under the Trump management.
Barroso’s recent comments at Chatham House highlight a growing sentiment among European leaders.He explicitly stated,”NATO membership is now de facto impractical and EU accession distant and problematic. If Trump fails to strike a deal [with Putin] and withdraws support for ukraine, then Britain, France, and Germany will not be able to offer credible security guarantees.”
This call for increased military preparedness is not entirely new. Barroso points to the EU’s pandemic-related debt accumulation as a potential funding source. “As the bloc raised £800 billion [$1 trillion USD] in debt during the pandemic,” he noted, ”the possibility of joint borrowing for defense is now on the table.” This suggests a important shift in the EU’s approach to defense spending and cooperation.
Barroso’s past is also relevant to his current stance. His early involvement with the Movement for Reconstituting the Proletarian Party (MRPP), a controversial group in Portugal, has been a subject of scrutiny. According to the newspaper Expresso, Barroso himself admitted joining the MRPP as a means to counter the influence of the Portuguese Communist Party. This involvement, coupled with allegations of US funding for the MRPP, adds a layer of complexity to his current advocacy for a stronger European defense.
The implications of Barroso’s proposal are far-reaching. A significant increase in European military spending could reshape the geopolitical landscape,possibly altering the balance of power in Europe and impacting the transatlantic relationship. The potential for joint borrowing for defense also raises questions about the future of European integration and fiscal policy.
The debate surrounding Barroso’s proposal is likely to intensify in the coming months. His call for a stronger, more self-reliant European defense posture reflects a growing unease among European leaders about the reliability of US security guarantees and the need for the EU to take greater responsibility for its own security.
Europe’s shifting sands: A New Cold War and the Future of the Atlantic Alliance
A recent address by former European Union President José Manuel Barroso has ignited debate about the future of European defense and the transatlantic relationship. Barroso’s vision, delivered at a prominent think tank, paints a picture of a europe increasingly focused on military spending and a renewed confrontation with Russia, potentially reshaping the global political landscape.
barroso’s proposal advocates for a significant increase in European defense spending, even if it means accumulating more debt. This, he argues, is necessary to bolster the EU’s (and Britain’s) competitiveness against the US and China. He explicitly supports former European central Bank President Mario Draghi’s plan to boost EU competitiveness, a plan that could add another trillion dollars in debt, or up to 5% of the EU’s GDP.
his vision centers on a “new war economy,” prioritizing a permanent state of readiness against Russia. The alignment between Barroso’s approach and that of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defense Secretary John Healey is striking.Barroso asserts, “Where it was once thoght—notably by britain—that a European defense policy would threaten NATO. No longer. The conditions are building to develop a common defense policy that can become the European pillar of the transatlantic alliance.”
While acknowledging that not all EU members agree on this confrontational stance towards Russia,Barroso insists,”While an asymmetry of interests exists among EU member states on these issues,the reality is that ther is a critical mass for progress towards a stronger European defense.” This statement signals a departure from the traditional EU consensus-based decision-making, suggesting a shift towards a more assertive, less unified approach.
Barroso also sees Italian prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s shift away from Euroscepticism as a potential foundation for a new right-wing consensus within the EU, one that could counter the rise of right-wing populism that clashes with Atlanticism. He acknowledges the resonance of “Trump’s ability to speak to the genuine concerns of U.S. citizens, notably on issues related to the purchasing power of middle to low-income households and matters of public security, rising crime, and illegal immigration,” finding a parallel in the anxieties fueling European politics.
Underlying Barroso’s proposals is a deep concern about the stability of the Atlantic alliance. He worries that the pursuit of U.S.national interests, or more specifically, the competing interests of factions within U.S. monopoly capital,could pose a significant economic challenge to an already fragile European economy.
The current Labor government in the UK appears to be actively working to re-establish Britain as a key player in the evolving relationship between the U.S. and Europe. Their focus,as representatives of the ruling class,is on maintaining capitalist stability and profitability,requiring a recalibration of Britain’s ties with both the U.S.and the EU.
The implications of these shifts are far-reaching, and it’s clear that the resolution of these issues will not benefit working people. This is a 21st-century capitalist crisis affecting both the economy and politics.
Source adapted from Morning Star
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Europe’s Future: A Call for Military Buildup Amidst Transatlantic Uncertainty
As tensions rise between the US and China, and questions swirl around America’s commitment to European security, former EU President José Manuel Barroso is calling for a significant ramp-up of European military spending. This bold proposal, outlined in a recent speech at Chatham House, suggests a future where the EU takes a more assertive role on the global stage, perhaps reshaping the transatlantic relationship and the balance of power in Europe.
A “New War Economy” for Europe
Barroso’s vision is stark: a Europe permanently prepared for confrontation with Russia,fueled by increased military spending and a willingness to take on more debt.This vision echoes former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi’s plan to boost EU competitiveness even if it means exceeding debt limits – a strategy that could add trillions of dollars to the EU’s debt burden.
“Where it was once thought – notably by Britain – that a European defense policy would threaten NATO, no longer. The conditions are building to develop a common defense policy that can become the European pillar of the transatlantic alliance,” Barroso asserts.
Shifting Sands in the Atlantic Alliance
Barroso sees a convergence of interests between the UK, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and a more militarily ambitious EU. This could signal a new era of cooperation, one driven by a shared desire for greater European autonomy and a willingness to confront a resurgent Russia.
However, this shift comes at a time of growing unease within the EU itself. While acknowledging divisions among member states on this issue, Barroso believes there is enough support for a stronger European defense to move forward, indicating a potential departure from the traditional consensus-based decision-making model.
Furthermore, Barroso sees the rise of right-wing populism across Europe as a potential threat to the transatlantic alliance. He finds common ground between the anxieties fueling this trend and the “genuine concerns” that propelled Donald Trump to the US presidency – issues like economic insecurity, crime and immigration.
He argues that a recalibrated right-wing consensus within the EU, spearheaded by figures like Italian Prime minister Giorgia Meloni, could provide a more stable platform for a strong european defense.
The Future of a Fractured World
Underlying barroso’s proposal is a deep sense of disillusionment with the current state of the Atlantic alliance. He fears that the united States, driven by its own domestic politics and economic interests, may no longer be a reliable guarantor of European security.
This moment of uncertainty presents both a challenge and an chance for Europe. While Barroso’s vision for a more militarized Europe might appeal to some, others will see it as a dangerous escalation with potentially devastating consequences.
One thing is certain: the future of Europe, and its relationship with the United States, hangs in the balance.
