Defending Europe

After four tense decades of the Cold War and a subsequent period of relative stability across much of Europe, is the continent once again under threat? And are Europeans prepared to face the growing risks and strategic challenges of the second quarter of the 21st century? This ISPI Report, crafted for both expert readers and a broader audience, traces the evolution of Europe's defense architecture on two parallel tracks: the defense of Europe, fundamentally underpinned by NATO and shaped through its continual adaptation; and the pursuit of a distinctly European defense identity, increasingly advanced through the European Union. It examines the intersections, overlaps, tensions, and pivotal turning points in this dual process, exploring institutional and organizational frameworks, strategies and doctrines, missions and operations, as well as military and industrial capabilities. The storyline leads to 2025, a symbolic crossroads that may mark the end of one era and the beginning of another: a moment when Europeans will be called upon to assume full responsibility for their own security and defense. Will they rise to the challenge?