Development of a joint defence shield would be politically explosive for Keir Starmer. But it’s an idea whose time has comeThe startling contempt for Europe’s intensifying security concerns displayed by Donald Trump and his henchmen has brought an old, controversial question back to the fore: should Britain and France pool their nuclear weapons capabilities and create a Europe-wide defensive nuclear shield to deter Vladimir Putin’s Russia, if the US reduces or withdraws its support?Trump has not so far explicitly threatened to cut US nuclear forces based in Europe. But speaking last week, the president said he wanted to halve the US’s defence spending, especially on nuclear weapons. Trump often denigrates Nato, keystone of European security. Last year, he encouraged Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to member states that, in his view, spend too little on defence. Continue reading...
The article discusses Europe's growing security concerns amid the U.S.'s withdrawal from supporting European defense. France's President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a Europe-wide nuclear defense shield, integrating France's nuclear deterrent into a collective defense framework. This initiative aims to protect Europe from potential threats, especially as U.S. support wanes. While some European leaders, like Germany's Manfred Weber, support the idea, others, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and anti-nuclear parties, oppose it. The UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces political challenges in considering this proposal. The plan raises questions about control, funding, and whether it might accelerate U.S. disengagement.
