The European pillar in NATO: from hollow to concrete

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung cordially invites you to a breakfast discussion marking the launch of our forthcoming study ‘The European pillar in NATO: from hollow to concrete’ by Dr Leonard Schütte. 

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and President Trump’s revision of 80 years of US Europe policy have shaken the foundations of the European security order. As a result, the debate about the future of NATO has returned with a vengeance. It is near consensual among Europeans that they need to strengthen the ‘European pillar in NATO’. 

However, the concept of the European pillar remains vague and details scarce, thus risking that the concept remains a hollow soundbite. This study traces the evolution of the concept of the European pillar, delineates potential meaning, and spells out what it would take to operationalize it. Moreover, it offers urgently needed analytical clarity on two different models of NATO - a stronger European pillar or a Europeanized alliance - arguing that they need not be mutually exclusive.

Join us to reflect on the study's conclusions and discuss the strategic consequences of its findings. 

With: 

• Dr Leonard Schütte, International Security Program Fellow, Belfer Center, Harvard University

Moderated by: Dr Katharina Emschermann, Head of Programme - EU and International Politics, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU | Global Dialogue

Please register here. This event is subject to the Chatham House Rule. 

Contact: Georg McCutcheon, EU Policy Advisor (mccutcheon@boell.de)