The Fight to Revive Europe's Militaries Is Just Beginning
The pledge by NATO members to spend 3.5% of gross domestic product on military capabilities and 1.5% on defense infrastructure is the alliance's boldest commitment in decades. It concedes a basic truth: Russia's war in Ukraine has exposed critical shortfalls in Europe's defenses at a time when US support has become less certain. The challenge now is to translate that ambitious target into deployable firepower fast enough to meet the threat.
The starting point is finding the money to meet the new commitments. France, Italy and the UK already run heavy budget deficits. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is claiming his country has eked out a concession to spend just 2.1% of GDP. Over time, Germany's weak growth and fractious politics could undermine its resolve, despite the loosening of its debt brake. Discipline, and likely continued pressure from the US, will be required to ensure members don't renege on their spending promises.
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