Websalon: Sacred Cows and taboos: A common European security strategy?

Online discussion with:
Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges, former commander of all US forces in Europe
Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe of the Atlantic Council
Moderation: Ali Aslan (TV Presenter & Journalist)

The alliance for security and defence between the United States and Europe – especially Germany – which was once considered unshakeable, is increasingly becoming unstable under President Trump’s administration. The recently announced withdrawal of almost a third of US troops stationed in Germany is causing astonishment and uncertainty in many places. Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges has sharply criticized the withdrawal plans in public. Does the USA still feel committed to security in Europe? What consequences would the withdrawal planned for this autumn have, including for the development of a European security and nuclear strategy, which France’s President Macron in particular wants to push?

How can strategic cooperation among European countries be increased? In what way would German public attitudes have to shift to accept the French offer of nuclear technology transfer? Can Europe continue to rely exclusively on NATO and the American nuclear umbrella in the future? How much would European strategy overlap with the NATO alliance and what would be the consequences? And what role would Europe’s nuclear power Great Britain play after Brexit?

Please find more information about the event here.