Publication

This paper provides a detail investigation into why and how the rationalization and optimization of EU defense spending through pooling and sharing is needed, and what are the main obstacles Europe will face to put this agenda into practice. The authors argue that, although structural conditions after 2008 have become favorable so as to allow the EU to make the historical move towards deeper military integration, a fully-fledged EU defense system and market remains unattainable due to political and strategic considerations. At the same time, however, piecemeal progress is possible and viable, especially if boosted by a credible NATO call for ‘more Europe’.