The End of Pax Americana: Europe's Three Strategic Defense Options

This analytical piece from Neue Zürcher Zeitung argues that the era of Pax Americana has concluded, forcing Europe to confront a new security reality. For decades, Europe relied on US dominance and reduced military spending, assuming lasting peace. However, Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine shattered this illusion, prompting rearmament efforts initially coordinated by the US under President Biden. The situation grew complex with Donald Trump's presidency; while he praised NATO allies' defense spending, his transactional approach and controversial interest in annexing Greenland severely strained transatlantic trust. Consequently, European leaders are debating three primary paths forward: renewing commitment to NATO despite internal tensions, pursuing French-led strategic autonomy, or forming a specific coalition of northeastern countries to counter Russian expansion. The article emphasizes that while NATO remains the most historically successful framework for securing Western Europe, its relevance in the post-Cold War era is increasingly questioned. Europe must now decide how to ensure its security without unquestioned American protection, potentially emerging stronger if it addresses these structural challenges correctly.