How about a European Security Strategy?

LinkedIn blog post, 09/12/2025, by Sven Franck (en français , in Deutsch)

TL;DR – The last week has been a revelation for transatlantists with the publication of the US National Security Strategy and Elon Musk, disgruntled by a 140M€ fine for violating the Digital Service Act, calling for the EU to be dissolved. Europe's response: we're BFF, always have, always will. Really?

EUphoria!

Fortunately, many thought otherwise and it felt great scrolling through X drenched in EU flags 🇪🇺 - Even Manfred Weber was jumping on the bandwagon - as if the EPP didn't just vote with the anti-democratic and pro-US forces to take a big chunk out of what makes Europe European. You have to go with the flow, I guess. Rest assured, once #EUphoria has passed, the EPP will pull out another of Europe's regulatory teeth with the digital omnibus - aligning with demands of the US tech industry keen on removing the safeguards based on which to fine Elon Musk - see not only - see not only Alberto Alemanno on this.

I'm actually curious if the Commission will continue with the omnibus. It's not like the US didn't make it clear that like Venezuela, Europe is a continent in need of regime change. And sorry, the Conservatives haven't swung far enough to the far right to make the cut - especially on European level, which the US wants to unsee altogether. "Divide and conquer" is the name of the game and your respective national extreme-right party is oh so willing to play and sacrifice our European unity for a divided moment in the spotlight.

Yet more words without action?

National leaders thus face a dilemma: They have to concede power. To a European Union capable to defend our values, our freedom and our liberal democracy. Or to whoever is backed by the US. AfD and Rassemblement National are having a field day at the polls in Germany and France, yet, the EU's biggest member states cannot commit to advancing the EU. How much flag waving do they need to lead us at least a step in a European direction?

Yes, updating treaties will take time. But how about a European Security Strategy? Can't be so hard to fill 33 pages like the US did, especially since everyone always preaches a "#strongerEurope". The EU Global Strategy hasn't been updated since 2016 😬 and the US just magneto-ed the 2022 EU Strategic Compass. The time is now.

Even if only symbolic at the end, EU member states committing to such a joint and updated European Security Strategy would send a strong signal: that our leaders are willing to actually advance the European project. Or for citizens to vote for alternatives in future elections. We need to jumpstart the EU- one way or the other.