Part 12/16:
The End of Europe’s Security Guarantee
Finally, the dismantling of Europe's defense capacity reveals the true cost of decades of reliance on American military protection. Since WWII, Europe enjoyed a “peace dividend,” with NATO and U.S. security allowing it to focus on social welfare, pensions, and vacations. However, the return of high-intensity conflicts on the continent has exposed Europe's vulnerable military-industrial base: NATO members have consistently underfunded defense, with Germany’s military regarded as a joke and shortages of basic equipment widespread.
As war looms again, European countries face stark choices—less spending on healthcare and pensions to rebuild defenses or accept the risk of being vulnerable in a future conflict.