Under the slogan "We don't want to be cannon fodder," thousands of German students protested this Friday in several German cities against the possible reintroduction of mandatory military service. The "school strike" has called for demonstrations in ninety locations across the country against the plans of the conservative government of Friedrich Merz to reintroduce military service, currently on a voluntary basis. The new law will, however, include a series of mandatory elements for eighteen-year-olds, such as the obligation to answer a questionnaire and undergo a medical examination.

The Republic of Ireland is at a historic turning point. Its long-standing tradition of military neutrality—dating back to 1921, at the end of the War of Independence against the British, and for decades considered an article of faith and a pillar of the country's modern identity—is weakening under the weight of the new global geopolitical reality. as a result of the Russian invasion of UkraineSome experts, such as Maeve Drury and Jason C. Moyer of the Atlantic Council, warn of "critical vulnerabilities" that have made Ireland a "weak spot" in Europe. Along with Austria and Malta, Ireland is one of the three European Union members that are not part of NATO. Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin and Defense Minister Simon Harris have proposed a series of drastic reforms in recent months, such as increasing defense spending to a record high, to address a threat that is no longer theoretical and that puts submarine infrastructure at risk. The current government has set a target of €1.5 billion upon taking office in 2028, €150 million more than the amount allocated in 2026. This figure, however, represents only 0.25% of GDP.

Brussels supports the Baltic countries' initiative to build a "drone wall" to protect the European Union's (EU) eastern border, following recent Russian incursions. in Polish airspace and Romania have set off alarm bells in European capitals over the growing threat from Moscow. "The eastern flank of Europe protects all of Europe. From the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. That's why we have to invest to support its surveillance," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week. in his State of the Union addressVon der Leyen urged Strasbourg to "respond to the call of the Baltic friends and build this drone wall", after 19 Russians will rape on September 10, Polish airspace.

Nine years after that The British will vote for BrexitIn the last ten days, the wounds of London's divorce from Paris and Berlin—the main axis on which the European Union historically moved forward—have finally healed. Or almost. Last Thursday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expressed at a press conference in the British capital the proximity of the three leaders – Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and himself – and of the three countries in the following terms: "The United Kingdom, France and Germany are converging in their positions on foreign policy, security policy, migration policy, but also on issues of economic policy." Merz said this on his first visit to London since taking office in May, to sign a "historic" bilateral agreement, the Kensington Treaty, which has the European security architecture as its fundamental core.

More submarines, more ammunition, more nuclear warheads, and more defense technology. In short, an old doctrine: "If you want peace, prepare for war." states with advanced military forces and we must be prepared."

The president of CIDOB (National Council of People's Commissars) and former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, has said that a common defense within the European Union is "unimaginable," as it is an issue that would require unanimity. "There will never be unanimity to build a NATO of the European Union or a European Defense Union," he stated during his speech at the annual meeting of the Círculo de Economía (Economic Circle). However, he considered it essential to strengthen European defense and urged countries willing to move in this direction to join outside the community club.