Brexit changes conversation around possible European Army

Insight

Brexit changes conversation around possible European Army

Britain has long opposed the creation of a European Army, but after Brexit, could it become reality?

At last week’s EU summit, a plan was put on the table.

CCTV’s Guy Henderson has Insight.
Follow Guy Henderson on Twitter @guyhendersonde

An anti-piracy operation in the Mediterranean among around 37 EU security missions launched since 2003 has typically been done in response to specific crises.

But now there’s renewed talk of creating a full-time European army.

Critics have long called this a pipe dream- but the issue resurfaced at a post-Brexit EU leaders summit last week.

The EU’s first global strategy for defense and security in 13 years calls for deeper integration.

Traditionally, the EU has taken a backseat when it comes to security policy. And the United kingdom has been one of the loudest opponents of substantial military integration, preferring NATO to fulfill that role. But since the U.K.’s decision to continue its relationship with the EU from outside the bloc, some analysts are arguing that the debate is already changing.

While Britain has the largest military budget in Europe, without the U.K., France and Germany are freer to press for “enhanced” defense cooperation-outside of NATO.

But there are still serious doubts that rhetoric will become reality anytime soon.

Brussels and Berlin want to turn the Brexit crisis into an opportunity. But sharing armies raises the question of who’ll be in charge-one of sovereignty issues that helped drive Britain out of Europe.


Amb. Kurt Volker discusses Brexit’s military impact

For more insight into how Brexit changed the global military dynamic, CCTV America’s Mike Walter spoke to Amb. Kurt Volker, executive director at McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University.