Beyond the Peace Dividend: Forging European Resilience and Democratic Accountability

Evolving Security Landscape: Russian Aggression and Global Instability

Following the Cold War, Europe benefited from a "peace dividend," allowing governments to reduce defense outlays and redirect resources toward social programs. Social protection spending rose from 36.6% of government budgets in 1995 to 41.4% in 2019, fostering a robust middle class. However, this era of reduced spending left an undersized European defense industrial base struggling to meet contemporary demands.

The security paradigm shifted dramatically with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, altering Europe's environment and making security an "existential topic." This aggression exposed critical deficiencies in Europe's ability to produce basic military equipment, such as ammunition, at necessary speeds.

Beyond Russia, the global resurgence of authoritarianism, led by China, poses a "daunting test" to democratic norms. China's opaque defense spending and "military-civil fusion" (MCF) strategy incentivize civilian actors to aid People's Liberation Army (PLA) modernization via technology transfer. This enables Chinese state-linked entities to gain influence over critical European infrastructure. Chinese logistics companies hold stakes in 33 maritime container terminals across Europe, including strategically vital ports like Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp—some near military facilities. This raises concerns regarding potential monitoring of NATO troop movements or sabotage. The deepening China-Russia partnership further escalates the threat, necessitating a broader defense context.

Traditional "defense" understandings focus on military capabilities, but the contemporary environment is multi-dimensional. It involves economic and technological vulnerabilities. China's influence over critical infrastructure illustrates that defense investments must encompass economic resilience, cybersecurity, and infrastructure protection. Framing defense as comprehensive societal protection, rather than solely warfare, is crucial for public communication, underscoring how non-military investments protect the fabric of society.

Benefits of a Stronger European Defense Industrial Base

Expanding Europe's defense manufacturing capacity offers crucial benefits:

• Strategic Autonomy: A robust domestic industry reduces reliance on non-European suppliers. This ensures Europe maintains security capabilities regardless of allied political shifts. As European Commissioner Thierry Breton stated, "Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security, regardless of the outcome of our allies' elections every four years."

• Operational Effectiveness and Innovation: Domestic sourcing allows closer military-industry collaboration. This accelerates vulnerability identification, adaptation to evolving capabilities (as seen in Ukraine), and agile responses to emerging threats, while fostering local access to cutting-edge technology.

• Supply Chain Resilience: Diversifying and localizing supply chains for critical components is essential. This mitigates production bottlenecks and reduces geopolitical exposure to adversarial states.

• Economic Growth: Increased investment boosts Europe's struggling manufacturing sector. It creates demand for skilled workers and stimulates economic returns within the European economy.

• Enhanced Deterrence: A credible, self-sufficient industrial base enhances Europe's military strength, sending a clear signal that Europe can defend its values.

• Long-Term Planning: Sustained investment is crucial for industrial health. Commitment to domestic manufacturing encourages the long-term planning and funding necessary to procure high-performance systems over decades.

NATO allies have committed to a new investment plan, aiming for 5% of GDP annually on defense by 2035, with 3.5% for core military spending. The EU launched its first European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to enhance capacity and reduce non-EU imports. These initiatives encourage countries to "invest more, better, together, and European." Despite this, challenges remain. The industry is fragmented across national silos, and there is a need to train a substantial pool of skilled workers. Furthermore, significant EU defense investment still flows to non-EU suppliers, highlighting the need for firm procurement commitments to re-industrialize with resilience.

Policy Alignment and Democratic Oversight for Sustained Public Support

Rapid defense spending increases carry significant risks of corruption and waste if accountability is insufficient. Historical evidence suggests spending hikes without oversight can paradoxically weaken security by fostering inefficiency.

Procurement often operates behind closed doors, blurring ethical lines due to complex supply chains. The "revolving door," where former officials take defense lobbying jobs, compromises independent decision-making. National security is frequently invoked to bypass scrutiny, obscuring decisions.

Civilian supremacy over the military is a bedrock democratic principle. It ensures armed forces are subordinate to constitutional government and reflect societal values. To ensure democratic integrity, several solutions are paramount:

• Civil Society Oversight: Civil society organizations (CSOs) act as watchdogs and policy advisors. They scrutinize budgets and procurement risks, ensuring spending reflects human security needs. Research indicates transparency enhances security outcomes.

• Parliamentary Scrutiny: Parliaments must be empowered to scrutinize defense decisions. Policy should be transparent, ensuring representatives and the public understand goals and costs.

• Independent Oversight Bodies: These bodies require resources to "follow the money" and investigate irregularities.

• Transparency Initiatives: Establishing standards, including public disclosure of contract values and selection criteria, is vital to fostering trust.

• Whistleblower Protections: Strengthening protections for employees reporting corruption is essential for accountability.

• Comprehensive Planning: Defense planning must encompass personnel, equipment, and readiness. No issue should be "out of sight" of civilian authorities, balancing needs with budgets.

Europe stands at a critical juncture defined by resurgent authoritarianism. The imperative for sustained defense investment is undeniable to bolster collective security, achieve strategic autonomy, and safeguard democratic values.

Influencing public opinion requires reframing defense as "guardianship" for societal well-being and freedom. This involves articulating economic benefits, emphasizing collective security, and countering misinformation with transparent communication.

Connecting Europe and Detroit: How Metro Detroit can play a role in building Europe’s Defense

The push for European defense manufacturing self-sufficiency creates a profound opportunity for industrial cooperation with the United States, specifically leveraging the revitalized industrial might of Detroit and Michigan.

While shifts in the current U.S. Administration's foreign policy have created a perception of a commitment and protection vacuum, America’s enduring strength lies in its industrial might and technological capacity. The private sector and key industrial ecosystems are ready to step in. Nowhere is this clearer than in the Detroit-Michigan region, which is actively leveraging its specialized manufacturing and engineering expertise to serve as a critical transatlantic partner, rapidly accelerating the modernization and rearmament of Europe and solidifying collective deterrence.

This region, once the "Arsenal of Democracy" during World War II, is reimagining itself as the "Arsenal of Innovation." Michigan is the global nexus of commercial automotive, electrification, and military vehicle technology. This expertise is directly applicable to Europe's challenges:

• Accelerating Modernization: European modernization requires rapid technological adoption where Michigan leads. The state boasts the nation's highest concentration of electrical and mechanical engineers. Its ecosystem allows seamless connection to vehicle innovation, cybersecurity, and advanced aerial mobility. This includes critical work on battery systems for the Department of Defense's (DoD) transition to electric and autonomous vehicles, developed with universities like Michigan State. These advancements are essential for Europe to maintain a technological edge.
  

• Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience: Europe’s industrial base is fragmented with low capacity. Michigan's manufacturing workforce and supplier network—supported by over $30 billion in defense-related activity—offer scalable, resilient capacity. Partnering with U.S. hubs provides a trusted source for co-development, mitigating reliance on adversarial supply chains.
  

• Strategic Transatlantic Partnership: The Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan, home to TACOM, remains a key hub for U.S. military readiness. This presence provides a platform for collaborative research and procurement between the U.S. and NATO. By linking European initiatives with Michigan's industrial resurgence, the alliance reinforces deterrence, ensuring the scale and technological superiority to confront Russian aggression and Chinese systemic challenges.