Without legitimate political authority, unified command will lack direction, national caveats will proliferate, and strategic coherence will collapse.
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Building a Credible European Defence Union
From the Western European Union towards a European Defence Union
Key Insights
- How can Europe transition from historical frameworks like the WEU to create a credible, collective defence structure capable of ensuring strategic autonomy with or without the US?
- The European Defence Union (EDU) must be built pragmatically and incrementally through shared political authority, inclusive participation, and unified command structures.
- Success requires immediate collaborative investment and operational realism over waiting for perfect treaty language.
Cite this brief
Walter, R. (2026). Building a Credible European Defence Union. EPIS Insight · Security Policy & Defence.