Speech by Reiner Braun on his intervention at the NATO in Crisis: Time to Overcome the War Machine  Pre-Summit | July 3, 2026 

The new US-Europe relationship: subordination or emancipation? Europe’s crisis, the new militarism and new imperialism and opportunities for a new peace architecture. 

The first consequence is a new form of burden-sharing within NATO between the United States and Europe. The second is the development of the European Union into what could be called a “NATO-lite.” I will present arguments for both.

First, the United States will continue to dominate NATO over the European Union. This is primarily because of its control over satellite systems, command-and-control structures, and military infrastructure. NATO, as it exists today, cannot function without the U.S. military machine.

European countries remain dependent on these U.S.-controlled systems. You can see this at Ramstein, Wiesbaden, and across NATO headquarters throughout Europe.

Second, Europe continues to rely heavily on U.S. weapons, even while claiming it wants greater strategic autonomy. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte proudly announced, while sitting next to President Trump, that Europe would purchase around $300 billion worth of weapons from the United States. This demonstrates that European military capabilities remain deeply dependent on the U.S.

Third, although the United States has given up some political and military positions within NATO, the alliance’s most important command positions continue to be held by U.S. officers and generals. The key command structures remain under American leadership.

Fourth, Europe is also heavily dependent on U.S. technological dominance. In many critical technological fields, the European Union is far behind. In Germany, I would say we are playing in the second division—not even the first. That is the reality.

European leaders now argue that, because of the Trump administration and broader geopolitical changes, Europe must become more autonomous. They are attempting to move in that direction. However, there is a fundamental gap between what Europe wants to achieve and what it is actually capable of achieving.

This is the central contradiction. Much of the European Union’s military and political agenda is unrealistic and disconnected from the political, economic, and social realities of its member states. Many announcements from European leaders reflect aspirations rather than practical possibilities.

In reality, European countries within NATO continue to play the role of junior partners, deeply dependent on the United States.

That does not make European militarization any less dangerous.

The European Union plans to spend approximately €800 billion on its rearmament programme, in addition to increased national military budgets. For Germany, meeting the new spending targets would mean that an enormous share of public resources would go either to military expenditure or debt repayment. The consequences for healthcare, education, and social infrastructure would be severe.

This is why Europe’s current path is both dangerous and deeply misguided.