By Matt Underwood 
Poland’s Foreign Minister has proposed creating a “European legion” to help the EU respond to growing security threats. This is a big idea, and it’s sparking a lot of discussion – and, as you can see, a fair bit of passion. The core concept is simple: a unified military force, operating under the European Union’s banner, designed to bolster the EU’s ability to act in the face of threats. That’s a concept that gets people thinking about the future of European security.
The potential benefits are pretty clear. The European Union, with its combined economic strength, has the potential to be a major player on the world stage. A unified military force would give it the “hard power” to back up its diplomatic efforts and protect its interests. Some people see this as a way for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security, potentially strengthening NATO in the long run by allowing it to focus on its core missions.
However, the path to a European legion is not exactly paved with roses. One of the major hurdles is the question of strategic assets, or the lack thereof. Many see that the EU needs to focus on building up expensive items such as strategic bombers, long-range missiles, and advanced surveillance aircraft. Others believe in a “show and then expand” strategy, starting with a core force and expanding its capabilities over time.
Of course, the idea of an EU army immediately brings up questions of command and control. Who would make the decisions? To whom would the legion be answerable? Would a Polish officer on the bridge of a European aircraft carrier follow orders from Brussels or from Warsaw? These are thorny issues that would need to be addressed to ensure the legion’s effectiveness and legitimacy.
There’s also a significant question about existing military capabilities. While Europe has a large number of active soldiers, there are challenges in terms of interoperability, training, and coordination between different national forces. Some point out that European forces struggle with long-range supply chains, which could hinder their ability to operate effectively in a conflict. While the EU already spends a substantial amount on defense, the fact remains that the EU’s total defense spending is still a fraction of that of the United States.
Then there’s the whole question of what this force would actually look like. Some propose creating strategic forces with advanced capabilities that European countries often lack. Others are more focused on integrating existing national armies, and making the force capable of fighting side by side. Some suggest something like the French Foreign Legion. A lot of comments point to the need for greater interoperability between different national armies.
And, as always, the politics of such a move are complex. One must ask if countries such as Canada, and others, would be allowed to participate in such a legion. A European legion would undoubtedly face opposition from those who see it as a threat to NATO or to national sovereignty.
Despite the challenges, the idea of a European legion seems to be gaining traction, largely due to the perception of a growing security threat. The world is getting more dangerous, and the EU is looking for ways to protect itself. This idea represents one way to do it.