A Strategy for Europe from National Perspectives: Italy
The imperative for present and future Italian governments is to govern the decline that Italy is facing due to an aging population, limited fiscal space, and the waning strategic importance of the “southern flank” within the Western alliance. Although the current administration in Rome will likely try to address these issues through a transactional approach with EU partners and institutions, this memo reveals why strengthening EU governance and powers is in Italy’s long-term interest.
What the Germans Think ... About “Debt Brake” Reform
Conventional wisdom suggests that the German public is fiscally conservative and hostile to easing the constitutional debt brake. However, a new poll suggests that a majority of Germans, including supporters of the center-right CDU/CSU, want the debt brake to be changed to allow for higher levels of investment.
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Nuclear Deterrence Revisited: NATO and Europe in Uncomfortable Times
This week’s topic is nuclear deterrence in Europe, including a look at the reforms proposed in a new paper by Karl-Heinz Kamp – which is available in both English and German. With nuclear deterrence back at the center of global security debates, NATO faces mounting pressure to adapt in an era where authoritarian regimes actively leverage nuclear capabilities. We discuss if the alliance's current posture is sufficient, or if deterrence requires bold new steps – such as expanding nuclear deployments in Europe.