How vulnerable is our country in the event of war? “We have no anti-aircraft defenses. Zero, nothing. Understand that well”
The idea that Belgium is ‘safely’ far away from the front line in Ukraine is incorrect. Due to the combination of a lot of interesting targets and a complete lack of air defense, our country is circled in bold on Russian maps. “The idea of Belgium as a hinterland is completely wrong.” We better direct our gaze north.
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Fake news and targeted leaks: how Russia tries to disrupt the West
There is an invisible front line on our smartphones, from which the Kremlin fires half-truths and complete lies. From a leaked conversation among soldiers to fake news about bedbugs: each time it is an attempt to sow discord. “You used to be able to deter enemies with nuclear weapons, now you do that with influence on the internet.”
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“Constant cat-and-mouse game”: a shadow battle with the Russians is raging in the North Sea
The crucial energy parks and thousands of kilometers of cables and pipelines make the North Sea vulnerable to Russian espionage and sabotage. It leads to a strange kind of dance, to the rhythm of floating spy ships. “You can’t get there with cameras underwater.”
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The border crossing in Narva, with a view of Russia. — © Ekaterina Saveljeva
The Estonian volunteer corps is growing, thanks to Putin
In small Estonia, the entire society is preparing for the Russian threat. The Estonian Volunteer Corps already has almost 30,000 members. They practice every weekend. “You should never take freedom for granted.”
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Donald Trump (r.) and NATO CEO Jens Stoltenberg in 2018. — © AP
What if the US withdraws from NATO? “They remain indispensable for the security of Europe”
Without American leadership, NATO will become a rudderless ship. The European armies lack military mass, intelligence and unity. “When a conflict requires action, the Americans take the lead, the Europeans follow.”
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Van Daele (l.) and Verbeke: “With Russia, there is a brutal force facing us.” — © Kaat Pype
Former diplomats Frans van Daele and Johan Verbeke are adamant: “Just like Putin, Europe must speak the language of ‘hard power’”
Frans van Daele and Johan Verbeke, the éminences grises of Belgian diplomacy, believe that peace negotiations with Putin currently make no sense. On the contrary, Europe must take Russia’s urge for expansion into account more than ever. “There is a brute force against us. Our message must be clear: we are not going to let ourselves be done.”
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Non-European companies in particular benefit from the new arms race
The growing European defense budgets are an opportunity for weapons manufacturers. But how do we prevent companies from outside the Union in particular from taking advantage of these opportunities? “Fragmentation along national borders stands in the way. We need to invest better, and that means investing together and investing at European level.”
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Those who want peace must prepare for war. But how much should that cost?
Investing in Defense is like insurance. They cost a lot of money and you actually hope you never have to use them. Even with raging wars on Europe’s borders, that is a difficult message to deliver during election times. Each army deals with different needs, closer to the citizen.
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