Who Will Defend Europe?

Description

While Ukraine holds back Russia’s onslaught, Moscow has been working hard at rebuilding its army for the next invasion. But for the past 30 years, Britain and Europe have been running down their armed forces and defence industries, thinking that war would never come. Most of the continent banked an increasingly illusory ‘peace dividend’ while outsourcing defence to the United States.

Now, change in the US and clear intent from the Kremlin have set Europe scrambling to rebuild its defences. But will it be enough, and can it be in time?

In this urgent, vital book, Keir Giles lays out the stark choices facing leaders and societies as they confront the return of war in Europe. If the freedom and prosperity that the continent takes for granted are to be preserved, the sacrifices required will affect everyone, without exception. Above all, Giles calls for new leadership in defence of Europe as the US steps aside—and warns that the UK’s brief opportunity to set the pace has already been squandered.

Reviews

‘Keir Giles has been warning us for many years of Russia’s determination to re-arm, remilitarise and rebuild an empire. Now he offers a stark warning for Europe and the world: the only alternative to planning for a war is planning to lose it.’ — Anne Applebaum, author of Autocracy, Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World

‘A powerful and urgent analysis of Europe’s looming security challenges—this book is a wake-up call for anyone who cares about the future of the continent.’ — Eliot Higgins, Director, Founder of Bellingcat

‘Russia’s intent can no longer be denied—but as Keir Giles explains in chilling detail, Europe’s defences are lagging behind the threat. This book is a vital call to action to preserve the way of life Europe takes for granted, before it is too late.’ — Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former president of Estonia

‘Keir Giles presents the reader with a disturbing catalogue of Europe’s weaknesses, and how Russia is planning to exploit them. As regards Europe and the West in general, Russia is a hostile actor, has always been, and will always be, and collectively, Europe should expect that Russia will exploit to the fullest, not just the vulnerabilities it can create, but the vulnerabilities Europe has created for itself.’ — Gen John R. Allen, US Marine Corps (Ret), former commander NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)

‘This vital book brutally exposes the impact of decades of Western European defence complacency and why it must be addressed before it is too late. Keir Giles also calls for a new generation of visionary statesmen to lead us out of the disaster confronting us.’ — Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, former Chief of the Defence Staff

‘In this superb book, Keir Giles makes the point that while it may be expensive to pay for a useful military deterrent, it is vastly more expensive to fight a war if deterrence fails. Giles makes a compelling and well-argued case for much increased European investment in defence and national resilience. His book should be a clarion call for our political leaders and citizens to act decisively and with purpose.’ — Maj-Gen Mick Ryan, Australian Army (Ret), currently the Senior Fellow for Military Studies at the Lowy Institute in Sydney

‘Once again, Keir Giles is trying to save us from our own lethargy with his crisp, insightful analysis of Russia’s threat to Europe. His clear-eyed assessment … should jolt all of us into action.’ — Lt-Gen Ben Hodges, Commander, US Army Europe, 2014–17 (Ret)

Author(s)

Keir Giles has advised governments worldwide on the Russian threat. A senior fellow with Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Programme, and Director of the Conflict Studies Research Centre, he is a regular commentator for the BBC and international media. His prescient books include What Deters Russia and Moscow Rules.