That warning didn't come from some fringe alarmist. It came directly from the head of NATO, who recently cautioned that the alliance must adopt a "wartime mindset" and be ready for a conflict comparable to the world wars of the 20th century. When the top official responsible for Europe's collective defense uses that kind of language, it's not a slip of the tongue. It's a signal. And across Europe, governments are acting as though they agree.
Europe is experiencing the most aggressive military expansion in more than 30 years. Policymakers aren't simply adding a few extra battalions or refreshing aging equipment -- they are rebuilding the continent's defense posture from the ground up, reversing decades of demobilization and budget cuts.
Consider just a few of the dramatic shifts underway:
France is expanding its army and restoring military service nearly 30 years after ending conscription. While voluntary for now, the move reflects a growing consensus that France needs a significantly larger reserve of trained personnel. Why? If a peace deal with Russia were anywhere on the horizon, such an expansion would be unnecessary.
Germany is transforming its military at a pace unseen in its modern history. It plans to dramatically increase the size of the Bundeswehr and pour unprecedented sums into new weapons systems, advanced defense technologies, and logistical capacity. Next year's defense procurement budget is projected to reach record-breaking levels. (Ed note: Very interesting article from Prophecy News Watch, PNW. Does this fit under the category of "wars and rumors of wars?") (Read More)
