Part 4/9:
The mid-2000s brought significant changes after ten countries joined the EU, many of which preferred NATO protection against a looming threat from Russia. Meanwhile, diverging strategic interests, particularly between France and the UK, further stunted the idea of a cohesive European security policy. These challenges were compounded by the lackluster capabilities of the German military, particularly after Chancellor Angela Merkel's austerity measures weakened Germany's defense spending.
Proposals for a European army were resurfaced during Trump’s presidency, although they failed to gain traction largely due to shifting American foreign policy priorities and NATO's seemingly unshakeable grip on European security.