Part 2/9:
The idea is not entirely new. Throughout the years, various political leaders have discussed forming a European military force to strengthen defense autonomy. The proposed model suggests establishing a standing common army of around 100,000 soldiers, which would serve to bolster national defense capabilities while effectively allowing for a collective response to various crises, such as the current security landscape in Europe.
This concept echoes initiatives from the late 1990s when British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac outlined a rapid reaction force. Yet, the enthusiasm for the project dwindled due to political hesitations over resource allocation, questions of coordination with NATO, and significant opposition from the United States.