Thread by @USWPColby

President Trump has rightly laid out that Europe must step up, and NATO must no longer be a paper tiger.
Through the historic Hague Commitments, Europe has begun to do so.

But the key now is, in the words of SecGen Rutte, action over words. As Rutte put it this week, “Air defense systems, drones, ammunition, radars, space capabilities — that is what will keep us safe.” 1/

Germany is now taking the leading role in this. After years of disarmament, Berlin is stepping up. The DOW is already working closely with European allies, especially Germany, to accelerate this transition to NATO 3.0. 2/

Berlin’s new Military Strategy shows a clear path forward and we look forward to collaborating closely with the FRG to implement this. Below are some key excerpts: 3/

General Carsten Breuer wrote in the Strategy’s Foreword that: “The Military Strategy reflects the idea that, as the largest economy in Europe…Germany must and will assume a leading role within NATO – also at the military level. It represents a paradigm shift and underpins our ambition to play an active and substantial role.” 4/

The Strategy also affirms that “Germany…will take on additional burdens, including targeted strategic responsibility for Europe at the strategic level…The Bundeswehr will thus become the strongest conventional army in Europe.” 5/

“Germany is taking on a historically unprecedented amount of responsibility for Europe, and will continue to build on this basis. NATO must become more European to remain transatlantic.” 6/

“The United States is essential to NATO. Both in political terms and due to its military capabilities. However, it has indicated that it is increasingly shifting its strategic focus towards its Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific.” 7/

“Beyond this reorientation toward the Indo-Pacific, the United States is demanding in its 2026 National Defense Strategy that its allies step up their efforts to safeguard their own security. Germany must therefore become an even stronger military Ally to the United States while working together with other Allies to take on more responsibility for the shared Euro-Atlantic security.” 8/

Moreover, a “national and European projection capability would strengthen deterrence and collective defense, lighten the burden on the United States and enhance Europe’s ability to take action.” In other words, a stronger Europe will be able to contribute more to critical missions, as the President has emphasized. 9/

Germany’s Military Strategy represents a clear, credible way forward to NATO 3.0: A NATO in which Europe and Canada step up to meet their responsibilities within the Alliance and transform it from a paper tiger to a strong deterrent and defense.

President Trump has provided the clear and consistent message Europe and Canada need to hear. We at DoW stand ready to engage and aid those who heed his message and take real action at the speed of relevance. 10/10