European defence – an unrealisable dream?

Much has been said and written recently on the implications of the constitutional Lisbon treaty for European defence integration. We have been meaning to write about it for some time and, finally, the mouse has laboured.

Perversely, we do not see Lisbon as much of a threat. The more immediate challenge comes from Sarkozy and his new-found enthusiasm for Nato - as well as his apparent conversions Atlanticism, which is much more (and less) than it seems.

Our arguments are set out in a longish essay on Defence of the Realm.