European Security Amid Global Uncertainty

The European partnership to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet, known as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), is on the verge of collapse due to disagreements among its key members, particularly between France's Dassault and other partners like Germany and Spain. The project, conceived in 2017 by French President Emmanuel Macron and then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has faced significant challenges and its future is uncertain despite the growing need for it amid threats from Russia and concerns over American commitment to European defense. French President Macron has denied reports of the project's near collapse and plans to discuss the matter with Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz to revive it.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference, offering a mix of blunt warnings and moderate language to European leaders. While his message was stern, warning of the risks of migration and the need for national interests to take precedence, it was received with applause and relief due to its relative moderation compared to previous statements from US officials. The speech highlights the complex and sometimes tense relationship between the US and Europe under the current administration.

The article discusses how European leaders are torn between relief and anxiety after Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he criticized Europe but in a more gracious tone than previous US officials. The article suggests that Europeans are increasingly feeling that they are on their own in the face of US capriciousness under Donald Trump, and are starting to consider that France's Gaullist approach to European defense and autonomy might be justified.

The article discusses the prospects and challenges of achieving a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. The author, Oliver Carroll, analyzes the current situation and the potential pitfalls of negotiations. The piece is part of The Economist's 'The War Room' newsletter, which covers European security issues. Other articles in the newsletter touch on the impact of the war on Ukraine, the stance of various European countries, and the role of the United States in European security matters.