EUROPE IS BUILDING A NEW SECURITY ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT WASHINGTON What happened this week is significant. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed creating a European Security Council bringing together the EU and key partners including the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway and Ukraine. The idea is to create a leaders’ forum focused specifically on Europe’s security challenges. The proposal comes at a moment when European governments are increasingly questioning how much they can rely on the existing transatlantic security framework. Von der Leyen also proposed an Emergency Security Protocol to coordinate European responses to threats such as sabotage, cyberattacks, arson and drone incursions. And there is another striking development. Von der Leyen suggested opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member, while emphasizing closer security and political cooperation with countries outside the bloc. This does not mean NATO is being replaced. The proposed structures are intended to complement existing arrangements, although analysts have already raised questions about possible duplication and confusion between European institutions and NATO. But the political message is unmistakable: EUROPE IS PREPARING TO TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS OWN SECURITY. Whether this becomes a powerful institution or simply another diplomatic forum will depend on what powers it eventually receives, how decisions are made and whether its members are willing to commit real military and financial resources. THE WORLD ORDER IS CHANGING. AND EUROPE IS NO LONGER WAITING TO SEE WHAT WASHINGTON DOES NEXT.