It is a tragic irony that Europe’s so-called leaders remained largely unmoved when Vladimir Putin’s forces rolled into Ukraine in 2022. Germany, a nation that prides itself on its economic might, responded to the invasion with a gesture so feeble it bordered on parody: a shipment of a few thousand helmets. This was the continent’s initial answer to a war that threatened the post-World War II order—a war that exposed the fragility of Europe’s dependence on others for its security. It wasn’t until the United States, the guarantor of Europe’s comfortable existence for decades, began to show signs of pulling back its protective umbrella that European capitals finally stirred. The lesson is clear: Europe must stop sleepwalking through history and take responsibility for its own future—though some, like Poland, have already shown what resolve looks like.
For too long, Europe has basked in the luxury of outsourcing its defense to America while indulging in policies that erode its own strength. The obsession with "net zero" climate goals, pursued with a fervor that ignores economic reality, has shackled industries and burdened citizens with soaring energy costs. It’s a noble idea in theory—until you realize that the world’s largest polluters aren’t playing along, and Europe’s self-imposed handicaps only weaken its ability to compete. The time has come to abandon this lunacy, prioritize economic growth, and unleash the creativity of businesses and innovators. Re-industrialization, not de-industrialization, is the path forward. A strong economy is the backbone of a strong nation, and Europe cannot afford to forget that.
Mass immigration, another sacred cow of European policy, has strained social cohesion to the breaking point—yet Poland’s response to the Ukrainian crisis offers a counterpoint worth noting. When Russia invaded, Poland welcomed over 2 million Ukrainians, not into sprawling refugee camps, but into the homes and lives of ordinary citizens. This wasn’t a government-orchestrated spectacle; it was a grassroots outpouring of solidarity, driven by a shared sense of purpose and proximity to the threat. Compare that to the broader European trend, where unchecked inflows, often with little regard for integration or shared values, have undermined unity. Poland’s example shows that compassion and cohesion can coexist—but only when rooted in a clear national identity. Europe’s leaders must recognize that endless openness without such a vision is a recipe for collapse.
Nowhere is Europe’s complacency more evident than in its approach to defense. Pouring money into obsolete tanks and recruiting infantry might feel like action, but it’s a nostalgic fantasy, not a strategy. Wars of the future won’t be won with yesterday’s tools. Drones, cyberwarfare, artificial intelligence, and space-based technologies are already reshaping the battlefield. Europe’s armed forces need investment that anticipates these shifts, not props up the ghosts of 20th-century conflicts. Poland, again, stands out: it has ramped up defense spending and modernized its military in response to Russia’s aggression, setting a pace others should follow. The continent must grow out of its habit of treating defense as an afterthought and start building forces capable of deterring aggression in the modern age.
Underpinning all of this is a deeper malaise: an obsession with luxury beliefs. From climate purity to performative social justice, Europe’s elites have spent years signaling their virtue while ignoring the hard realities of a dangerous world. These are the indulgences of a continent that assumed its security and prosperity were guaranteed forever. That illusion is gone. Russia’s aggression, China’s rise, and America’s inward turn have stripped away the safety net. Poland’s response—welcoming millions while bolstering its defenses—shows what’s possible when a nation faces reality head-on. The rest of Europe can no longer afford to play the role of the pampered adolescent, coasting on the achievements of others.
The path forward is daunting but simple. Europe must wake up to the threats it faces, grow up by making tough choices, and man up by acting decisively. Economic vitality, social unity, and military strength aren’t optional—they’re the pillars of survival. Poland has lit a torch; it’s time for the continent to follow. The alternative is irrelevance at best, subjugation at worst. For a continent that once shaped the world, the stakes could not be higher. It’s time to stop dreaming and start doing.
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