Who Will Defend Europe?: An Awakened Russia and a Sleeping Continent by Keir Giles

In “Who Will Defend Europe?”, Keir Giles warns that decades of outsourcing security to the United States have left the continent dangerously exposed. As Russia re‑arms and tensions rise, Europe must urgently rebuild its defences, strengthen alliances, and confront hard truths—or risk devastating consequences for its future security and stability.

While Ukraine holds back Russia’s onslaught, Moscow has been working hard at rebuilding its army for the next invasion. But for the past 30 years, Britain and Europe have been running down their armed forces and defence industries, thinking that war would never come. Most of the continent banked an increasingly illusory ‘peace dividend’ while outsourcing defence to the United States.

Now, change in the US and clear intent from the Kremlin have set Europe scrambling to rebuild its defences. But will it be enough, and can it be in time? In this urgent, vital book, Keir Giles lays out the stark choices facing leaders and societies as they confront the return of war in Europe. If the freedom and prosperity that the continent takes for granted are to be preserved, the sacrifices required will affect everyone, without exception.

Above all, Giles calls for new leadership in defence of Europe as the US steps aside – and warns that the UK’s brief opportunity to set the pace has already been squandered.

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