Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a prominent politician from the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Germany, is participating in this weekend's Munich Security Conference, where she is advocating for the establishment of a European army. Her argument for this military alliance stems from the shifting role of the United States under President Donald Trump, which she suggests has diminished the reliability of the US as a military ally for European countries. Strack-Zimmermann believes that Europe should take on greater responsibility for its own defense by forming an independent military force.

In her discussion on the SZ podcast 'Auf den Punkt', Strack-Zimmermann outlines a vision for initiating the European army by first collaborating with Germany, Poland, the Baltic states, the Nordic countries, and the United Kingdom. She expresses her belief that as this coalition forms, other nations such as France, Spain, and Italy could be invited to join. This approach not only highlights her commitment to strengthening European military cooperation but also emphasizes the need for a coordinated response among European nations in times of geopolitical uncertainty.

Furthermore, Strack-Zimmermann asserts that Germany’s economic strength and size position it as a leading candidate to spearhead this initiative. Her optimism about the potential for many countries to support this initiative reflects a growing sentiment among European leaders regarding the importance of independence in defense matters. This proposal raises significant implications for the future of European defense policy and the transatlantic relationship, particularly in the context of changing global political dynamics.