What Europe and NATO must do to be ready for war

NATO’s secretary-general has called on member states to submit **credible plans** to meet agreed-upon defense spending targets, escalating pressure on European allies to accelerate rearmament amid perceived threats. Coverage highlights a disconnect between pledged commitments and execution: while some nations have allocated funds, others struggle with budget constraints, industrial capacity, and political resistance to military expansion. Analysts note the push risks overstretching economies already grappling with inflation and social spending demands.

Major outlets—including *The Economist*, *Reuters*, and *Bloomberg*—emphasize the **scale of the challenge**, framing Europe’s current rearmament effort as its largest since the Cold War. Reports from *EL PAÍS* and *Firstpost* focus on **structural hurdles**, such as supply chain bottlenecks and delays in weapon production tied to U.S. demands. Economic think tanks like CEPR are examining the **long-term fiscal impact**, suggesting the build-up could reshape European budgets for years.

Watch for **specific national plans** due from NATO members in the coming weeks, which may reveal deeper divisions over burden-sharing. Europe’s ability to harmonize defense policies—without triggering domestic backlash—will determine whether the push gains traction or stalls.