Germany and France Close Ranks on Security Amid Global Uncertainty

BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 15: In this handout photo provided by the German Government Press Office (BPA), German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks with newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron on the terrace, with a view of the television tower in the background during his visit to the chancellor’s office on May 15, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. Macron is visiting Berlin only a day after being sworn in as president in Paris. While Macron and Merkel have both demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the European Union and Merkel strongly applauded Macron’s election, they are likely to differ over Macron’s desire for E.U.-issued bonds, a measure Merkel has strongly opposed in the past. (Photo by Guido Bergmann/Bundesregierung via Getty Images)

Posted: August 9th, 2017

With Britain leaving the EU, concern from Europeans about U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to Europe, and an increasingly aggressive Russia, Europeans are looking to bolster their own defenses. France and Germany are the two countries most equipped to lead Europe in the defense and security sphere, and have been making moves to strengthen their internal defenses and defense collaboration.

The Franco-German defense apparatus is nothing new. The two countries share a joint brigade that belongs to the European Union’s Eurocorps, and since its founding in 2004, have worked together in the European Defense Agency, which helps EU governments with military coordination.

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