John Mearsheimer’s address to the European Parliament paints a bleak picture of Europe’s strategic outlook, arguing that the post–Cold War order has collapsed while the continent is still underprepared for a world shaped by great-power rivalry. His core message hits Germany squarely: no European country is more exposed to the consequences of slow rearmament, dwindling defence stockpiles, and economic dependencies that limit strategic freedom. Berlin’s long reliance on US security guarantees, Russian energy, and Chinese markets now looks increasingly fragile. Mearsheimer’s warning lands at a moment when Germany is trying to rebuild its defence industry, diversify supply chains, and redefine its role in Europe’s security architecture. The gap between Germany’s ambitions and its current capabilities is exactly the kind of vulnerability his speech urges Europe to confront.
Watch the full address on The American Conservative’s YouTube Channel.