Anglo-French defence cooperation is a useful supplement for broader multilateral European schemes, but is not a replacement for them: to exert real influence over international security affairs Europeans must act collectively

Recent actions in Libya have shown Europe’s reliance on the United States to support military actions that have a European interest. And while the UK’s reaction to massive cuts to defence spending has been to forge a closer relationship with France, Anand Menon argues that it is Europe as a whole must collaborate much more closely in defence procurement and operations if it is to exert independent influence over international security affairs.