Discussion Paper
Ahyousha Khan
Summar Iqbal Babar
Reconfiguring European Security
The European security environment has undergone significant transformation following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, particularly amid rising uncertainty over the credibility of US security commitments. This paper examines the drivers of Europe’s current security dilemma—marked by Russian coercion and doubts about US commitment—and explores possible pathways to strengthen European security. As an answer, we propose Glenn Snyder’s ‘alliance security dilemma’, particularly the secondary alliance dilemma for transatlantic security. By applying this particular theory, the paper examines how asymmetrical dependencies within the US-Europe relationship have created vulnerabilities for Europe, particularly in the domain of extended deterrence, military presence and access to advanced security-related technologies. This paper identifies SNNWs as a viable strategic, military and political option for Europe to enhance its security amid the anxiety of abandonment. Moreover, this paper argues that investment in SNNWs can reduce Europe’s abandonment concerns by enhancing self-reliance, improving escalation control, and strengthening conventional deterrence, while simultaneously reducing US entrapment concerns by shifting greater responsibility for regional deterrence and crisis management to European allies.