Interesting article. I agree that the Europeans have made grave mistakes in their defense strategies. This parallels similar mistakes in their energy strategies, which makes their vulnerability to Russia even worse.
I would think the best option for them would be to copy the Polish example. I do not know all the details, but as I understand it, Poland made licensing agreements with South Korean military contractors that enable them to build South Korean tanks and AFVs on Polish soil. I don’t think South Korean designs have been tested in combat, but the South Koreans are some of the best manufacturers in the world.
This strategy would enable Europeans to skip the lengthy procurement, design and testing phase and get right into production. I am sure that the South Koreans would be happy to train the necessary skilled labor, so all the European governments would need to do is provide the capital.
With respect to Europe’s energy strategies—everyone that has doubted American frackers from Tillerson to MBS to Putin has ended up with egg on their respective faces. What the American fracking industry has done this century will end up being the most important development of the century…it’s definitely the most important development so far.
Yes, Shale oil and gas is the biggest energy revolution of the 21st Century. Unfortunately, it has been confined to the United States due to political opposition abroad.
That’s incorrect. Fracking in Louisiana supplies a significant portion of Europe’s natural gas via LNG. Ultimately it’s all about price and natural gas is cheap AF in America and Europe seems to be making imported LNG work for them. Btw, the Bush administration and Tillerson believed we could make LNG imported from Qatar work in America prior to fracking being proven economical.
At this point it doesn’t really matter because America has so much and it’s so cheap. Bush and Tillerson thought America would be fine importing LNG from Qatar and so I think it’s safe to assume Europe and Japan and South Korea will be fine importing LNG from America and Australia and Qatar.
What are your thoughts on a common defense procurement market for Europe?
Interesting article. I agree that the Europeans have made grave mistakes in their defense strategies. This parallels similar mistakes in their energy strategies, which makes their vulnerability to Russia even worse.
I would think the best option for them would be to copy the Polish example. I do not know all the details, but as I understand it, Poland made licensing agreements with South Korean military contractors that enable them to build South Korean tanks and AFVs on Polish soil. I don’t think South Korean designs have been tested in combat, but the South Koreans are some of the best manufacturers in the world.
This strategy would enable Europeans to skip the lengthy procurement, design and testing phase and get right into production. I am sure that the South Koreans would be happy to train the necessary skilled labor, so all the European governments would need to do is provide the capital.
I don’t see a better option.
I think a market like Poland would be an interesting opportunity for the right form of European founder.
With respect to Europe’s energy strategies—everyone that has doubted American frackers from Tillerson to MBS to Putin has ended up with egg on their respective faces. What the American fracking industry has done this century will end up being the most important development of the century…it’s definitely the most important development so far.
Yes, Shale oil and gas is the biggest energy revolution of the 21st Century. Unfortunately, it has been confined to the United States due to political opposition abroad.
https://frompovertytoprogress.substack.com/p/why-greens-should-love-fracking
That’s incorrect. Fracking in Louisiana supplies a significant portion of Europe’s natural gas via LNG. Ultimately it’s all about price and natural gas is cheap AF in America and Europe seems to be making imported LNG work for them. Btw, the Bush administration and Tillerson believed we could make LNG imported from Qatar work in America prior to fracking being proven economical.
I meant production. There is relatively little shale oil or gas production outside North America.
At this point it doesn’t really matter because America has so much and it’s so cheap. Bush and Tillerson thought America would be fine importing LNG from Qatar and so I think it’s safe to assume Europe and Japan and South Korea will be fine importing LNG from America and Australia and Qatar.