00:00I just want to jump in and make two points.
00:02One, I just wanted to say that I found some of the observations by Sir Michael and Professor Nadia very
00:09instructive.
00:10But the larger point is about can Europe go alone?
00:16Can it take a different path from the United States when it comes to its own core security and strategic
00:21interests?
00:22I just make one broad point as a naval person, as a sailor.
00:26To the extent that major powers are invested in strategic deterrence.
00:32And this strategic deterrent is the ballistic missile submarine, the SSBN.
00:40And currently there is a certain global balance in terms of how that deterrent is maintained by the major powers,
00:48the United States, UK, France in the Western alliance, and what Russia, China and India now also have.
00:56There is what I would call a certain status quo.
01:00My reading as a sailor is that Europe cannot go it alone.
01:06As far as the deterrent at sea is concerned, they are heavily reliant on the United States.
01:12So, to my mind, that is not an option.
01:15It would not be a prudent option if the European Union and the security leadership in Europe wants to remain
01:22invested in that kind of a deterrent.
01:24Will AI, will technology give you new options?
01:27That's a question mark.
01:28So, that's the first broad point.
01:30The second is when I hear Michael and Nadia talking about the way in which the United States and Europe
01:35would find a modus vivendi,
01:38would it be fair to extend the point made by Professor Nadia that the United States will act depending on
01:44its own core national security interests and the way it perceives them?
01:50I mean, that is the broad reduction if I have understood her right.
01:52In which case, if next month, in March 2026, the White House comes to a determination that come what may,
02:02Greenland has to become part of the United States because it is in our core national security interests,
02:10then would Europe have to go along or would there be a divergence within Europe about that?
02:15So, these may be a bit stark, but to my mind, again, it appears that Europe has very few options.
02:21That when it comes to hard power, by the time Europe ramps up its defense spending,
02:27is able to invest in the really credible kinds of macro strategic power, it will take time.
02:35In the interim, you have Moscow, you have Ukraine, you have President Putin and whatever be his agenda.
02:41I'm sure there's an anxiety in most European capitals.
02:44So, there are very few credible options for Europe in terms of going alone.
02:49So, that's the limited point I wanted to make.
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