September 15, 2025

Brussels Sprouts LIVE: Europe with Less U.S.: Preventing Russia Opportunistic Aggression in Europe

Despite the degradation of Moscow’s military in Ukraine, senior western officials estimate that it could reconstitute its forces within two to five years. A new CNAS report considers how a crisis in the Indo-Pacific could shape Russia’s willingness to test NATO. U.S. involvement in a major crisis in Asia would cause Washington to redeploy resources and would-be reinforcements for Europe to the Indo-Pacific, which would create meaningful gaps in NATO defenses. This, in turn, could lead Moscow to perceive a golden opportunity to accomplish its aims: divide the United States and Europe, expand its sphere of influence, and revise the security order in Europe.

To discuss the latest Russian provocations and how NATO can fill the gaps in its defenses, we are very fortunate to be joined by General (Ret.) Philip Breedlove and Admiral (Ret.) James Foggo.

General (Ret.) Philip Breedlove served as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command from 2013-2016, capping a 39-year Air Force career.

Admiral (Ret.) James Foggo served as Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa from 2017-2020, capping a 39-year Navy career.

  • Podcast

    Transatlantic Security

    Can Europe (Ever) Defend Itself?

    Today’s Brussels Sprouts discussion follows on from our conversation last week on whether middle powers have the ability to chart a course more independent of the United State...

    By Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Jim Townsend & Franz-Stefan Gady

    • February 10, 2026
  • Podcast

    Transatlantic Security

    Carney's Challenge: Can Europe Take the Reins of NATO?

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made headlines at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos with his speech in which he declared that the international system is in the mi...

    By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend

    • February 6, 2026
  • Podcast

    Transatlantic Security

    Transatlantic Tumult at Davos

    It has been a tumultuous month in the transatlantic alliance. This week, President Donald Trump’s demands to take control of Greenland reached a fever pitch. On Sunday, Presid...

    By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend

    • January 23, 2026
  • Podcast

    Transatlantic Security

    Europe's Defense Dilemma

    Since the invasion of Ukraine, European states have taken major steps to rebuild their defense industrial bases, both to supply Ukraine and to rebuild their own militaries. Eu...

    By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend

    • January 16, 2026

View All Reports View All Articles & Multimedia