The institutional framework mitigating nuclear weapon risks has weakened significantly, raising concerns about proliferation. Europe must now focus on strengthening conventional capabilities, maintaining US engagement, and upholding restraint to prevent deterrence from failing.

<p>The risks raised by nuclear weapons remain as potent as ever, but the institutional framework that mitigated them has been severely eroded. The task now is to prevent deterrence from giving way to proliferation—which, for Europe, means building conventional capabilities, keeping the US engaged, and upholding restraint.</p>