Strengthening European Defense Cooperation

Podcast host Meia Nouwens is joined by IISS experts Dr Ben Schreer, Fenella McGerty and Ester Sabatino to reflect on the 2nd IISS Prague Defence Summit, which was held on 3–5 September 2025. 

Meia, Ben, Fenella and Esther discuss the major takeaways from the Prague Defence Summit, including:

• Secretary General Mark Rutte’s call for stronger European defence production in the face of closer Russia–China cooperation;
• The sustainability of record-high defence spending and new ways to fund Europe’s security;
• How procurement reforms and EU initiatives are reshaping Europe’s defence industrial landscape;
• The growing role of Indo-Pacific and non-EU partners in strengthening European security.

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Date of Recording: 10 September 2025

The podcast is recorded and produced by the IISS. 

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