Is Europe at War? “We are not at war, but we are no longer at peace either,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on 29 September 2025, referring to Russia. Western Europe now sees itself as the target of a hybrid conflict waged by Moscow, involving drone incursions, disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks and political interference. As Europe embarks on a massive rearmament programme and several countries reintroduce conscription, the coherence of this strategy is increasingly questioned. At the same time, NATO’s credibility is being tested by the actions of the Trump administration, from its claims over Greenland to its disregard for international law and its willingness to fuel nationalist tensions in Europe while openly sidelining the EU.