The European defence landscape has witnessed over the past four years the shifting nature of modern-warfare, where hybrid strategies can shatter global stability in an instant. 

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Yet, the traditional "trident" remains indispensable: a ready navy, adaptable infantry, and rapid-response air power are still the bedrock of any credible deterrence.

This leads to the sobering question currently haunting the halls of military power: are Europe’s forces actually capable of quelling the threats of tomorrow?A "New Model Army" for Europe: inspired by a centuries-old blueprint: Earlier this month, I sat down for a fascinating discussion with a remarkable individual, Nicholas Tobias.

A veteran of the storied French Foreign Legion who later served as an infantry officer in the US military, Nicholas has operated in Afghanistan and across some of the world’s most volatile regions.

Having previously relied on his insights for my own security research, I have found him to be a perceptive voice on geopolitical affairs. Our most recent conversation, however, turned toward a more singular and urgent focus: the structural strengthening of European defence.The conflict in Ukraine, coupled with the ever-encroaching threat of terrorism and the subversive tactics of hostile foreign actors, serves as a stark reminder that European peace sits on a fragile board. This has been further tested by recent escalations involving Iran and the broader tremors in the Middle East that inevitably send shock waves across the European continent.My dialogue with Nicholas initially focused on the granular aspects of the French Foreign Legion, such as close-quarter tactics and the rigours of their physical conditioning but it quickly pivoted toward the broader vulnerabilities currently facing the Continent.

Nicholas possesses an innately strategic mind. His tenure in the Legion, coupled with elite credentials as a Jumpmaster and a graduate of the US Army Ranger School, marks him as a quintessential soldier's soldier. Yet, this operational background is matched by a notable intellectual depth.A true polyglot, the American is proficient in eight languages, spanning French, Italian, and German to Russian, Modern Hebrew, and Levantine Arabic.

This linguistic breadth is underpinned by an Ivy League education and a profound devotion to European culture and history. It is from this marriage of academic insight and frontline experience that he proposes a bold vision for European........

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