Can Europe stand without the US?

Enlarge this image A convoy of Bundeswehr vehicles and heavily armed soldiers drives along a road in the north of Hanover. Julian Stratenschulte/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Julian Stratenschulte/Getty Images A convoy of Bundeswehr vehicles and heavily armed soldiers drives along a road in the north of Hanover. Julian Stratenschulte/Getty Images As relations between the US and Europe continue to sour, European countries are working to lower their reliance on the U.S. for weapons and security. Today on the show, we ask what Europe needs to do to become independent militarily and what potential barriers could stand in the way. Related episodes:Europe’s NATO members take an economic hit (Apple / Spotify)Two Indicators: Economics of the defense industry (Apple / Spotify) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter. Sponsor Message