Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee comprised of member nations’ defense chiefs, has warned that conflict has returned to Europe. Speaking at the Berlin Security Conference, Bauer emphasized that businesses in Europe and the United States must prepare for scenarios akin to wartime. He stressed that commercial decisions have strategic implications for national security.
“Business leaders in Europe and America need to realize that the commercial decisions they make have strategic consequences for the security of their nation,” Admiral Bauer said, continuing: “Businesses need to be prepared for a wartime scenario and adjust their production and distribution lines accordingly.”
He ominously added: “Ladies and Gentlemen, war is back on the European continent. And over the past years, more and more people in Europe realize that war can happen to them too… again.”
According to Bauer, a large-scale general war, such as a hypothetical World War III, would demand substantial civilian involvement. This would require governments to establish systems to mobilize and manage civilian resources efficiently.
Bauer called for a shift in mindset from predictable and controlled operations to adapting to unpredictability. He emphasized the importance of maintaining an industrial base capable of rapidly producing weapons and ammunition to continue a conflict if necessary.
Earlier this year, Bauer warned about potential conscription if NATO becomes involved in extensive hostilities with Russia. Finland, for instance, which has extensive borders with Russia, has developed a network of bomb shelters in case of emergency.
In recent weeks, the Biden-Harris government in the U.S. has approved a series of escalations by Ukraine against Russia, leading some to worry that a misstep could trigger a broader and more devastating conflict.
NATO image by British Army Sgt. Ian Houlding.
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