Nato

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Europe
Transatlantic rift
Denmark's Rebild festival marks US 250th anniversary without American officials
Denmark's Rebild Festival, the largest Fourth of July celebration outside the United States, will go ahead on America's 250th anniversary without representatives of the US state. Aalborg Municipality threatened to withdraw its funding unless embassy and military officials were dropped, and for the second year running organisers have not invited Donald Trump's traditional presidential greeting — fallout from Washington's campaign to take control of Greenland.
By Julia Weber17 hr ago
Europe
Transatlantic realignment
Canada's Defence Chief Comes to Luxembourg, and Europe Is the Real Audience
Canada's defence minister David McGuinty made the first visit by a member of the federal government to Luxembourg in 81 years, talking Ukraine, NATO procurement and the €150bn SAFE programme that Ottawa has just joined.
By Julia Weber20 June 2026
Politics
NATO 3.0
America tells Europe to lead its own defence — and Luxembourg does the maths
In Brussels, the US defence secretary announced a six-month review of America's military footprint in Europe, tying its outcome to how fast allies take charge of their own security. For Luxembourg — host of NATO's procurement agency yet a low spender by share of output — the pressure is suddenly concrete.
By Julia Weber18 June 2026
World
Defence and space
Luxembourg approves EUR 301 million financing for second military satellite
Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies voted 57 to 60 on 21 January 2026 to authorise a EUR 301 million financing law for GovSat-2, a secure government and military communications satellite. Run through the 50/50 LuxGovSat joint venture between the Luxembourg State and operator SES, the project routes the build to France's Thales Alenia Space and the launch to Arianespace. Defence Minister Yuriko Backes framed it as a contribution to EU and NATO security and a bet on European strategic autonomy.
By Pierre Hansen31 May 2026
World
Defence spending
Luxembourg sets out roadmap raising defence spending toward NATO's 5% goal by 2035
Luxembourg's Defence Minister Yuriko Backes presented a roadmap on 20 May 2026 raising military spending by 0.1 points of GNI annually to 2.3% (EUR 1,665 million) by 2029, an incremental first step toward NATO's 5%-by-2035 pledge. The national finance council puts the cumulative extra cost at EUR 13.4 billion, with annual spending set to nearly quadruple. Backes rejected an "arms race" framing.
By Julia Weber26 May 2026
Politics
Security policy
Luxembourg maps a EUR1.67bn defence effort by 2029, while reserving judgment on NATO's 2035 target
Luxembourg plans to lift defence investment to 2.3% of GNI by 2029, estimated at EUR1.665 billion that year, while reviewing later steps toward NATO's wider 2035 commitment.
By Julia Weber25 May 2026
Politics
Defence policy
Luxembourg defence spending roadmap: 2.3% of GNI by 2029, then a new decision point
Luxembourg will raise defence spending by 0.1 percentage points of GNI each year through 2029. The roadmap translates into estimated outlays of ?1.373 billion in 2027, ?1.513 billion in 2028 and ?1.665 billion in 2029.
By Julia Weber and Marie-Anne Kayser20 May 2026
Europe
NATO
Pentagon to Withdraw 5,000 Troops From Germany After Merz Criticism of US Iran Strategy
Washington will withdraw roughly 14% of its troop presence in Germany following Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of US Iran-war strategy, in a move that has rattled NATO allies.
By Mathias Faber4 May 2026
Politics
Transatlantic
Pentagon Confirms Withdrawal of 5,000 US Troops from Germany
On 1 May 2026, the Pentagon announced a partial drawdown of US forces in Germany, fulfilling a Trump threat made amid public clashes with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over defence spending and trade.
By Mathias Faber1 May 2026
Politics
Defence
Luxembourg's 2026 Defence Budget Reaches €882 Million, With 5% of GNI Targeted by 2035
The 2026 defence budget reaches roughly €882 million (1.43% of GNI), with NATO's 2% target now expected to be met around 2026 and a 5% trajectory under consideration by 2035 — accelerated, possibly, before this June's NATO summit.
By Noah Schreiber15 April 2026