Eastern Frontline

More Money, Less Impact? Europe’s Defence Spending Problem

Europe is increasing defence spending at an unprecedented pace. But is it making Europe more secure? In this episode oft the Eastern Frontline Group's podcast, Latvian MEP Reinis Pozņaks and Dutch MEP Reinier van Lanschot are joined by economist Guntram Wolff to examine the economics behind Europe’s defence push. They explore the key question at the heart of the debate: is defence spending truly an investment, or simply government expenditure with limited long-term returns? The conversation looks at how Europe is spending its money, why a significant share still flows to non-European suppliers, and what that means for both security and economic growth. It also examines the structural challenges facing Europe’s defence market, from fragmentation and lack of competition, to the difficulty of integrating small innovative firms into procurement systems. They discuss: * why higher spending does not automatically mean greater security * the case for a more integrated European defence market * how competition can reduce costs and increase production * the role of startups and innovation in modern defence * and whether Europe needs to rethink its approach to defence as part of a broader economic strategy At a time of rising geopolitical pressure, the episode asks a fundamental question: how can Europe spend better, not just spend more?

How Innovation is Redefining the Battlefield – and Why NATO Must Adapt

Innovation is changing warfare faster than ever before. In this episode of Eastern Frontline, MEP Reinis Pozņaks and MEP Rasa Juknevičienė are joined by Nikos Loutas, NATO’s Director of Innovation, to explore how new technologies — from drones to artificial intelligence — are reshaping the battlefield. Drawing on lessons from Ukraine, they discuss how rapid innovation cycles, commercial technologies and new defence startups are transforming modern conflict. What once took years to develop can now evolve in weeks. But while technology is accelerating, procurement systems and defence structures are struggling to keep up. We find out:  * how NATO is working to integrate new technologies into defence planning * why small and medium-sized companies are now central to military innovation * the challenge of turning innovation into deployable capability * the growing role of artificial intelligence in future warfare * and why speed — not just spending — is now the decisive factor in defence It is a timely discussion on the race to adapt, and what it will take for Europe and NATO to stay ahead.

Europe Under Cyber Attack: The New Frontline of Security

Cyber attacks are happening every day across Europe — often thousands of times per minute. But how serious is the threat? And how prepared is Europe to deal with it? In this episode of Eastern Frontline, Latvian MEP Reinis Pozņaks and Estonian MEP Jaak Madison are joined by Juhan Lepassaar, Executive Director of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). They discuss how cyber threats are evolving, why artificial intelligence is making attacks more sophisticated, and why Europe’s digital economy was never designed with security in mind. The conversation explores the growing role of state-backed cyber actors, the vulnerabilities in global technology supply chains, and the challenge of building resilience across Europe’s critical infrastructure, from energy networks to hospitals. They also examine what governments, businesses and citizens can do to protect themselves in an era where cyber attacks are no longer exceptional events, but part of everyday geopolitical competition.

The Grey Zone: How Hybrid Warfare Is Reshaping European Security

Hybrid attacks are no longer isolated incidents. They are constant, deliberate and designed to test the limits of European security. In this episode of the Eastern Frontline Podcast, MEPs Reinis Pozņaks and Merja Kyllönen speak with Jamie Shea, former Deputy Assistant Secretary General at NATO, about how hybrid warfare is reshaping the strategic landscape in Europe. From cyberattacks and sabotage to disinformation, drones and attacks on critical infrastructure, these operations operate below the threshold of traditional war — but their cumulative impact is profound. Together, they explore: ·         What hybrid warfare really means, and why it has become a central tool of modern conflict ·         Why these attacks are becoming more frequent, coordinated and sophisticated ·         The strategic goal of undermining trust, solidarity and political cohesion in Europe ·         The dilemma of escalation: when does a hybrid attack trigger a collective response? ·         Why Europe must move from reactive crisis management to long-term containment The conversation offers a clear, practical and timely look at the “grey zone” between peace and war — and what it means for European resilience and deterrence.

Inside the Information War: Journalism on Europe’s Frontline

In today’s conflicts, some of the fiercest battles are not fought with weapons, but with information. In this episode, MEP Reinis Pozņaks and MEP Petras Auštrevičius are joined by Sarah Wheaton, Chief Policy Correspondent at Politico Europe, to explore the role of journalism in times of crisis and the growing pressure on independent media. Together, they discuss: * How disinformation and polarisation are reshaping public debate in Europe * The challenge of verifying truth in an era of AI, deepfakes and viral content * Why trust in traditional media is eroding, and what that means for democracy * How foreign influence operations fuel division  * Whether governments should regulate information in wartime * The uncomfortable reality that journalists themselves are now targets It is a candid, timely conversation about power, perception and the line between information and manipulation.