There are dozens of wars in Europe. Some are ancient while others are newer and more modern. One of the main causes of European wars was religion. There were also conflicts due to the Soviet Union's threats. These wars were fought in Asia as well as Europe. You can learn about them in this article.
The primary reason for wars in Europe was religion
History of religion and war goes back to the early modern age. Europe saw wars fought over religion. Religious conflicts were a major focus of public attention. This led to the creation of many publications to provide coverage in real time.
Many times, wars of religion were fought between neighbouring countries or between foreign powers. These wars of religion targeted entire populations, causing great collateral damage. These conflicts often affected common people. During the Thirty Years' War, for example, mercenary soldiers pillaged villages and destroyed property.
Transatlantic cooperation
Although Europe and the United States were traditionally allies, the recent terrorist attack has demonstrated that the transatlantic relation is becoming more fragile. Europe will struggle to maintain its military relevance in Washington, as the United States is primarily focused on international terrorism. In this environment, Europe will need to make significant changes to remain a reliable and influential partner in the United States.
To avoid another war in Europe, a more constructive transatlantic collaboration is needed. Washington and Europe share a commitment to the preservation of the transatlantic alliance, regardless of the differences in their relationships. Transatlantic cooperation will only work if allies agree on key global issues. But, Europeans might be cautious about Washington's willingness to accept constructive criticism.
Soviet threat
The Soviet threat of wars in Europe is real, growing, and must not be ignored. The Soviet Union's nuclear capabilities have significantly increased since the Cold War. They are now more powerful than NATO's. In Europe, the Soviets are now the most important player in conventional warfare. NATO's artillery, antitank guns, air defense systems and artillery is almost three to 1. The Soviet Union's mobile SS-20 missile has a range over 5,000 kilometers, and can reach any corner of Europe in under ten minutes.
The Cold War saw the USSR as a polar opposite, with mutual suspicion and distrust towards each other. However, in the 1970s, Soviet and American leaders began negotiating and signing strategic arms limitations agreements. Brezhnev, who declared peaceful coexistence as the norm in 1973 warned that wars might still break out throughout the Third World.
The Impact of Nuclear Weapons
It is crucial to understand the effects of nuclear weapons on Europe's security in a world that has seen the threat of nuclear war increase. The consequences of their use can be devastating. The Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference is nearing. Policy-makers are trying keep up with the ever-changing nuclear threat. While the nuclear-weapon state are building their arsenals, they continue to grow. Iran, for instance, has a breakout time of less that a month. The Iranian nuclear deal was canceled by the US president, which has increased the danger.
After the Second World War, many European countries considered building nuclear weapons. Some even began nuclear weapons programmes, including Sweden. Recent research has revealed that the country is now closer to possessing nuclear weapons than people believed. Germany's government considered creating a European nuclear bomb along with France and Italy. In fact Franz Josef Strauss, Germany’s defence minister, secretly signed an accord with his counterparts at Paris and Rome.