In an effort to build consistent European defense capabilities, EU member states have signed a joint defense pact that will combine their military resources to improve security cooperation. On Nov. 13, defense ministers from 23 of the 28 members of the bloc signed the Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defense agreement (commonly known as PESCO), which is part of a broader effort to wean the European Union off its reliance on the U.S. military and to showcase the bloc's solidarity in the wake of the Brexit. The pact also seeks to remove the inefficiencies of multiple EU countries spending money to develop the same thing. At a time when financial or institutional reforms are controversial, defense is one of the few areas where most EU member states can reach an understanding....
