If we take seriously the emerging structure of priorities in the NSS, a structural tension appears that is difficult to ignore.

On the one hand, “peace through strength” is elevated to the status of a central strategic principle. On the other hand, Europe is being increasingly and explicitly pressured to relax restrictions related to climate policy, decarbonization, and carbon footprint. These two signals are functionally connected.

Energy dominance operates as a strategic instrument only insofar as there is sustained demand from allied markets. Europe remains the only large, solvent, and politically aligned market capable of playing this role. In this context, pressure on European climate regulations becomes structural.

Without the relaxation of European constraints, energy leverage contracts; without energy leverage, “peace through strength” remains a slogan without an economic foundation.

The question for Europe is whether it understands clearly enough the terms of the exchange before accepting it.