Capability programmes : Right path with soft commitments ?

The to-do list has been drafted. The member states' defence ministers announced their commitment, on 19 November, to four capabilities programmes meant to address ?critical shortfalls? identified in the EU's recent defence operations. These will be at the top of EU leaders' agenda at the European summit later this month. However, some worry it may be easier to draw up the list than scratch items off of it. While experts see the programmes as tackling important gaps in EU defence…