Europe prepares for life ‘between war and peace’

The Netherlands is leading a broader European effort to prepare civilians for a future in which countries may have to live “between war and peace”, amid growing concerns over Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and other forms of hybrid warfare. The Dutch government is expanding civilian preparedness exercises and advising households to maintain at least 72 hours of essential supplies. The effort draws on countries such as Finland, which has long maintained shelters, stockpiles and emergency training.

The Dutch approach goes beyond military threats, covering power cuts, floods, cyberattacks and other disruptions. In Sittard, near the German border, emergency drills have tested how communities could operate without phones, electricity or internet, including emergency support centres, generators, radio and alternative communications such as Starlink. The government is also developing an app that works without internet access and modernising its warning systems, reflecting a broader European shift towards rebuilding civilian resilience and preparing populations to remain functional during major crises.