Nuclear Deterrent - A Strategy for Europe

This Swiss documentary examines the shifting geopolitical landscape of European security. It explores how the Russian invasion of Ukraine and changing transatlantic relations have led experts to question the reliability of American nuclear protection. Using archival footage and expert testimony, the film traces the history of global power balances from the end of the Second World War through the Cold War to current crises. The narrative focuses on the tension between Europe's desire for strategic autonomy and its continued dependence on outside powers, specifically highlighting the role of France as the continent's sole independent nuclear power.

Directed and written by Andrea Hauner, the film was produced by NZZ Format and ZDF/Arte. The production features a series of narrators appearing as themselves, including Danny Exnar, Jonas Rüegg, Miro Lorenzo Maurer, Irina Schönen, Maike Bräutigam, and Edward Piccin. The documentary has a runtime of 53 minutes and was released on March 26, 2026.