Iron Rhine Can Be Revived: Why Europe Needs a Military Railway from World War II.

Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium are discussing the possible restoration of the railway line 'Iron Rhine'. The main goal is to improve military logistics in case of a threat from Russia.

The 'Iron Rhine' route was very important in the 19th century, connecting the Belgian Antwerp with the German Ruhr area. It played a key role in the movement of Allied troops during World War II, but after 1991, some sections were abandoned.

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany are developing negotiations on the restoration of the route due to the increasing military threat from Russia and the EU's need for rapid deployment of military resources.

What Problems Arise in the Restoration of the Route

Brussels is most interested in restoring the railway route. However, without the support of the Netherlands, the project's implementation is impossible. The Hague is hesitant to support the initiative due to the short section of the route and the existing Betuwe line.

Germany also faces difficulties in reconstructing the route due to the challenging terrain in the Aachen area and the consequences of the Rastatt tunnel collapse in 2017.

Recently, Lithuania and Ukraine have also been actively working on security and military cooperation issues.

Discussions about the possible restoration of the 'Iron Rhine' railway line indicate rising tensions in Europe and the need to enhance military readiness among EU countries in case of threats. Restoring this important route could prove crucial for quick and effective response to potential military threats from the eastern neighbor.