Well, Europe, let's stop complaining and let's rearm ourselves. Not only our military, but also our industry and our political power. It's nice to have high living standards and social benefits but you need to be able to pay for them and to defend yourself against who wants to take it from you
Lack of speed and lack of resolve in Europe is depressing and infuriating. Instead of waiting for Germany or France to take the lead perhaps a group of smaller but more determined countries should step up their support for Ukraine and rearm at the same time. NB8 is already doing a lot although 🇳🇴, the richest of them could and should do much more both In Ukraine and at home. If 🇵🇱🇳🇱 could join them in upping the game this group might be able to lead and push on other European countries to follow.
I have to say, as a European I find the complete lack of strategic foresight and initiative incredibly infuriating. It has been pretty obvious for well over a decade both that 1) Russia is an aggressively revanchist state and 2) that strategically the US is far more interested in Asia than it was in Europe. And yet our leaders still do a 'surprised pikachu face' when these 2 obvious facts are pushed in front of them, and quibble about seriously providing for the defence of our continent.
Appreciating your reframing of the actual power, as compared to our manipulated perception. Russia is not the USSR, and doesn’t have the same level of resources. It does have the USSR’s propaganda capabilities, which we still underestimate, so we don’t counter it much at all. Putin scored a big win by convincing the US that it is “too smart” to be susceptible to malign influence campaigns so well that we forget it primarily targets emotions, not intellect. Maybe it would help if we countered with our own campaign to counter Putin’s’ passivity promoting influencers?
"the American president appears determined to settle the war as quickly as possible, even if it means overriding Ukraine’s interests and those of America’s European allies."
That's wrong - the russian run US administration is settling the deal in favour of russian terrorist state.
Also America is not isolationist. America is allaying itself with russian terrorist state.
This is the first article of yours I've read, and I'm quite pleased.
You write, "The EU’s GDP alone is ten times that of Russia. "
This seems a key fact which is often being widely ignored. Trump's games won't be a disaster for Europe if it uses this opportunity to embrace it's real power. Europe is rich. It shouldn't have to worry about what we Americans do or don't do, and it shouldn't have to worry about Russia either.
You write, "The continent behaves like a spoiled young adult, unaccustomed to thinking for itself, now forced to confront reality."
That seems to be the situation, but it can be remedied. Europe can come out of this period, free, strong, safe, and independent.
Why do you think there is a “Europe” in military affairs? The UE is mostly an hamonizing organization.
It can help in making all weapons and bullets of Europe compatible, or in providing subsidies, or helping with the electrical network of Ukraine.
But now Europe is mostly an alibibi for the large governments inaction. Europe has a long history of military coalitions. You don’t need to wait for the UE. France, Germany, Poland and Sweden are the countries that shall prepare for possible action.
Well, Europe, let's stop complaining and let's rearm ourselves. Not only our military, but also our industry and our political power. It's nice to have high living standards and social benefits but you need to be able to pay for them and to defend yourself against who wants to take it from you
And stop buying F35s right away, as Trump will just deactivate them.
F-35s, P-8, global hawks and predator/reapers, patriot, himars....
Lack of speed and lack of resolve in Europe is depressing and infuriating. Instead of waiting for Germany or France to take the lead perhaps a group of smaller but more determined countries should step up their support for Ukraine and rearm at the same time. NB8 is already doing a lot although 🇳🇴, the richest of them could and should do much more both In Ukraine and at home. If 🇵🇱🇳🇱 could join them in upping the game this group might be able to lead and push on other European countries to follow.
Perfectly said.
I have to say, as a European I find the complete lack of strategic foresight and initiative incredibly infuriating. It has been pretty obvious for well over a decade both that 1) Russia is an aggressively revanchist state and 2) that strategically the US is far more interested in Asia than it was in Europe. And yet our leaders still do a 'surprised pikachu face' when these 2 obvious facts are pushed in front of them, and quibble about seriously providing for the defence of our continent.
Well said. The problem is indeed mindset not capacity. They cannot match us economically; time for the gloves to come off 👍
Appreciating your reframing of the actual power, as compared to our manipulated perception. Russia is not the USSR, and doesn’t have the same level of resources. It does have the USSR’s propaganda capabilities, which we still underestimate, so we don’t counter it much at all. Putin scored a big win by convincing the US that it is “too smart” to be susceptible to malign influence campaigns so well that we forget it primarily targets emotions, not intellect. Maybe it would help if we countered with our own campaign to counter Putin’s’ passivity promoting influencers?
Gdp's are better to compare with purchasing power parity. Using ppp, Russia's economy in 1/4 of that of the EU.
The EU needs to ask itself. Is Mariupol the future for Paris Rome or Berlin? The time to think has expired! It's now or never!
"the American president appears determined to settle the war as quickly as possible, even if it means overriding Ukraine’s interests and those of America’s European allies."
That's wrong - the russian run US administration is settling the deal in favour of russian terrorist state.
Also America is not isolationist. America is allaying itself with russian terrorist state.
That's the new reality we live in.
This is the first article of yours I've read, and I'm quite pleased.
You write, "The EU’s GDP alone is ten times that of Russia. "
This seems a key fact which is often being widely ignored. Trump's games won't be a disaster for Europe if it uses this opportunity to embrace it's real power. Europe is rich. It shouldn't have to worry about what we Americans do or don't do, and it shouldn't have to worry about Russia either.
You write, "The continent behaves like a spoiled young adult, unaccustomed to thinking for itself, now forced to confront reality."
That seems to be the situation, but it can be remedied. Europe can come out of this period, free, strong, safe, and independent.
EU should pursue and speed up drilling for the Greek, and take advantage of the Israeli and Cypriot resources.
Of course Turks oppose but they should land on the real world.
Very disheartened with "the plan", indeed. And I don't know if Europe can actually step up.
Why do you think there is a “Europe” in military affairs? The UE is mostly an hamonizing organization.
It can help in making all weapons and bullets of Europe compatible, or in providing subsidies, or helping with the electrical network of Ukraine.
But now Europe is mostly an alibibi for the large governments inaction. Europe has a long history of military coalitions. You don’t need to wait for the UE. France, Germany, Poland and Sweden are the countries that shall prepare for possible action.