Meathead
Diamond Member
Only through NATO does Europe have an integrated defense capable of withstanding a Russian onslaught. In truth, if the US is not perceived of committing to its obligations under the treaty, Europe, especially the former Warsaw Pact states, feels justifiably threatened by Putin who is inarguably seeking to re-establish the sphere of influence which it had during the Soviet period.I have to disagree on this issue with you albeit on most issues we do have similar views. Run the numbers by population and military strength comparing the Russian Federation and the EU. Considering conventional warfare the EU is capable to stand an army with twice as many personnel as Russia, calculating with 10% of the population what is applicable for total mobilization. The EU is equipped with state of the art military hardware and a nuclear arsenal. Why would they need the U.S. unless they want to spend other people's money and blood for their defense? BTW, Russia is not a threat to the EU.
Weak American leadership is alarming for them and the current administration has done nothing to ally those fears.