[kogus]

As an American, I am also gratified to see the EU take steps toward independence from US foreign policy. Independence doesn't mean enmity; it just means that the EU and US should both be adults in the room, reaching decisions on equal terms.

If one takes a longer view of things, the period from WW2 to now is very much an anomaly reflecting relative European weakness in the aftermath of that war's physical and moral destruction. There is no intrinsic reason that the US should take the lead on, say, policy toward Russia. Quite the opposite.

[jijijijij]

As if the US influence was built on charity for poor Europe... It's been all Red Scare and geopolitical power play. The US influence was nothing but intrinsically motivated. The only reason Germany was allowed to be rebuilt was its function as east bloc barrier.

The current US government is throwing away a world power status of unimaginable costs, which literally took almost a century to build. For better or worse, but let's not spin fairy tales about the why and when.

[dblangford]

US has historically taken the lead in policy regarding Russia to avoid nuclear proliferation in Europe. If the US umbrella is perceived as being unreliable then I think that is what will see.

[kazen44]

this is already happening. France has already stated it will extend its nuclear umbrella to the rest of the EU. the discussion about either an EU integrated army compared to nato is also back on the table after being basically politically dead for nearly 60 years.

[throw-the-towel]

But Europe did block the rapprochement with Russia in the 1990s, which the US was trying to achieve. https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/secret-documents-...

[foogazi]

> If one takes a longer view of things, the period from WW2 to now is very much an anomaly

WW2 was the anomaly- a conflict impacting all nations on earth, with Europe falling under a horrible regime

[jacquesm]

Unfortunately it looks as if lots of people have not learned the lessons from that war. This is a pity because that means lots of people died for absolutely nothing. I'll bet that half the right wing voters of today at a minimum would get their asses spanked by their grandparents if they were still alive.

[jacquesm]

I wouldn't say it was weakness rather than a sense of disgust about anything war related. Europe is tired of it, and precisely because of that may well end up in another major war.

[bix6]

That has more to do with their geography than their disgust no?

[ta20240528]

Damn, are you sure you're an American? :)