Western Europe stands alone

[uk 75]

Whoever wins the US elections it is clear that even those sympathetic to supporting Ukraine like the excellent Youtuber Jake Broe are fed up with Western Europeans moaning about American politicians while doing so little ourselves.
When you look at the size of the combined economies of Germany, France and Italy then add UK, Poland and Scandinavia it is hard to disagree with Jake. We should be in the position to give Putin sleepless nights not the reverse.
Fine, but how does a divided and querelous Europe get there.
We have learnt the hard way that as in the period 1918 to 1933 we have allowed our armed forces to shrink to unrealistic levels.
In 1933 we still had (barely) enough time to rearm and war did not involve the potential use of nuclear weapons that would end our societies for good.
For all their problems Britain and France still have the cores of decent forces, France more than UK. Our militaries work rather better together than our politicians.
Both work well with other European armed forces like the Bundeswehr.
Finland, Poland and Sweden have given a powerful boost to Europe's combined military strength. Politicians in the Baltics have led the way in urging us to safeguard hard won freedoms.
Even if (unlikely given how much Americans helped to create it) the US reduces or ends its NATO role, the Alliance must survive. As in WW2 Canada remains a vital partner.
NATO has ensured that most of our armed forces have trained together. It is the best and only way of combining our disparate military traditions.
So let us here think what we can do to get W Europe in better shape.

 

[Foo Fighter]

Increase defence spending and protect defence procurement.

Investment n our defence benefits us in employment and keeping money in our economies after all.

Make sure what is spent goes on projects which are properly led and motivated to get a worthwhile result rather than having different leadership and wavering direction.

A big pair of brass articles worn with detemination and direction rather than obfuscation and policies of the wimp.

I truly believe that proper leadership would have prevented the current situations across the globe, it is only when we demonstrate a lack of resolve that a percieved advantage crops up and exploitation of those situations occurs.

The best defence is a good offence, or at least the potential for those who are minded to do so, to kick our proverbial.

 

[uk 75]

Very commendable sentiments which reinforce my question which I left open but will now close.
Given the countries we have, the weapons and industry they do have, what can be done in Europe to combine them and get more and better equipment?

 

[Dilandu]

Or maybe you should think instead about reaching rapprochement with Russia, instead of starting another round of useless East-vs-West confrontation - confrontation, that would benefits neither Russia nor EU, but only US and China?

 

[paralay]

The future of Europe is poverty and oblivion, what kind of confrontation do you dream of here? And if during the Trump administration the whole world is faced with a global catastrophe, as modern prophets shout at every corner, then the situation will become completely bleak

 

[Arjen]

Because of developments, Sweden and Finland have sought rapprochement - with NATO.

 

[uk 75]

No problem with talking to anyone but the lesson of Munich is you need to carry something more than an umbrella.
Hitler like Putin believed he was the victim not the aggressor.
Even Chamberlain recognised the need to build up the RAF and was a lot less feeble with Hitler than Europeans have been with Putin.

 

[Archibald]

If Putin really wants to play dumb he will be reminded of the existence of ASMP-A and M51 missiles.

 

[Justo Miranda]

Europe is incapable of defending its own borders from the assault of illegal immigrants that fuels far-right movements, Europe is incapable of agreeing on something as simple as internal security in the face of terrorism, espionage, trafficking in drugs, human beings and black money. Europe is not able to stop the ideological abuses committed by environmentalists against our industry and our energy generation systems. Europe is nothing.

 

[Dilandu]

I.e. the Europe is willing to spend its resources on confronting Russia - and thus forcing Russia to do the same with its limited resources - guaranteeing that neither Europe nor Russia would be able to act as independent actors, and making them both the prize for the victor of Sino-American confrontation. Not exactly attractive scenario if put that way?

 

[ArmchairSamurai]

Europe is incapable of defending its own borders from the assault of illegal immigrants that fuels far-right movements, Europe is incapable of agreeing on something as simple as internal security in the face of terrorism, espionage, trafficking in drugs, human beings and black money. Europe is not able to stop the ideological abuses committed by environmentalists against our industry and our energy generation systems. Europe is nothing.

 

[Jemiba]

Sorry folks, but even for The Bar, this thread is too deep into politics from the start, to have a chance of survival here.
First signs already can be seen ....