ironranger67 said:The truth is, Europe relies on the US because there’s simply no way to stand up to Russia without them.
If it weren't for that American security umbrella, the Russians would basically be doing whatever they wanted across Western and Eastern Europe—either through force or by infiltrating governments using oil and gas money.
So, for anyone who thinks Americans are the ultimate villains, just try imagining an American neighborhood where Russia calls all the shots through its local proxies. ☕
Sure, in some perfect little utopia, Europe would be completely independent and focused on its own interests, and Russia would just be a peaceful neighbor that doesn't try to exploit the fact that they have a massive military advantage over everyone else.
But that's just not how reality works.
Reading posts filled with this kind of American idolatry,
I sometimes wonder how Europe even survived on the continent
all those empty centuries without these great American saviors?
Yeah, sure, the trashed Russians of the 90s with a hangover would have "slapped anyone they could."
No, quite the opposite. Take Americans like Kenneth Waltz and John Mearsheimer,
or even Jacko Snyder,
and read what they say about the utility of that NATO
umbrella after the end of the Cold War and the implications for Europe,
as well as European dependence on American military aid
which actually made Europe invalid and incapable of handling
even minimal security challenges.
Spoiler alert—the presence of NATO after the end of the Cold War worsened the security architecture
in Europe rather than improving it, because instead of bringing Russia closer to Europe when it was on its knees,
it just pushed them further away.
