Why can't Europe defend itself?

[Tellos Athenaios]

Does anyone have an idea what the world would look like if the US didn't have that ability? What would south korea look like? That's the only concrete thing I can think of.

And what would Iraq look like? Or Vietnam, or the middle east at large? See for every good there's also a bad to mention there. You are forgetting that this was not just the USA being generous in supporting the “good cause” it was (certainly later on) as much if not more the USA acting in what it believed to be its self interest.

So the question seems to be, should Europe shoulder its share of that, or can they just shrug it off as "world domination aspirations"?

Europe does not have to act in the USA's best interests. Just like the USA does not have to assist the UK either. And for what it's worth Europe is plenty often involved in “its share of that” at the USA's request. But why should we buy into this whole “big armies” thing now? For simply projecting force it is sufficient to have a few highly trained corps and some relatively expensive kit; loads of grunt power is not necessary.

Whether you agree with the US's current attempts is irrelevant, unless you want to argue that all such attempts are necessarily bad in the way you argue they are.

I'm not even saying the current situation is that bad. What I'm saying that there are alternatives which so far seem to work equally well or equally bad but do not require as much day to day management of scrapheaps and are cheaper due to that. So why should we copy the USA to no gain?

[rory_20_uk]

It's worse than not necessary - a large conventional army is expensive to move around, liable to cause bad press (killing locals or dying) and often ineffective. Intel-led special forces along with high tech backup isn't the silver bullet but is comparatively cheaper, harder for the enemy to hit and a lot easier to withdraw.

America and Americans appear to be incapable of understanding that their wants may not be the best for the rest of the world.

[InsaneApache]

Europe can defend itself and does. One of the reasons that euro-weenies don't project power is a hangover from empire. One of the consequences of the USA entering WWII was their insistence on the colonial powers dismantling their empires.

You're asking to have it both ways.

Then there's the economic situation at the moment. The difference between Europe and the USA is that our political systems evolved over centuries, whilst the USA got a brand new shiny one from the off. That's why the USA is broadly more right wing than Europe.

As an aside, during the American Revolution, Paul Revere would never have said "The British are coming", as he would have considered himself British. Strange I know to the modern American ear but there we are. Rather he said "The Regulars are out".

The colonialists considered themselves the true heirs of the English Civil War a hundred years earliier.

Makes more sense if you think about it.

[Vladimir]

Europe can defend itself and does. One of the reasons that euro-weenies don't project power is a hangover from empire. One of the consequences of the USA entering WWII was their insistence on the colonial powers dismantling their empires.

You're asking to have it both ways.

Then there's the economic situation at the moment. The difference between Europe and the USA is that our political systems evolved over centuries, whilst the USA got a brand new shiny one from the off. That's why the USA is broadly more right wing than Europe.

As an aside, during the American Revolution, Paul Revere would never have said "The British are coming", as he would have considered himself British. Strange I know to the modern American ear but there we are. Rather he said "The Regulars are out".

The colonialists considered themselves the true heirs of the English Civil War a hundred years earliier.

Makes more sense if you think about it.

I nominate this for the Post of the Thread award.

Oh and:

Quote Originally Posted by Andres View Post

It doesn't matter to you anyway, because you'll burn at the stake tonight for falsely accusing me of having a cellar filled with dishwater "Heineken" (I hope you payed your 75 $ or it'll be the last time you insulted me that way ) When will you learn that "Heineken" is not beer, let alone good beer. My cellar is filled with Ciney, Leffe, Floreffe, Quintine, Kriek Boon, the finest French and Spanish wines, champagne and a delicious bottle of Spumante.



I was offended by this as well.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

And what would Iraq look like? Or Vietnam, or the middle east at large? See for every good there's also a bad to mention there. You are forgetting that this was not just the USA being generous in supporting the “good cause” it was (certainly later on) as much if not more the USA acting in what it believed to be its self interest.

What kind of self interest? Well that's a big tangent probably. But you are shooting yourself in the foot here. If the US is doing a bad job, then Europe should step up.

Europe does not have to act in the USA's best interests. Just like the USA does not have to assist the UK either. And for what it's worth Europe is plenty often involved in “its share of that” at the USA's request. But why should we buy into this whole “big armies” thing now? For simply projecting force it is sufficient to have a few highly trained corps and some relatively expensive kit; loads of grunt power is not necessary.

I'll leave the military argument aside because saying what kind of force is needed is too big a question for me

But how is this about Europe acting in the USA's interests? Surely it is about Europe acting in the worlds best interest. You have to answer up to that.

I'm not even saying the current situation is that bad. What I'm saying that there are alternatives which so far seem to work equally well or equally bad but do not require as much day to day management of scrapheaps and are cheaper due to that. So why should we copy the USA to no gain?

What alternatives work well?

Well, if we can have more or less the same level of freedom and wealth under whatever new overlords, then, frankly, I don't care about which macho type tries to tell me he is ruling the world and that I'm a weakling. If that's what makes him happy, let him. I'm happy with my house, my car, my fridge full of food, my cellar full of wine and beer, some money on my savings accounts, firefighters nearby and enough free time and money to go on a holiday every once in a while.

If working your butt off with no holidays and no social security to maintain an awfully expensive army that needs to wage war every once in a while to justify its' existence is what makes you happy, then by all means, carry on. As long as you keep said army out of here (unless for defending me on your expenses), it's all fine by me

How is it about "ruling the world"? If some muscular guy said he was going to try and stop a woman being raped would you say that you were too busy going on vacation in your unburnt house with a cellar full of heinaken?

The EU has the golden opportunity to let the USA handle the fire zones and get the ill will, while Europe lean back and take the morale upper ground while still getting the better of the financial outcome.

Yes, that is the accusation made of Europe. It may be a golden opportunity economically, but is it justifiable?

***********

Bear in mind we're discussing a theoretical point in which large western militaries are an important preventative and policing force. The question of whether it is good or possible in reality is kind of hardcore.

[al Roumi]

What kind of self interest? Well that's a big tangent probably. But you are shooting yourself in the foot here. If the US is doing a bad job, then Europe should step up.

But how is this about Europe acting in the USA's interests? Surely it is about Europe acting in the worlds best interest. You have to answer up to that.

Bear in mind we're discussing a theoretical point in which large western militaries are an important preventative and policing force. The question of whether it is good or possible in reality is kind of hardcore.

There are cases where the US has arguably intervened in the interests of "world peace" and global good. These are arguably thinner on the ground of late. I would say the more positive examples lie around 50+ years ago, with the possible recent exception of Balkan missions e.g. Kosovo.

Do you really think the prime motivational factor for the US' adventurism since WW2 has been anything other than in its own interest, or that of its ideology? If it has and continues to claim the motive of "world peace", it has always been world peace on the USA's terms.

[caravel]

Do you really think the prime motivational factor for the US' adventurism since WW2 has been anything other than in its own interest, or that of its ideology? If it has and continues to claim the motive of "world peace", it has always been world peace on the USA's terms.

Unfortunately though the war in Iraq was clearly all about oil, there are still those that think that the US, UK, etc, went in there to "liberate" people from an evil dictator with (nonexistent) WMD.

[Andres]

How is it about "ruling the world"? If some muscular guy said he was going to try and stop a woman being raped would you say that you were too busy going on vacation in your unburnt house with a cellar full of heinaken?

Some would argue that that woman is not being raped but merely enjoying kinky sex and that the muscular guy is calling it "rape" because he's a macho who thinks kinky sex is wrong and who's also wanting to show the bystanders that he has muscles.

It doesn't matter to you anyway, because you'll burn at the stake tonight for falsely accusing me of having a cellar filled with dishwater "Heineken" (though luck if you forgot to pay your 75 $ ) When will you learn that "Heineken" is not beer, let alone good beer. My cellar is filled with Ciney, Leffe, Floreffe, Quintine, Kriek Boon, the finest French and Spanish wines, champagne and a delicious bottle of Spumante.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

There are cases where the US has arguably intervened in the interests of "world peace" and global good. These are arguably thinner on the ground of late. I would say the more positive examples lie around 50+ years ago, with the possible recent exception of Balkan missions e.g. Kosovo.

Do you really think the prime motivational factor for the US' adventurism since WW2 has been anything other than in its own interest, or that of its ideology? If it has and continues to claim the motive of "world peace", it has always been world peace on the USA's terms.

This argument is self defeating like tellos's unless you are just talking about the tangent or arguing for a "power corrupts..." kind of thing.

Is it in the USA's self interest to live in a world with less dictatorships? That's why I don't get arguing for "self interest". Do you mean "selfish interest"? i.e. it's bad for other people but good for us?

Listen if we can wage a 40 year moral war on drugs, you don't think morals are a big part of our foreign policy too?

Some would argue that that woman is not being raped but merely enjoying kinky sex and that the muscular guy is calling it "rape" because he's a macho who thinks kinky sex is wrong and who's also wanting to show the bystanders that he has muscles.

It doesn't matter to you anyway, because you'll burn at the stake tonight for falsely accusing me of having a cellar filled with dishwater "Heineken" (I hope you payed your 75 $ or it'll be the last time you insulted me that way ) When will you learn that "Heineken" is not beer, let alone good beer. My cellar is filled with Ciney, Leffe, Floreffe, Quintine, Kriek Boon, the finest French and Spanish wines, champagne and a delicious bottle of Spumante.

Clearly you've been brainwashed. What kind of totalitarian regime do you have in belgium? Why haven't the other European countries liberated you? I guess it'll be the US's job again

[rory_20_uk]

The USA had NO problem with dictatorships as long as they leant towards the right direction. Latin America to the Middle East through Asia dictators were feted as long as they didn't go red.

USA liberating Europe again? Do we have to wait 4 years this time too?

[al Roumi]

This argument is self defeating like tellos's unless you are just talking about the tangent or arguing for a "power corrupts..." kind of thing.

I'm not sure I see how this is a self-defeating position. I just said that the US is, despite the beliefs of some (mostly its citizens) out to help itself as best it can -not the world as a whole.

Is it in the USA's self interest to live in a world with less dictatorships?

Yes, as long as the dictators are replaced with capitalist "democracies", not (shudder) socialists. Capitalist democracies will get on much better with the US and be better markets & trading partners for the US.

That's why I don't get arguing for "self interest". Do you mean "selfish interest"? i.e. it's bad for other people but good for us?

I'll grant that it doesn't have to be against other peoples' interests, but the prime motivator for US intervention is not to make the world a better place for everyone, but primarily US citizens.

Listen if we can wage a 40 year moral war on drugs, you don't think morals are a big part of our foreign policy too?

hmm, how to do this without opening a can of worms re the morality of the war on drugs... I'll side step it and say: The "war on drugs" is most certainly mostly about the US self interest. Surely you'd agree the "morality" of the endaevor is based on a US focused consideration?

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I'm not sure I see how this is a self-defeating position. I just said that the US is, despite the beliefs of some (mostly its citizens) out to help itself as best it can -not the world as a whole.

Oh, just because we are discussing whether such intervention can do good. If it can, and the US is doing a bad job, then Europe should step up and do a good job. But shibumi et al are arguing that it is better for Europe to save their cash and let the US do it.

Yes, as long as the dictators are replaced with capitalist "democracies", not (shudder) socialists. Capitalist democracies will get on much better with the US and be better markets & trading partners for the US.

I think the sheer cost of war belies any attempt to make it "all about the [money]".

I'll grant that it doesn't have to be against other peoples' interests, but the prime motivator for US intervention is not to make the world a better place for everyone, but primarily US citizens.

Why do you think that? I think if that were true, we would be more isolationist. Indeed that seems to be Europe's idea. 3 trillion on the war or something? Or it might be 1 trillion directly spent with another 2 in costs, I don't remember.

hmm, how to do this without opening a can of worms re the morality of the war on drugs... I'll side step it and say: The "war on drugs" is most certainly mostly about the US self interest. Surely you'd agree the "morality" of the endaevor is based on a US focused consideration?

I wasn't very clear...I don't think the war on drugs is just. I meant it is moral in the sense that moral beliefs are the driving force. If you think it is about the US self interest then I'm confused about what you mean by self interest