The report is absolutely scathing. Some choice quotes:
But when the next crisis came, both the US and the governments of Europe fell back on old models of alliance leadership. Europe, as EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell loudly lamented prior to Russia’s invasion, is not really at the table when it comes to dealing with the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It has instead embarked on a process of vassalisation.
But “alone” had a very specific meaning for Scholz. He was unwilling to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine unless the US also sent its own main battle tank, the M1 Abrams. It was not enough that other partners would send tanks or that the US might send other weapons. Like a scared child in a room full of strangers, Germany felt alone if Uncle Sam was not holding its hand.
Europeans’ lack of agency in the Russia-Ukraine crisis stems from this growing power imbalance in the Western alliance. Under the Biden administration, the US has become ever more willing to exercise this growing influence.
One has to be bonkers to think that the plain facts presented here is bonkers. Meanwhile, atlanticism is inherently premised on the idea of Europe being subjugated to US interest. The funny part is that US is clearly refocusing on China now which makes Europe far less important for US now. If republicans win the elections next year, which is likely, then Europe is going to discover the dangers of relying on US for protection very quickly.
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I live in Latinamerica and I have never seen any shit made in Europe except useless fancy shit, maybe you build some engine part or something? I wouldn’t dare to say the world is dependent on European industry, though, now China, we sure are dependent to them.
ASML
Ok, that’s true, but at the same time it’s not like it’s the only one and also it’s one thing. If we wouldn’t get couped every 5 second we could create a replacement.
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kkkkkkkk
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Estadunidense acha que ninguém conhece liquidificador. Gringo, please, leia um livro kkkkkk
Quê? Surpreso?
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Mate, you have to be a bit too gringo to think that whatever your conglomerates like Bosch produce can’t be produced without exporting all the wealth to the “Global North” as you people call it. Even Bosch itself has factories in China to supplement the stagnating production in your glorified peninsula. And no, we don’t need your posh “food processor” as if cheap and good mixers haven’t been commonplace everywhere for the last 50 years or so. Truth is “you” (as you put it) produce very little to the world, it is all extracted and produced abroad, be it in Asia, Africa or America (the continent), and then you get to claim glory because your patented circuit-printing facilities got to do the very last bit.
Then “you” (as you put it) try to shove these inferior and expensive products down the collective throat of the rest of the world. And then you proclaim to the world of slaves “how good we are, to civilise those barbarians”. Do you really believe us to be so stupid that we couldn’t replicate and improve your circuit boards and electronics without your nonsensical patent laws and foreign meddling? How many Chinas surpassing the USAurope do you need to call your exceptionalism into question? I have never seen a single Bosch appliance and European products are for the most part luxury goods or patent hogs. Oh no, how will I survive with my Asian imports and local production without the help of those smart Euros? All you people do is import, and you pretend that’s a good thing.
But please, educate me about the third world reliance on your tiny continent.
BTW, Argentina invented the ballpoint pen and Bics are produced either in Argentina or Brasil, lol.
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The interpretation is entirely correct. EU is subordinate to US in every practical way, and one has to be wilfully ignorant not to see that.
If by trade war you mean US cannibalizing Europe by luring what business is left to prop up its own failing economy then sure.
What interests has US actually caved on exactly?
Focusing means allocating resources towards Asia. Meanwhile, the fact that US does not have a coherent policy should itself be very worrisome for Europe. Having outsourced your security to an unstable and unreliable partner has put Europe into a rather precarious situation today.
It’s very clear that plenty of European states feel they need to have military parity with Russia. While the idea of a war with Russia is obviously insane, that doesn’t change the political reality of Europe. Given that Europe is in no position to match Russia militarily, it is therefore reliant on US for military strength.
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LMFAO
Hasn’t Russia been holding on to the claimed regions for almost an year now?
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From what I gathered their demands for a peace deal for a very long time are basically for recognition of the new areas, without added land claims. This would imply that their war goal was just those. Am I incorrect there? Could you provide a source, if so?
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So what you’re saying is that, despite the main demand for peace from Russia not being met for more than an year being that of accepting their annexations, they actually have some other unstated greater war goal? Am I really incorrect in saying that from the very beginning the main Russian demands were the control of the currently annexed lands and Crimea, demands which are still unmet today? Can you provide me any sources for that? Don’t see why it matters so much which side wins in the end for the sake of this argument.
Also I don’t think “beelining for Kyiv” is such a big tell, as since you are a paradox fan you know that taking a capital is usually a good move even if you don’t intend to control it.