>>Europe has shown in the past that it is more than capable to create a military that able to defend itself. I don't think that is going to be a problem. We will not be depended on US military power.
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>Can you provide examples of when Europe protected itself against a real threat (and not a small regional conflict) and defended itself without the assistance of the U.S. please?
Has such event ever occurred?? The past however has shown that within europe, massive armies could be mobilised to create terror within and beyond the continent (WWI, WWII). Give me one reason why a united Europe with more citizens than the US could not create a power that is able to defend itself. It is not a matter of engineering technology, money, manpower, economy or geographical location. We all have that. What we lack currently is the NEED to have such military power.
>If that is the case, then why is Europe participating in the missile defense shield? I agree that a strong EU military power would be an achievement and mostly positive for the world. However, a
comparable military power independent of the U.S. is questionable. I would prefer it were a force of the WEST and democratic countries. The question becomes when can any one country act unilaterally?
I think you're underestimating the diversity and power of all the EU countries combined. If the need is there to create a military power then it is just the matter of doing it. If you look at the history you know exactly what I mean. The US currently is our ally and the US has interests in europe beyond just beeing our friends. It has bases all arround the world to protect its empire. However if that empire falls appart those bases will likely dissapear. The following empire will exactly do as other empire have done before. Creating outposts to defent it. The reasons for participation (BTW, the will to participation is not all that strong in all countries) might be different. Esspecially for the eastern countries it might be strategic, but also economical.
I'll read the articles later.
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>This is rather old, but has the view changed?
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http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/06/news/germany.php>
>These are more recent (one is a blog entry with links to the sources):
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http://europa.eu/pol/cfsp/overview_en.htm>
http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencenews/militaryoperations/firstmajoreumilitarymissionisbritishledsuccess.htm>
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/sep2007/sark-s03.shtml>
http://skunks.wordpress.com/2008/01/06/german-proposes-a-european-army/>
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1560631.ece>
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/march2007/280307army.htm>
http://lexnet.bravepages.com/Eurocorp.htm>
>Someone who appears to share your views:
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http://www.antiwar.com/orig/clarkn.php?articleid=12361
