| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? 20:49 - Jan 13 with 2855 views | NthQldITFC |
...particularly in regard to Russia?
from https://www.worldometers.info/
Population [GDP]
1. US ~350m [$30t]
2. Western Europe Germany+UK+France+Spain+Italy+Netherlands ~350m [$18tn]
+ another ~70m [maybe $2t] of traditionally 'Western' European nations (i.e. non Soviet bloc)
3. Strong Western Allies - Canada, Australia, Japan, NZ + ~200m [~$10t]
4. Eastern bloc ~180m [?]
5. Russia ~140m [$2t]
6. China ~1,400m [$19t]
7. India ~1,400m [$4t]
I know GDP is a highly flawed metric of anything much, and I know debt and independent nukes aren't considered in this ^, but why, in principle, shouldn't 2. and 3. together be capable of forming an alliance strong enough to at least give 1. 5. and 6. a little more pause for thought? |  |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 10:57 - Jan 14 with 1315 views | WeWereZombies |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 10:43 - Jan 14 by Churchman |
It will take all of Ukraine eventually, just as Hitler took all of Czechoslovakia within a year of Munich. There is nothing to stop them. Ukraine is a resource-rich country and also joins up properly with Crimea and provides better access to the Black Sea.
I don’t think it’s about Donbas or any other area it’s infiltrated then spuriously claimed. It never was. It’s a juicy opportunity to take the lot. If you are Putin, why wouldn’t you? |
And you think Turkey would be happy with that ? |  |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 11:06 - Jan 14 with 1302 views | WeWereZombies |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 09:39 - Jan 14 by DJR |
The country which would seem to have the highest proportion of it population in the armed forces is the Vatican City.
It has a population of 506 and a Swiss Guard of 135.
No one messes with the Vatican City.  |
When the news came through that United States forces had killed thirty of Maduro's Cuban guard unit during the capture it did make me think of Il Papé and his Swiss Guards. It just needs the UVF to build up a network of contacts within that other three hundred and seventy Vaticanites and Leo XIV is off in chains to face trial in Belfast... | |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 11:07 - Jan 14 with 1302 views | NthQldITFC |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 04:05 - Jan 14 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Genuine question, why does everyone on here always talk about Europe and the EU as if it’s some kind of centre left united front?
Just ignoring the policies and governments of quite a few of the member states? |
I suppose it's because with a little bit more imagination and whole lot less focus on 'self', it could be, and because that's what the world so desperately needs. | |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 11:11 - Jan 14 with 1288 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 21:18 - Jan 13 by J2BLUE |
Trump knows a united Europe could stand up to the US which is why he's so anti the EU.
Labour should ask the EU if they would take us back on the terms we had (maybe without some of the grants but broadly) then have a referendum. The world has changed. Our future lies with Europe.
Voting for Brexit was a massive mistake. I deeply regret my vote.
Another thing I would like to see is another 1p on income tax to fund defence. We need to buy drones and equipment and pay the salaries of anyone who would like to join the army. I would much rather pay extra now to get a strong army to deter Russia than face war in the future. |
There is a deep, deep irony in the fact that one of the key attack lines from Farage and co in the Brexit debate was that there were plans for a European Army, and the British military would be subsumed within it, and British troops would have to take orders from French Generals.
And now, as a result of Brexit, Putin has been emboldened, major land war has returned to continental Europe, Trump has proven to be, at the very least, an unreliable ally who muses out loud in public about invading a NATO ally's overseas territory, and a European Army is now being proposed as a solution. |  | | |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 11:39 - Jan 14 with 1262 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 20:53 - Jan 13 by redrickstuhaart |
We absolutely can.
The idea that Europe is hopeless is US nonsense narrative.
I wouldnt mess with Poland, let alone the whole block. |
Europe is stronger with Czechia onside. The past year has seen an Election result that calls that into question.
The Czech arms manufacturing sector is one of the most capable in Europe.
At least the Finns and Swedes have got off the fence. We will see soon in Ukraine whether the Grippen is capable of significant impact against Russian planes and air defences. If it is that is a complete game changer for Europe as it is soccer to be able to land on normal roads, so gives flexibility should airbases come under attack.
The answer to the OP is that, on this at least, Trump was right: many European nations have free-loaded military protection from the US for years, and their militaries aren't fit for purpose.
The decision to go for an all-NATO stealth fighter, the F35, rather than European nations develop their own Stealth fighter under a model similar to the Eurofighter Typhoon could also come back to bite us all, should Trump order Lockheed Martin not to provide software updates or spare parts in the future. | | | |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 17:38 - Jan 14 with 1127 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 11:07 - Jan 14 by NthQldITFC |
I suppose it's because with a little bit more imagination and whole lot less focus on 'self', it could be, and because that's what the world so desperately needs. |
Yeah but it's not factually correct at all and it won't happen, it's right leaning in many countries and a in a few its fairly far right in terms of who is in power or collations that make up the governments. |  |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 17:47 - Jan 14 with 1119 views | NthQldITFC |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 17:38 - Jan 14 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Yeah but it's not factually correct at all and it won't happen, it's right leaning in many countries and a in a few its fairly far right in terms of who is in power or collations that make up the governments. |
Well to answer your question directly, I don't think anybody does. | |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 17:51 - Jan 14 with 1116 views | mellowblue |
The potential enemies of 2 are possibly not potential enemies of 3 and vice versa. I could see co-operation etc between 2 and 3 but not necessarily firm alliances, though there are already commowealth relationships in play which rather weakens my point. | | | |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 18:14 - Jan 14 with 1105 views | Coastalblue |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 09:39 - Jan 14 by DJR |
The country which would seem to have the highest proportion of it population in the armed forces is the Vatican City.
It has a population of 506 and a Swiss Guard of 135.
No one messes with the Vatican City. |
But how many divisions does the Pope have? |  |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 18:20 - Jan 14 with 1101 views | NthQldITFC |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 18:14 - Jan 14 by Coastalblue |
But how many divisions does the Pope have? |
Schisms, I think they call them. And they fight in reformations. | |
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| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 20:58 - Jan 14 with 1055 views | WeWereZombies |
| A very simplistic view of world blocs - why does 'Europe' feel so weak? on 18:14 - Jan 14 by Coastalblue |
But how many divisions does the Pope have? |
Says quietly to himself 'You'd be surprised.' | |
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