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Question: Should Europe be developing a stronger military?

We're The Great Old Ones Now

11:25 / 15.09.02

Currently, the UN is significantly dependent on the US for military force. European defense budgets are low by comparison with the US. This means that many UN missions are contingent on US support - a bargaining weakness for the UN.

So, in order to challenge the hold the US presently has on the UN, does Europe need to be putting more money into arms?

Seth

13:08 / 15.09.02

Tough question indeed. I remember the paranoid American reaction to the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force - they'd definitely see it as a threat to their influence. I'm teetering on the knife edge of saying that a stronger military would be a wise idea, largely because I think a UN that is able to take action in defiance of US interests has to be a good thing... but the words kinda feel wrong in my mouth.

We're The Great Old Ones Now

13:44 / 15.09.02

Not so much US opposition - that's a can of worms - but in the face of indifference or an understandable unwillingness to be at the pointy end of police actions everywhere.

nutella23

15:39 / 15.09.02

I'm curious what the EU position is on the neccessity of maintaining NATO at this point. I would imagine many there regard it as not only redundant, but also as a way for the US to maintain a major foothold there. Is there to be a united EU military in the future?

Tryphena Absent

22:53 / 15.09.02

The UK would be an especially interesting example of a country torn between two powers should a European military be built up. While being part of the EU we have an awful lot of US military paraphenalia (sp?) in this country including the Allied Pacific HQ. We provide the base for the American military in Europe. How would it effect us?

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