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July 29, 2003 Americas political, economic, and military ties have, since the start of the cold war, lied with Europe. But should it continue to be that way? The cornerstone of our defense policy has been NATO. The alliance was formed to keep the Soviet Union from taking western Europe. That goal was met. The USSR is where it belongs, right on the ash heap of history. With the goal met there are other factors besides to consider cutting most ties with Europe. 1) European nations, aside from Great Britain, have no military strength. The United States has always been the foundation of the alliance the European nations have had little to contribute. 2)Many European nations oppose the United States, and therefore the alliance.Germany, France, Belgium etc are dead set at opposing the U.S. this is no way for an alliance to run. A house divided agaisnt itself can not stand. 3)The alliance grows larger but not stronger. No offense to east Europe but adding them to the alliance doesn't strengthen it. Most of these new nations have nothing to contribute to European and American ties. There is another major factor to consider.The alliance worked because of the close ties between Europe and America, we had a great deal in common. Those days are over. The Europe that produced some of civilizations finest achievements is gone. In its place we have an agind society more concerned about cradle to grace welfare than they are about surviving themselves. Europes birthrate is so low that their population is declining, they aren't even remaing steady. Europe is now essentially a retirement home that takes up a whole continent with fancy art and famous buildings. The United States and Europe started to take different paths long ago, now there is a gulf that seperates us. The official religion of Europe is secuarlism,often a rather militant type. Any Judeo Christian background Europe had has been gleefully cast aside in favor of the religions of humanism and socialism. The United States is a nation with a younger population and a higher tolerance for taking risks. Europeans are essentially obsessed with maintaining the staus quo. European reformers are stopped dead in their tracks when they try to tackle Europes welfare system, its high taxes, and its suffocating regulations on business. Recently Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany tried to loosen the laws against firing an employee, you would have thought that he had just said that he was sending troops to Iraq. Europe, in short, is stagnant. So now what? It is time to leave Europe, save Great Britain behind. There are many nations that are emerging as powers. India is the best example and the one nations that shows potential for an alliance. India has been a stable democracy since winning independence. It is a nuclear power. Its economy is growing by leaps and bounds. India, barring catostrophic events, will be a world power, it is already a regional one and should be treated as such. An alliance with emerging powers like India is beneficial in many ways. India now has the largest population on Earth. We won't be allying ourselves to a continent of geriatrics. India has a powerful military and won't become reliant on American soldiers for defense.( An alliance should be between equals.)Indias booming economy, yes its booming despite poverty still in the country, means that it is growing and not sitting still like Europe. It could also lead to increased trade with the subconitinet which would benefit both parties. That's just India. In short Asia, particuarly south and southeast Asia is whats growing its the area with the greates long term potential. Europe hasn't moved an inch. Having a strong presence in that region would be beneficial to the United States.Being there strong and being there first would give us an advantage when the region emerges as a powerful one. Now some would say that we need to maintain our ties with Europe. Fine, let;s give Europe a chance. If we want Europe to be a partner on an alliance they must fend for themselves. The best way to accomplish this is to withdraw our troops. For example, Germany would have to increas military spending if we took our 70,000 troops and sent them elsewhere. Secondly we tell the Europeans that either they start contributing or its over. Europe is safe because we provide an umbrella of safety. Why protect a continent that refuses to contribute and often complains about us being there in the first place? As the world changes so should our relationships. Europes ideas about fighting terrorism are the same as the Vichy Frenchs ideas about fighting Nazis. America must reassess its geopolitical strategy. If Europe no longer serves our needs then why maintain the ties? Do we want to be tied to the past like a man with a millstone about his neck? Or do we continue making decisions that leave us a global superpower? The choice is ours. ------------ Email Craig Chamberlain: craig_chamberlain@hotmail.com Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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