Donald Trump’s declaration at the NATO summit that the U.S. had returned to war with Iran didn’t lead to the usual gasping allies or perplexed officials.
If anything, it cemented Europe’s increasing reliance on itself.
As motorcades sped out of Ankara’s presidential place and down the barricaded streets ringing the Turkish capital on Wednesday, a half-dozen European officials said the ceasefire’s end only stiffened their resolve to be less dependent on the American militarily and stand alone.
“After seeing what’s happening in Iran and Ukraine, we first of all, have to build our own military might, and then everybody will respect us: Americans, Russians, Iranians or Chinese,” said a European official. “The more muscles you have, the less political anger you show.”
Yeah, the arms enable the size of the conflict, but it it was just tribes, sticks and stones, the conflict would’ve started. The keg not just the weapons, it was a collective mindset. The lack of cooperation in a very densely populated area and the spark were enough for a conflict. Kids wanted to join the war before they finished school. How fucked up is that?! You see this kind of conflicts whereever you look in the animal kingdom. Humans are an exception because their conflicts are often much more violent in comparison to other mamals. Should we strive for something better? Absolutely. But rolling on the back because we’re peasefull doesn’t help distributing more cooperative and peacefull mindset. I know this is a bit of bender talk. “They must learn of our peacefull ways. By force!”. Yet, I encourage everyone to be able to defend according to a realistic threat. Trans people and POC in the US should get their AR15s, the EU should get air defense, artillery, drones. That doesn’t mean I want anybody to shoot someone.