Posted on 04/21/2011 7:03:35 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
The Libya crisis....shows more clearly than ever how most E.U. countries are unwilling to match their defense ambitions with any broad strategic goals. ....
At first, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, balked at giving NATO that role, hoping that France could take the lead. But eventually he had to realize that Europe was not going to become a defense player in its own right with France at the helm.
“Libya confirmed France’s worst beliefs,” said Clara Marina O’Donnell, a defense expert at the Center for European Reform, a research organization in London. “It could not rely on its E.U. partners.”
It was a blow to France’s ambitions. “France’s goal of leading Europe in defense matters is receding,” said Bastien Irondelle, security expert at Sciences Po, the Center for International Studies and Research in Paris. “For his military aims, Sarkozy will now have to go outside the E.U. That means coalitions of the willing.” ....
With prodding from London and Paris, the Union managed in 2003 to agree on a European security strategy designed to foster a global strategic culture among European countries. The reactions by the Union to the changes sweeping across the Middle East showed how the Union was out of its depth.
The Union’s shortfalls in defense, including expenditure and military capabilities, persuaded Britain and France to forge last year a far-reaching agreement in defense cooperation. It included sharing aircraft carriers and collaborative research for both countries’ nuclear deterrent systems.
“The Anglo-French accord confirmed the frustration in London and Paris over E.U. defense efforts,” Ms. O’Donnell said. She added that European defense could become even weaker as long as these two countries continue to cooperate so closely.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Who would have ever thought that the EU would turn out to have a feckless military......
Of course, now the EU will hesitate to start any new wars, and expect US to clean up their messes, as always.
450 million population in the EU and they cannot deploy 60,000 troops within 60 days? The EU is not serious about its own defense. More reason for the US to put them on notice that if we remain in NATO we will only do so in a support role in Europe’s defense should Russia decide to return to its old ways. We will no longer be at the tip of the spear. Spend your own money and spill your own blood.
Who would have ever thought that the EU would turn out to have a feckless military......”
Yeah, especially considering that it is so “diverse” and all...
The Muslim Brotherhood would be terrified of all those girls and poofters.
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