“Only this time, Western Europe may be neutralized.”
It has been US policy since 1945 to provide for the defense of Western Europe, allowing the EU states to prosper economically without having to pay for the armed forces, nuclear umbrella, that protect them. Same with the Japanese, South Koreans, and Taiwanese vs China and Russia.
The problem is we hollowed out our economy in the 1990’s and early 2000’s by outsourcing our industrial infrastructure while expanding social services and admitting millions of unskilled third world immigrants into the country who are net consumers of those services. Hence we can no longer afford to fund and provide for the defense of nations around the planet. The Europeans, after 70 years of comfortable living, without the obligation of defending themselves, no longer have the will to sacrifice. In contrast it appears the Japanese are prepared to rearm, and provide for their own defense, once we finish releasing the leash we put on them after WWII. Regardless it is clear our hallowed out armed forces cannot fight a two front war and the industrial infrastructure does not exist at home to sustain a multi year non nuclear war in Europe against Russia while simultaneously fighting the Chinese in Asia and maintaining forces in the Middle East to protect the energy supply for Europe.
Consider that if Europe and the US engaged in a conventional war with Russia, the Russians would stop supplying Europe with energy. Russia would support Shia Iran sweeping across the Sunni Arab states to cut off Europe’s other source of energy. Will the comfortable 21st century Euopean citizens take endure years of freezing winters, starvation, and bloodshed or will they quickly surrender without the US umbilical cord. Will a US president use what remains of our aging nuclear capability knowing the official numbers say we are evenly matched in number of weapons but the Russians certainly have far more weapons than they report and China has an unknown quantity on top of that. Take out the US carrier groups with subs and cruise missiles, destroy the remaining operational military air bases in Europe and the Middle East, and the US ground forces are trapped in North America. Replacing the carrier fleet, if we could afford it, would take over a decade given our current manufacturing situation. Checkmate.
The next president will likely have no choice but to leave Europe to stand or fall to the Russians or the Islamists. Economically we are way overextended and the consequences the $20 trillion national debt from decades of government deficits, plus nearly a decade of irresponsible money printing by the Federal Reseve, are going to be felt. History has shown that debtor nations ultimately fall to vibrant countries with sound money policies or the barbaric hordes. We gave our industry to China for pennies on the dollar and we’ve been on a spending binge since. Actions have consequences.
“Actions have consequences.”
Yes, and wars have consequences. One of the consequences of China embarking upon a hot war with the United States is the Federal Government’s seizure of all enemy Properties and financial assets to be held and managed by a government appointed trustee/s. Such assets seized from the enemy are used to settle any war debts arising from war damages. This incudes any and all U.S. Government Treasury notes and bonds.