[Olog-hai]

You don’t want that to happen. The last thing the EU needs to become is a so-called “third power”.

If Obama wants the EU (not “Euorpe”) spearheading any such pushback against Putin (the USA is the chief target of his ire, remember), why should we want it?

[catfish1957]

I don't know if keeping Putin in check, would constitute making a the EU a "3rd power". I think they already have the military resouces in hand to pull that off already.

IF you are alluding that the need would need to significantly "militarize" Eurpoe, then I agree. But I don't think that is the case.

[catfish1957]

Let me add, that through my 50 or so years of watching geopolitical events, I seem to be trending toward an isolationist slant than in the past. Reason? Being $17T in debt for one. Our days of subsidizing the policing of the world should be waning. And if this means gradually growing the military power of Japan, and Europe, then so be it.