EUROPE BALLAST

And while America folds the umbrella of military protection over Europe's head, a spontaneous doubt begins to arise among the member states: "And so, gentlemen, what do we do? Shall we rearm?"

Let's see if I understand correctly, or perhaps bluffs and political subterfuge will once again leave me in inner conflict.

In this intricate web of events, we have a Europe that perhaps realizes it is no longer the glittering damsel to be protected—with all its good intentions of democracy and international rights now called into question by excessive public debt and an even more excessive disagreement over ideas—which the United States has begun to perceive as a dead weight tied to its ankle. But how did we get to this point? How did we come to observe, almost betrayed and incredulous, a Europe abandoned to itself?

It is partly disappointing—though plausible—that this rearmament would take place sooner or later, but certainly not with the prospect of incurring more debt, and thus indebting citizens further, as if our situation were not already of dubious credibility.

Another prospect we certainly would have preferred to avoid is that of arming Europe with a war on the border of a superpower, just as it would have been wise not to expand the dimensions of such a conflict without an effective resolution plan. In short, with ifs and buts, you do not win wars.

The truth is that Europe has begun to stagnate. Its potential is no longer so attractive to an America that has always sought a broader sphere of influence and now finds itself confronting reality—namely, that the small can be exploited but is not fruitful. And when something is not useful, it becomes ballast. Even though we know, dear America, that it will be very difficult for you to give up your old habits.

Europe, on the other hand, will hardly cease to be an economic center of gravity, considering its geopolitical density. But right now, we find ourselves immersed in a delicate—and, I dare say, exciting—historical period. With the United States gradually losing its unipolar dominance, it is more than understandable that the Beautiful Continent could not continue to benefit from the defensive advantages of the Atlantic Pact, still led by America, for much longer. The time has come to fend for ourselves.

Logically, it makes sense to rearm, considering the world we live in. But let’s face it, Ursula: more than to avoid losing against Russia, it is to avoid losing face in Europe that we need this project to move forward. But the question arises: why, despite the tragic and copiously documented consequences of war, do we still feel the need to recognize the sovereignty of a state only through the terror inspired by bullets and rockets?

When will we finally adopt the political belief that respect derives from power rightly exercised, not from fear?

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But even if we believe that the only thing that could save us from the cruelty of the very despicable Mr. Putin—who apparently has a diabolical plan to invade the entire world regardless of the consequences—is a miserable rearmament borne on the shoulders and skin of the citizens, is it truly possible that Europe could defeat him without the United States rushing to our aid? Even if European rearmament is literally bypassing the Atlantic Pact, which—until proven otherwise—is still in place?

In the name of Ukrainian freedom—freedom from being geographically, historically, and economically tied to Russia—Europe is ready, is making itself ready, will be ready, will try, will organize. It will need time, perhaps resources, perhaps a plan, perhaps real money that is not just debt. It will unite to stand strong on every front, against as many as 1,500 nuclear warheads ready for use.

You know, it would be nice to wake up one morning, have a coffee, turn on the news, and hear a slightly tired and almost annoyed journalist announce that, for the umpteenth hour, the political conclave has not yet reached a decisive verdict. And that, despite the hours, the heads of state will be forced to stay in that room until the problem is solved—so that I can sip that coffee, enjoy that morning, with the comforting thought that no one in the world will suddenly have to prepare a survival backpack and wonder whether it will ever be needed.

But mine are only opinions.

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EUROPE BALLAST - L'IDIOT DIGITAL