But events in the world and in Europe itself may be causing Europe to reconsider this retreat.
Victor Hanson notes that Europe may be restarting history:
So is Europe now finally at the front or will they retreat Madrid-like in the face of the inevitable second round of terrorist bombings and threats to come?
Americans are not confident, but we should remember at least one simple fact: Europe is the embryo of the entire Western military tradition. The new European Union encompasses a population greater than the United States and spans a continent larger than our own territory. It has a greater gross domestic product than that of America and could, in theory, field military forces as disciplined and as well equipped as our own.
It is not the capability but the will power of the Europeans that has been missing in this war so far. But while pundits argue over whether the European demographic crisis, lack of faith, stalled economy, or multiculturalism are at the root of the continent’s impotence, we should never forget that if aroused and pushed, a rearmed and powerful Europe could still be at the side of the United States in joint efforts against the jihadists. And should we ever see a true alliance of such Western powers, the war against the fascists of the Middle East would be simply over in short order.
I have never counted Europe out. Indeed, while I hope they will become a useful ally on our side, I don't actually rule out that a rising Europe could one day be a threat to our freedom has it was for most of our history:
I don't think that the long bloody history of Europe has been put safely into the past. Democracy is a thin veneer over a deep current of tyranny, war, and a killer instinct. The European Union, I fear, is the start of a new dictatorship that will create a potential enemy in fifty years.
Europe is very much from Mars, as I've noted. We need to make sure that a Europe that rediscovers its talent for violence fights our common enemies. Don't under-estimate them just because they are on an extended August holiday from reality.
Remember the threats we've faced down from Europe since before our independence to today: France, Britain, Spain, Germany (twice), and the Soviet Union.
