With former German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen assuming the presidency of the European Commission, the European Union now has a new executive. Von der Leyen has promised to lead a “geopolitical” Commission, believing that Europe needs to be more assertive in its relations with other countries, and more hard-nosed in pursuing its own interests around the world, particularly vis-à-vis the other large powers.
Because the EU lacks an army or a central secret service, it must use economic policies to achieve its geopolitical aims. But the way Europe’s policy toolkit works in practice suggests that it is not well suited for exercising power abroad.
Sure, von der Leyen's goal is unreachable now. The EU is no superpower.
But give them time and lack of scrutiny and the EU will get that army and central secret service.
And really, a fully sovereign EU only wants an army and secret police good enough to wage war against their own people if they don't fall in line:
Sure, the EU military won't be anywhere close to the effectiveness of the American-led NATO (But a Europe without America is far more likely to be from being pushed out by the EU than by America pulling out. Good grief, Europe should react to that threat not by preparing for the day when America will pull out but by reining in the EU that is trying to push America out!), but if there is no military threat to Europe as Macron claims, who cares? Right?
And if there is and you have to break a few NATO Baltic state eggs, crushed by Moscow to restore them to the Russian empire, to make that lovely Brussels Omelet, who cares?
Ultimately, the EU thinks it only really needs an army with the capabilities of the typical Third World state that has a military that is nothing more than a glorified riot police force capable of defeating its own people (bloody peasants, get in line!), and little more.
Remember, America stands in their way. The EU is no friend of America and Europeans who value freedom and security should support America.
