[Junrlaeh]

Europe might have been too small to defend itself alone against the USSR, but the cold war is over and now the dangerous are difficult to define. Russia is politically integrated in both NATO (as observers) and in Straßbourg. Economic relations between Russia and Europe is closer than ever before.

For this reason, I open up the debate, why cant Europe do more for its own defence. Why cant France take over Americas role as leader in a european led NATO.

This is not some utopian dream. Only the French consider themselfes as a great european power. This self confidence America should encourage. In the breast of every french citizen is a potential General De Gaulle. France has been difficult at times, but there really a great friend of American and we should support a french effort to replace america as a regional power.

What's all this about regional powers? Local governments worry about their own internal affairs. Territorial, provincial, and state governments worry about their own internal affairs. Why is it so difficult for nations to understand the same concept? Let each nation deal with its own internal affairs, and if any kind of regional power is needed, then let a supranational power like the EU or the UN deal with it. And of course the EU should deal only with its internal affairs too. When's the age of imperialism going to end? We don't need France, the US, China or any other nation sticking its nose outside its jurisdiction.