A strong and united European Union that is in lock step with the United States is good for US power.
A Europe like the historical Europe of nationalist nation states competing for power, is of no use to extend US power.
That is why brother, I think Putin is making his move.
Russia attacks Ukraine, and grabs the territory. They will steam roll them.
That will send Europe into crisis, and that will send the trans-Atlantic relations into crisis.
If NATO sits around and watches it happen, then what good is NATO?
There are three Europe(s). Western Europe. Southern Europe (Club Mediterranean I just had to say that, Club Med). Central or Eastern Europe.
Germany is Western Europe. But they can change and be Central Europe.
Club Med probably does not really care, they do not want trouble, too busy at the beach anyways. Who can blame them?
Putin makes his move. This could fracture Europe, or it can fracture the trans-Atlantic relationship, or it can backfire and Europe and America renew their marriage vows (but that means the status quo is upheld). Putin also knows that if it backfires, the status quo is being upheld underlined by Jerome and his printing press machine! The best in the world!
Russia is in a no lose position at this point in the game.
That is why we do not read anything much in the press about the Russian Ukraine situation, or whatever we read gets downplayed.
The China angle here is that an alliance of like minded countries to band together to confront China, only really exists in Europe. America needs a united EU of one mind to take on China. Although I believe it does not really matter, together they can try but it unlikely will succeed. If Russia degrades western unity, then Biden is back to fighting the trade war tech war unilaterally against China such as what President Trump did. And that did not work.
It is that basketball game, the full court press. Russia, China, Iran, full court press against America around the world.
