Nova Europa: Europe's Second Renaissance (2)

At the beginning of the 20th century, the great European powers were still the masters of the globe. The great British Empire was at the height of its extension and influence. It was only rivaled by the second French Colonial Empire, which included vast domains in Africa and Asia as well as minor possessions in the Americas and the Pacific ocean. New empires, such as the German, the Italian and the Belgian empires were conquering the last unconquered African territories. Even the old imperial powers of the early stages of European expansion such as Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands still held considerable lands around the globe and continued to have influence in the global affairs. Only the advent of the first and later second world wars would change this.

In 1945, by the end of World War 2 all of the European colonial empires had either fallen or were about to fall. At the beginning of the 21st century, Europe had only memories of shattered empires lost to history and eternity. It's power and influence were also gone, and they still are.

In 2015, only five European nations can be considered significant players in the world affairs. Out of these five (Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the United Kingdom) only France and the UK actually have reasonably powerful armed forces, and only Germany has a world-class economy. Still, even the  combined might of the British and the French armed forces pales in comparison to the American armed forces, and even Europe's biggest economy, Germany, is only a fraction of the size of the American and Chinese economies.

The sad truth is that Europe is not what it used to be, or worse, it doesn't even count anymore. Its economies are too small and its armies are even smaller. Even though the UK and France are members of the UN Security Council, their membership can only be justified at this point by historical reasons. The United States was the true reason why Russia didn't colonize most of the continent in the latter half of the twentieth century and the United States, through NATO, still controls the fate of Europe to this day. European nations, once proud and mighty, cannot truly guarantee their own safety anymore without the support of the USA. This state of affairs is not only humiliating for Europeans, it should also be a matter of much greater concern than it currently seems to be.

Spoiled by decades of peace, Europeans, especially western and northern Europeans, have forgotten the reality of war. At this point, Europe is heavily reliant on the good will of the United States. Should the American giant decide that it is not in its best interests to protect Europe anymore, Europeans could be forced to realize its own vulnerability. Because of geographical reasons western and northern Europeans have enjoyed the tranquility of peace assured by the protection of the United States. However, Eastern Europeans have been forced to accept Soviet rule, either direct or indirect, becoming thus more aware of their own fragility. Even these lessons, however, are starting to fade with time, except in Ukraine who is not being manhandled by the Russians as the rest of the continent watches impotently. An astute observer from Western, Northern or Central Europe should promptly realize that their safety is an illusion. The tiny European nation-states are no match for Russia in an armed contest, and as Russia continues to become stronger and more confident, it will probably become increasingly more aggressive.

Only a united Europe can restore the might of the continent, stand up to the eastern giants and reclaim its influence in the world. Europe needs an European army capable of matching those of the United States and Russia. Only then can Europe ensure its safety, its borders, its independence, its pride and its influence. An European army shouldn't be used to attack other peoples, but is essential to ensure that the people of Europe is safe and is capable of projecting its influence unto the world in a way that is beneficial to both Europeans and non-Europeans.

Furthermore, the constitution of pan-European Armed Forces, under the control of the EU, is a necessary step towards the creation of an European super-state. This would be a true union of the European peoples, supported by institutions, officials and armed forces capable of returning Europe to a position of leadership in the world. The existence of an European army would truly turn the European Union into a world power, capable not only of assuring the integrity of its territory and the safety of its citizens, but also of deciding the course of world events in the way that the United States, Russia and China are currently able to do. A common European army also means a common European foreign policy, an ideal that has so far proved elusive. It is, nevertheless, an essential ingredient in the construction of a Europe that is strong both internally and externally.