this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2026
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[–] ALF839@piefed.social 41 points 1 day ago (3 children)

IF the US survives Trump (we'll see if he allows the midterms to happen) we still cannot allow another chance to be betrayed by a close ally. The MAGA cult will not evaporate even with a democrat president. Europe needs to focus on two main issues, energy and tech independence. At the same time we should try to eradicate the American military presence in Europe and bolster our own armies. An United Europe is impenatrable, both economically and militarily.

[–] Tehbaz@lemmy.wtf 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

There needs to be a mass-deprogramming & reeducation campaign for MAGA cult members after this regime is gone. They need to understand the damage that Trump and the GOP has done was only possible because they blindly supported a pedophile demagogue.

All of the collaborators who facilitated the excesses of the regime must be put on trial, that includes Congress, Supreme Court, cabinet members, corporate media and billionaire donors. If they are not prosecuted they will take control again.

[–] fierysparrow89@lemmy.world 1 points 13 hours ago

Eye for an eye is very biblical and perhaps the root cause of the regime's brutality. So no. Better off focusing on the root cause of the societal decay of the last decades. Laws that are set up for oligarchs to circumvent and masses to be keep under control with debt and barriers to organize themselves.

[–] plyth@feddit.org -2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

The United American States is what gave us the US. Trump is already promising something like an impenatrable America, both economically and militarily.

The danger lies in giving in to that thought, for multiple reasons.

First of, the combined rest of the world is stronger, economically and militarily, if not the US or China alone. Investing so much in weapons that the EU is impenatrable will bancrupt the EU like it bancrupted the USSR.

Secondly, trying to be the dominating power will destroy our ability to win all the small countries as partners. Only seeking cooperation with the rest of the world will bring security.

Thirdly, it's essentially a fascist mindset and will destroy the EU from within.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

china is more of a regional power, they dont have enough to project far, and likely wont in the near future, just locally. They have internal problems of thier own as well, which is immediate.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 10 hours ago

China can destroy us economically.

[–] Melchior@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Becoming impenetrable is defensive and not offensive. It is also needed, if you do not want to be bullied by the US or China. If you can be, then why would smaller countries want the EU as a partner.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The sum of all small countries is bigger than the US or China. Small countries want as much independence as the EU. That's a goal that can be achieved together.

How could the EU become impenetrable? That's an impossible goal. The US tries, with their golden dome. But in this world, security lies in MAD, mutual assured destruction.

[–] Melchior@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How could the EU become impenetrable? That’s an impossible goal. The US tries, with their golden dome. But in this world, security lies in MAD, mutual assured destruction.

MAD is how you do it in a practical way and the EU lacks that ability besides France. It is certainly not assured enough to be a proper deterrent. Other then that a conventional force is needed to be able to deal with lower level threats. For that a bunch of military systems need to be set up, which do not use US tech(AWACS, anti submarine planes, spy satellites, communication satellites and a bunch more).

The sum of all small countries is bigger than the US or China. Small countries want as much independence as the EU. That’s a goal that can be achieved together.

If the US or China can bully an ally you rely on into giving you up, then you are not properly independent.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

which do not use US tech

The US MIC was possible because other countries have kept US dollars which allowed the US to spend them twice, once to import products and once to pay engineers to develop military technology.

The EU can't use their engineers to create cars and AWACS. Things would have to change massively to compete and develop everything twice, like North Korean levels of modesty in compensation for workers.

If the US or China can bully an ally you rely

Like Lemmy, don't rely on a single country, and support the bullied. Of course, if the EU keeps silent, like with Venezuela, Kuba or Iran, countries will have to give in to the threats and actions.

[–] Melchior@feddit.org 2 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

The EU can’t use their engineers to create cars and AWACS. Things would have to change massively to compete and develop everything twice, like North Korean levels of modesty in compensation for workers.

Yes it can. There already is Swedens GlobalEye and if you not spend the money on American systems, you can built a decent European alternative. Something similar holds true for all sort of other weapon systems.

Of course, if the EU keeps silent, like with Venezuela, Kuba or Iran, countries will have to give in to the threats and actions.

There are 25,000 Cubans fighting for Russia against Ukraine. Iran is also openly supporting Russia in the war having send soldiers to Crimea and selling a lot of weapons to Russia. The response pro Venezuela should have been stronger, but they are also friends of Russia.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 1 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago)

Yes it can. There already is Swedens GlobalEye

True for AWACS but that's not what I meant. The existance of one European weapon system doesn't proof that the resources exist for all systems. Germany builds their own tanks. Neither Sweden nor Germany can build all systems. Europe as a hole can, but that means other civilian projects can't be built. And since the EU and the US stop cooperating, the US will also have to develop less.

if you not spend the money on American systems, you can built a decent European alternative

Sweden built the Gripen with an American engine. We can't double all military processes in the west without repercussions.

they are also friends of Russia.

The more it would mean if we speak out against it. If we remain silent about an injustice because it is to our advantage then we can't complain when the US end up bullying us to their advantage.

The irony is that Cubans have to work as mercenaries to make money because we allowed the US to claim Cuba for decades like Russia claims Ukraine.

[–] krashmo@lemmy.world -2 points 1 day ago

That last sentence could be true, but if the US can't keep national cohesion together the EU probably can't either. One of our big problems is cultural diversity providing avenues for division to take root. The US is infinitely more homogeneous than the EU. I don't think Europeans are prepared to act like a unified society outside of a few common interests. I still think they should try, but I also think that means something vastly different to citizens in the different nations of the EU.