[_lbaq]

>Meanwhile, Russia, a developing nation with a history of muscular military engagements in the region, is spending more than six percent of its much larger GDB on military.

The Russia GDP is less than 10% of the GDP of EU, or the same size as the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) countries.

Its population is shrinking rapidly due to low birth rates and very high death rates.

Its ruled by a totalitarian dictator that regularly tries to murder his opponents.

It seeks by all means to stir up unrest in its surroundings by misinformation.

Its one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

All of these are good reasons why the EU should rapidly invest in its own defense force. Putin will step-down one way or another the next 20 years and then it may get ugly, nobody knows who are waiting in the wings...

[cturner]

Loosely I agree with commenters remarking that the Cold War is over. (Though not the disrespect for the Russian capability. That is a country that still knows how to fight a war.)

But if not for Russia, why does Europe need a military? To get strategic independence from the US? In that case, where is the money? Why the howling about Trump wanting to reduce the US contribution?

And how is the command going to work?

These are rhetorical questions. I think Merkel is insincere, and playing to a domestic audience.

[iguy]

> But if not for Russia, why does Europe need a military?

I guess Turkey is the obvious other candidate. Not so many nukes, of course, but invaded a now EU member in 1974. Plays games with the edges of Greek airspace every week or so? Officially still in NATO but who knows what that means.

> I think Merkel is insincere, and playing to a domestic audience.

Yes.

[_lbaq]

>why does Europe need a military?

Why does the US need a military? Canada? Mexico?

Its a global world, EU as one of the biggest blocks needs its own military for many reasons. Its time to cut the reliance of the US, but remain very close allies.

If defense spending is done right, purchased locally by local companies, a lot of the money circles back into the economy.

[awaythrows]

> why does Europe need a military?

If you want peace, prepare for war. In 1939 we weren't prepared for war, that didn't turn out so well.