[hermanzegerman]

Hundreds of billions in support, massively increased defense spending, and hefty sanctions are obviously nothing..

Also much more people have been to Italy,or at least know the country and it's culture compared to Ukraine. So the Fallout in Public Opinion would be way worse. China would also be salivating at an Opportunity to isolate the US, and that would be one presented on a silver platter

[sejje]

If America decided to wipe Italy off the map, you would be happy for the UK to send some money? That would be enough?

I don't think you can impose enough diplomatic sanctions on America to make us care, and certainly not enough to make up for deleting Italy.

[hermanzegerman]

If you would be sanctioned into oblivion like North Korea, you would probably care at some point.

Attacking one of the world largest Western economies, would turn the other ones against you

[sejje]

Yeah, I would care, but like I said, don't think the Western countries can accomplish that.

I'm just talking about reality. America can do pretty close to whatever it wants.

[trinix912]

China doesn't like them, Russia doesn't like them, the EU would immediately pass sanctions as it is its own territory, who else is really left? Canada and Mexico?

[hermanzegerman]

Well the Canadians certainly didn't forgot all those threats about becoming the 51st State.

[sejje]

Countries would be scrambling to team with the USA IMO. You see the same happen for obvious "bad actors" now.

There's more than four non-European countries in the world, Christ.

Also, I think America can make it on its own, no help. And still be a powerhouse. You don't have to agree.

[trinix912]

> Countries would be scrambling to team with the USA IMO. You see the same happen for obvious "bad actors" now.

I honestly don't see that happening. Yes, there are Hungary and Poland, but if Italy - currently a US ally - got wiped off the map for some lame reason, why would or should anyone trust their alliance with the US?

Non-EU European countries also have mixed feelings about the US (and the West in general). See Serbia for example.

> Also, I think America can make it on its own, no help. And still be a powerhouse. You don't have to agree.

Yes, I'll disagree. We once had the whole making-it-on-our-own story in many countries in Eastern Europe. There were numerous shortages of even the most basic household items like fabric softeners and coffee. Many of those countries even had some trade between each other (Comecon) but it wasn't enough and that was 50+ years ago when we weren't dependent on China for electronics and every other piece of plastic out there.

The world is now more globalized and codependent than ever. You don't have to agree with me either.

[hermanzegerman]

They would scramble if the US would be trustworthy Allies. The Problem is, that under Trump they act irrational, and unpredictable.

Also no Nation can't make it on their own in 2026 without massive losses in Quality of Life

[stoneforger]

Public opinion is dead, what matters is policy makers opinion on controlling financial interests in the West, and what the CCP politbureau thinks. One is a mongrel divisive semi-hereditary plutocracy, the other is a reimagined empire that clearly has a long game going. I don't think anyone cares for the public at large, at least to the extent the public doesn't get any wild ideas like having an opinion and expressing it with a pitchfork.