Why Europe No Longer Matters
While it’s undeniable that Europe formed the foundation of Western civilization over the past 500 years and spearheaded the Industrial Revolution and scientific progress, it also left behind a bloody colonial legacy that has caused untold human suffering worldwide. Europe, along with the United States, has dominated the world financially for the past three centuries. But the sun is setting on Europe. It is no longer relevant in the new financial and political order emerging in the Global South, with China and Russia playing a crucial role in the creation of this new world.
Europe was once a military powerhouse, but now it’s largely powerless… Yes, the leading European countries, namely Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, still have some military might, but they have lost their status as major industrial powers. Europe largely lacks crucial natural resources and is dependent on foreign supplies of oil and gas, writes Larry Johnson .
Europe, particularly the European Union (EU-27 plus associated countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland in trade figures), is a major global grain producer but relies on imports to offset shortfalls in domestic production, particularly for feed grains such as maize and specific staples like rice. The EU grain sector is generally resilient, with a net export surplus in the broader agri-food trade (€70.1 billion in 2023), but imports play a key role in stabilizing supply during periods of volatile weather conditions, high demand for animal feed, and geopolitical shocks (for example, Russia’s war in Ukraine disrupting exports from the Black Sea region). Dependency varies by grain type: the EU is a net exporter of wheat and barley, but a net importer of maize and rice. In short, Europe is moderately dependent (10-15% overall), acting as a net exporter, but vulnerable to maize/feed grain shortages and external shocks.
In terms of military power, Europe is a powerless paper tiger. The three major European powers in NATO—the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—can only mobilize a combined total of 506,000 active troops. Adding Turkey, which is not politically part of Europe but has the second-largest army in NATO with 355,000 active troops, brings the total to 861,000. Now consider the irony of the Europeans demanding that Russia allow Ukraine to have an army of 800,000 troops. While Ukraine is not a de jure member of NATO, it has been a de facto member since 1997. If Russia were to agree to the European demand—and Moscow will not—Ukraine would have the second-largest military force in NATO, larger than Turkey and second only to the United States.
Several factors relegate Europe to the category of “irrelevant”: stagnant, deindustrialized economies; fragmented governments burdened by severe financial debt; political balkanization, with governments in major countries led by minority parties lacking popular support; and the decline of Christianity in many major countries. Consider the transformation taking place in the United Kingdom… In 1950, approximately 85-90% of the British population was considered Christian, based on the best available historical data and church affiliation statistics at the time. However, according to the most recent comprehensive data from the 2021 censuses (England & Wales, Northern Ireland) and the 2022 Scottish census, approximately 46% of the British population will identify as Christian in 2025, as there will be no major UK-wide census in 2025. This figure reflects a continued decline from 59.5% in 2011, due to increasing secularism (non-religious population now stands at ~38%) and diversity resulting from immigration. So much for fighting for God and country.
Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine has exposed Europe’s powerlessness. While many European states still have the capacity to wreak havoc, they find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to beg Trump for a place at the negotiating table and a sort of veto power over any agreement deemed too favorable to Russia. So far, Trump has said “no,” which has enraged many NATO leaders, but what can they do but sulk like angry teenagers?
Europe is a declining industrial, financial, cultural, and military power. I think the main reason France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are so afraid of Ukraine’s impending defeat by Russia is that it will force them to accept their insignificance. The most ludicrous claim of the European belligerents is that Russia wants to conquer and occupy Europe… Why? Europe no longer has anything Russia needs or wants.
https://www.frontnieuws.com/waarom-europa-er-niet-meer-toe-doet