World civilizations russia coursenotes5/21/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() The idea of a geopolitically autonomous Europe acting independently of the United States - a vision historically dear to the French - is rapidly becoming unutterable. Biden speaks of is certainly real, but in a cruel paradox, European cohesion appears achievable only by further binding itself to the mast of American power and prerogatives. Putin - has returned to the fold as a member in good standing, having supplied the Bayraktar drones that have reportedly frustrated Russia’s forces, and closed the Bosporus and the Dardanelles Straits to war ships. Turkey - for years a rogue member of NATO that bought arms from and forged tactical alliances with Mr. Washington’s perennial requests that Europeans pay their share for the security organization that defends them has been met with an unprecedented vote in Germany to increase its country’s military budget and its contribution to the alliance. Russia’s invasion has also provided the geopolitical equivalent of CPR for NATO. ![]() Back at home, Republicans and Democrats have put aside differences on climate change and voting rights for an enemy who appears to have emerged from Cold War central casting: An evil empire is again on the march in Europe. Polish nationalists and European Union bureaucrats are sudden brothers in arms. In his State of the Union address, President Biden declared that in the face of Vladimir Putin’s aggression, “we see a more unified Europe, a more unified West.” He is correct. BERLIN - Amid the point-blank horror of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the expanding war zone in Europe seems to have become a comfort zone for much of America’s political establishment. ![]()
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