I know this is a bold thesis. It is meant to provoke thought and encourage debate. Here are some of the considerations that led me to it:

  • Europe depends on US military protection, and the US uses this “alliance” as leverage -> NATO gives Washington structural influence over European security choices.

  • US tech firms dominate Europe’s cloud and software stack, creating digital dependency. Also, European data often sits under infrastructure exposed to US legal and corporate power.

  • Russian energy dependence was a problem for Europe when the Ukraine war started. The US were quite eager when it came to “help” by replacing the Russian energy dependence with American energy dependence.

  • US sanctions policy often forces Europe to absorb costs for Washington’s geopolitical priorities.

  • American platforms shape European speech, commerce, administration, and most importantly: public debate.

  • “Strategic autonomy” exists as a slogan because dependency is already the default.

  • Zwuzelmaus@feddit.orgEnglish
    64·
    8 days ago

    petulant toddlers

    Nah that just the orange clown and some of his figurines around him.

    But there are others too! Seriously dark and strong ones in the background.

    • FistingEnthusiast@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      8 days ago

      Sure

      Everyone knows that the real power is in the background

      But the average 'Murican isn’t an edgy teen, they’re an idiot toddler finger-painting with their own shit

      It’s going to get worse when the edgy-teen phase kicks in because the destruction won’t be wanton, it’ll be wilful

      • huppakee@piefed.socialEnglish
        12·
        8 days ago

        the orange clown was elected TWICE by the American people.

        The system made him the winner, but i believe he lost popular vote both times and also a huge portion of the nation didn’t vote at all. Sure that also says something about the people of the nation but i think it is fair to to distinguish between a ‘a regime and the people and companies that support that’ vs ‘a national entity including all it’s people and history’.

        • zeroConnection@programming.devEnglish
          4·
          8 days ago

          So what???

          If those people thought a petulant toddler was their best leader to lead, TWICE, just what does it make those people?

          Do you think smart people would have elected him twice?

          • Zwuzelmaus@feddit.orgEnglish
            3·
            8 days ago

            just what does it make those people?

            I don’t know. I’m not trying anymore to understand them.