Of course it’s a distraction “panem et circenses” for the people! It’s so close to old Rome you might throw in a Roman salute here and there.

My Guy, you really don’t have any idea.

I think you vastly overestimate the imporance of the US. And yes recently, with Trump the US is turning in on itself to become more like Russia. It breaks with allies, alienates trading partners and isolates and inpoverishes its own population. Its position as a hegemon is crumbling to dust rapidly.

Yeah yeah, US exceptionalism much? You would be surprised how little Europe depends on the US, but as you imply, it’s become an abusive relationship that Europe needs to get out. Russia is no alternative for the US. The reason Europe needs to sever ties with the US is that it has become too much like Russia. China? Yes Europe does a lot of business with China already, that is not about to change.

Certainly, it would be more limited in capability on paper, but now they have a big member who likes bossing the others around and is also a huge liability. Losing that would be a serious win.

NATO could very well exist without the US in it. It’s not like the other members can trust the US to help at this point.

Well Rutte’s job is basically to keep NATO together, can’t blame him for trying. Personally I would not be sad if NATO chucked the US and told them to pack their bases all around Europe and go home. But I understand Rutte’s position.

Yes? Might also have been all the other investigations running against him that doge accidentally snuffed out.

Musk himself said that if Harris won he was going to be in very big trouble. It’s safe to say he supported Trump because that was not the law and order candidate.