© Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
There are two major fears for Western European elites when dealing with the new American administration. Surprisingly, the most serious challenge isn't the potential decision by the Trump administration to pursue a military confrontation with Russia through Ukraine while cutting financial spending. The root of their anxiety lies elsewhere.
It is naïve to believe that the inauguration of a new American president signifies a revolutionary shift in Washington's domestic or foreign policies. Most of the loudly proclaimed goals will either prove unattainable or be spun as victories despite their failures. Nevertheless, even the stated objectives of President Donald Trump's team are enough to provoke strong emotions in Western Europe, the region most humiliatingly dependent on America and, at the same time, the most parasitic actor in contemporary global politics.
For decades, 'the old world' has been stuck in a state of strategic ambiguity. Its military and political backbone was shattered during the Second World War. First, the crushing victory of Russian arms destroyed the last vestiges of continental militarism.
Second, the consistent post-war American policy ensured that Western Europe was systematically stripped of its ability to determine its own place in global affairs. Britain, the only major Western European power that avoided defeat, retained some fighting spirit, but its material resources have long been too limited to act independently, leaving it tethered to American power.
Comment:
1) From RT, there was on 28 Jan, 2025 15:37:
Kremlin responds to Carlson's claim US attempted to kill Putin 2) Before the so-called Biden administration there have been other headlines related to the idea of assassination:
- Serbia: Putin assassination plot foiled, Wahabist suspect caught with knives and sniper rifle (Jan 2019)
- Washington and its NATO & EU vassals are insane: Former CIA chief calls for Putin's assassination (Sep 2014)
- Assassination Bid on Putin Foiled, Ukraine Says (Feb 2012)
3) "Without providing evidence for his claim", and "The outlandish statements by the ex-Fox News host were quickly seized upon this morning by pro-Putin propagandists in Moscow.". Not outlandish, really:- Moscow hints at Western involvement in Putin assassination attempts (Jul 2024)
- Putin assassination attempts linked to US funds - Russia (Jul 2024)
- Russian President Vladimir Putin survives assassination attempt: Report (Sep 2022)
- Putin survived recent assassination attempt, says Ukrainian intel chief (May 2022)
- Russia reacts to US senator's Putin assassination plea (Mar 2022)
4) The remark from Tucker Carlson in the interview with his guest, Matt Taibbi, regarding attempts on the life of the Russian President, is from around minute 47 of the published video, which has these headlines, none of which apparently were worthy of attention: For the video, see: