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A paradoxical consequence of effective leadership is the eventual loss of authority. Once leaders succeed in motivating their constituencies, a sense of empowerment can develop among them, creating a sense of equality that undermines hierarchical structures. The catastrophic global conflicts of the 20th century illustrate this. Both world wars originated in Europe, yet today’s Europeans have disconnected from the immediate trauma of those conflicts. While this generation claims to have learned the lessons of Hitler’s atrocities, an underlying factor remains unaddressed: the malignancy of racism and unbridled hubris. Hitler’s belief in Aryan superiority was the toxic entitlement that fueled the devastation of World War II.
This complacency, if left unchallenged, poses a threat to world peace. If one contends that the Trump presidency estranges the U.S. from its European allies, one must also contemplate a historical reality. The United States’ detachment from Europe preceded and extended through both World Wars. In the Second World War, US intervention, influenced by Britain’s persistent pleas, occurred only in the waning stages. Hitler’s conquest of continental Europe is a testament to Germany’s ambition for expansion. A single nation subdued a continent, its military prowess overwhelming numerous European powers. Only Great Britain, championed by Winston Churchill, withstood the Nazi onslaught, effectively acting as Europe’s savior.
Yes! I believe the UK saved Europe in World War II. Despite his conquest of Western Europe, Hitler’s war was far from concluded. Russia remained. His dominion over the continent notwithstanding, could he have vanquished the Russians? The U. S., in a coordinated effort with Russia, ultimately liberated Europe from the Nazi yoke. That is another testament to the combined might required to defeat the Third Reich. Victory was a collaborative achievement forged by the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States. A sobering retrospective reveals how Hitler’s malignant, inflated sense of entitlement proved to be a catastrophic liability. It ultimately contributed to his downfall. His suicide was a final, desperate act.
It was the ultimate expression of a hubristic ego, unable to endure the ignominy of defeat. In this era, the transatlantic alliance is based on equality but asymmetry. The military might of the United States serves as a shield for Europe. This vulnerability raises a question, but not for the Europeans who feel entitled. Against whom does Europe need such robust protection? The charge is against China, but China is a country that has historically been averse to foreign conquest and global conflict. Or is it Russia? Well, despite the current geopolitical tensions, Russia has not demonstrated a consistent pattern of aggressive expansionism or instigating major wars either. The inconvenient truth lies in Europe’s past.
A dark legacy of colonialism and oppression, fed by a repugnant ideology of racial superiority marks the legacy of nearly every European nation. This casts a long shadow and suggests that the continent’s greatest threat may ultimately be its own inclinations. I believe Vice President JD Vance was alluding to the same thing. President Trump’s discourteous behavior toward President Zelenskyy displayed condescension. He belittled the Ukrainian leader, flaunting America’s power with disregard. Tragically, Zelenskyy’s presidency, initially marked by the promise of his successful entertainment career, was eclipsed by the brutal Russian invasion. This unexpected war thrust him into the unforgiving role of a wartime president.
While a more formal, diplomatic approach in the Oval Office might have been prudent, the suggestion that his demeanor was flawed due to a supposed lack of humility is a thinly veiled expression of prejudice. This assertion, equating a perceived lack of deference with racism, is flawed. It stems from an ingrained bias fueled by the arrogant presumption of Western superiority. Even amidst Ukraine’s dire financial straits, insufficient military resources, and the shortage of soldiers, the resilience of its spirit remains undiminished. This resolve, wrongly interpreted as arrogance, is, in fact, a testament to the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity. There is a difference between hubris and self-preservation.
However, Europe’s hubris, a reckless overconfidence, fuels its propensity for disastrous conflicts it might not win. Currently, the combined might of Europe and NATO is insufficient to overcome Russia in a comprehensive war. Yet, their ingrained self-regard threatens to propel Europe into decisions igniting a third world war—a war they are ill-equipped to conquer. Consequently, the United States must distance itself from reckless allies if they persist in pursuing policies that flirt with global annihilation. This was President Trump’s warning in the Oval Office. It was a condemnation of entitlement as a gamble with the lives of millions. Ukraine faces a nagging dilemma: unconditional surrender to silence the guns.
Ukraine’s appeal for “security guarantees” rings hollow. It’s a brazen claim to resources, manpower, and protections. Who can, in good conscience, make such a demand? Can the nations of Africa make a similar ask? Or South America? This claim springs from a sense of unearned privilege, a belief in superiority that ignores the principles of reciprocity. Trump’s blunt assessment, “You don’t hold the cards,” captures this reality. Indeed, Zelensky’s request has potential. It could provoke a confrontation between the United States and Russia. Ukraine risks igniting a global conflagration. At stake is nothing less than the unthinkable: a third world war. An international conflict with Russia isn’t a prospect the U. S. should entertain.
However, is a war to save Ukraine worth the catastrophic price of global devastation? Must the entire planet suffer because Russia invaded this country? History is tragically cyclical. Europe has again stumbled into a precipice. It’s a situation pregnant with the potential for another continental war. The United Kingdom must deploy its diplomatic prowess to avert this looming disaster. Regrettably, these purported American allies have consistently demonstrated a lack of genuine deference toward the United States. Therefore, confronting a formidable adversary like Russia necessitates a strategic realignment. The United States must forge a pact with Russia and China to preempt a third world war.
If Europe persists on its current, self-destructive course, the United States will be compelled to sever its ties, prioritizing its interests above an increasingly unreliable partnership. And let me make this final point. One way to know people who handle less financial responsibility is by listening to how they calculate expenses. When Trump said the US had spent 300 billion on Ukraine, they looked at the paperwork, which says the actual amount is 183 billion dollars. That’s the correct amount when you exclude logistical costs like storage, transportation, security, or staffing. Ukraine is not coming to pick up the equipment. It’s being delivered to them. First, it gets flown to Poland and then delivered by train.
It’s like when an African relative requests financial help from someone in the diaspora. We send them €200, but it cost us an additional €30-€50. On their end, they received €200, but on the diaspora side, the total amount was €250. There are costs included in the actual amount plus the physical energy needed to go to the Center and do the transaction.
