Yeah, if they do somehow pull it off (which is a big IF), then the rivalry that Europe used to be known for might make a return. The whole idea behind the formation of the EU, which the US helped push for, was to squash this rivalry, unite the European bourgeoisie, and making them both subservient and militarily dependent on the US. I can’t imagine that Germany trying to reclaim its position as the European military superpower is going to sit well with countries like France who would prefer that position instead.
First as tragedy, and multiple times over as farce.
Of course the big difference between the historical France/Germany rivaly and a possible future one is France having an independent nuclear weapons capability. Even the UK relies on the US for maintaining - and if rumours are true, being allowed to use - their nuclear weapons. If the EU were to collapse I could see a lot of smaller powers ally with France, under terms very favourable to France, if it meant an ironclad nuclear-response security alliance with France.
Yeah, if they do somehow pull it off (which is a big IF), then the rivalry that Europe used to be known for might make a return. The whole idea behind the formation of the EU, which the US helped push for, was to squash this rivalry, unite the European bourgeoisie, and making them both subservient and militarily dependent on the US. I can’t imagine that Germany trying to reclaim its position as the European military superpower is going to sit well with countries like France who would prefer that position instead.
First as tragedy, and multiple times over as farce.
But does the US want to maintain this system now? Perhaps they see the EU as a competitor and want it to gridlock, or even fragment.
Of course the big difference between the historical France/Germany rivaly and a possible future one is France having an independent nuclear weapons capability. Even the UK relies on the US for maintaining - and if rumours are true, being allowed to use - their nuclear weapons. If the EU were to collapse I could see a lot of smaller powers ally with France, under terms very favourable to France, if it meant an ironclad nuclear-response security alliance with France.