Thread by @gbponz

Actually, Albert, who is rarely if ever wrong, Is this time around.
The #EU is unanimous, on one thing: They won't EVER have a viable military. @RobertMCutler @Halsrethink @vtchakarova @GreekAnalyst @michaeltanchum (1/6)

For one thing there is a total and utter loathing about spending money there. Our present #EUCO president was Defense Minister of Germany and under her stewardship the Bundeswehr had to ask allies to lend it winter equipment for soldiers during training exercises. (2/6)

Helicopter pilots LOST their license due to lack of minimum flight hours as well. Core Europe might splurge for #Energiewende, but Stout German soldiers can freeze.
Moreover, there's the "hammer and nail" argument. Should you spend on a military instrument, it should help. (3/6)

Militaries are inherently bound to the concept of "Nation" and "borders", so a willingly porous Europe has to keep them below minimum. A strong Army would bring Europe in line with Orban erecting concertina wire. A strong navy would have to control the Sicilian strait. (4/6)

On top of those issues, there is the unlikely event of hot conflicts. That would mean building a clear and unified chain of command, which #NATO would not provide (it would actually demand it of the #EU).(5/6)

The Best "Pravda" cartoon would be two T72 crews sipping coffee in Madrid in front of their tanks, while one asks of the other: "By the way, did the #EU decide the chain of command of the military yet?" (end)