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> Switzerland (like EU countries) depends a 100 % on the US for defense, in the sense it would basically turn into Russia / China overnight if the US wasn't a m

> Switzerland (like EU countries) depends a 100 % on the US for defense, in the sense it would basically turn into Russia / China overnight if the US wasn't a military power protecting them. Neither Switzerland nor the EU depend "100%" on the US for defense, far from it. Some EU countries are among the biggest military spenders in the world. It's also difficult to see how Switzerland would "turn into Russia / China overnight" given that it's completely surrounded by the EU. How do you imagine that the Russians or Chinese will come to dominate Switzerland? Note that Switzerland managed to maintain its independence in WWII even though it was completely surrounded by the Axis.

bboygravity 7y ago
China vs France: https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.asp?form=form&country1=china&country2=france&Submit=COMPARE https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.... Russia vs France: https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.asp?form=form&country1=russia&country2=france&Submit=COMPARE https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.... Russia vs Germany: https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.asp?form=form&country1=russia&country2=germany&Submit=COMPARE https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.... The rest of Europe has no military power to speak of. Random example: the Dutch tank force consists of 0 tanks. > How do you imagine that the Russians or Chinese will come to dominate Switzerland? Admittedly Switzerland is probably one of the toughest to beat in Europe due to their strategic advantages (mountains, bunkers, infrastructure pre-rigged with explosives, relatively lots of reservists). However, just look at the numbers above. If the US didn't exist, the EU wouldn't be the EU unless they had 10x the military power they have now to defend themselves. > Note that Switzerland managed to maintain its independence in WWII even though it was completely surrounded by the Axis. A few facts about that: 1. It did so partly through secret deals with the Nazis. Ever wonder where the stolen gold of the dead jews was stored and smelted? Right... CH 2. The world's current military and political powers aren't comparable in any way to those during the second world war. 3. The Netherlands was neutral during the first world war. In the second world ware they fought the Germans for 3 days before they lost. That's right. 3 days. The fact that a country managed to stay neutral 70+ years ago says absolutely nothing about whether they would achieve the same again now, with totally different potential enemies. And a completely different distribution of military powers.
stef25 7y ago
As a European, considering the hypothetical scenario of Russia or China steamrolling their military in to our territory I don't have much faith in how long we'd hold out. We're good at bureaucracy and social things, not at fighting.

bboygravity 7y ago

China vs France: https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.asp?form=form&country1=china&country2=france&Submit=COMPARE https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.... Russia vs France: https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.asp?form=form&country1=russia&country2=france&Submit=COMPARE https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.... Russia vs Germany: https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.asp?form=form&country1=russia&country2=germany&Submit=COMPARE https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.... The rest of Europe has no military power to speak of. Random example: the Dutch tank force consists of 0 tanks. > How do you imagine that the Russians or Chinese will come to dominate Switzerland? Admittedly Switzerland is probably one of the toughest to beat in Europe due to their strategic advantages (mountains, bunkers, infrastructure pre-rigged with explosives, relatively lots of reservists). However, just look at the numbers above. If the US didn't exist, the EU wouldn't be the EU unless they had 10x the military power they have now to defend themselves. > Note that Switzerland managed to maintain its independence in WWII even though it was completely surrounded by the Axis. A few facts about that: 1. It did so partly through secret deals with the Nazis. Ever wonder where the stolen gold of the dead jews was stored and smelted? Right... CH 2. The world's current military and political powers aren't comparable in any way to those during the second world war. 3. The Netherlands was neutral during the first world war. In the second world ware they fought the Germans for 3 days before they lost. That's right. 3 days. The fact that a country managed to stay neutral 70+ years ago says absolutely nothing about whether they would achieve the same again now, with totally different potential enemies. And a completely different distribution of military powers.

stef25 7y ago

As a European, considering the hypothetical scenario of Russia or China steamrolling their military in to our territory I don't have much faith in how long we'd hold out. We're good at bureaucracy and social things, not at fighting.