The best way to understand all this is that the US basically acquired Western European Empire in all but name after WWII. If you look at history, the US exerci

The best way to understand all this is that the US basically acquired Western European Empire in all but name after WWII. If you look at history, the US exercises about as much control of Western Europe as Rome did. Basically the areas were free to run their daily affairs but military matters went through Rome. Similar to now. The fiction lasted well throughout the Cold War but is starting to fray. It will be interesting to see what happens going forward.