The US has plenty of useful idiots in positions of power in the EU, yes. They knew precisely what sanctions meant for the populace but went ahead anyway. As to

The US has plenty of useful idiots in positions of power in the EU, yes. They knew precisely what sanctions meant for the populace but went ahead anyway. As to the military I'd like to refer you to this: https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-nato-problem-defense-procurement-training-research/ https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-nato-problem-defense-... A couple of quotes: "Opposition comes not only from the U.S., which despite Trump’s browbeating of allies to spend more, is intent on preserving a 70-year-old framework that lets Washington call the shots and put its interests first." "Under the guise of avoiding “duplication” and demanding “complementary” capabilities, the U.S. and NATO’s political leaders continue to put up strong resistance to the EU ever developing the command-and-control capabilities that would allow it to operate outside of the alliance’s existing umbrella." At least on the China situation we seem to agree...