> When you get defense for “free” from an overstretched US military, you obviously have more budget to develop your own country. Don't forget that is not "free

> When you get defense for “free” from an overstretched US military, you obviously have more budget to develop your own country. Don't forget that is not "free", the US has benefited from a lot of perks due to the position they're in. But it is true sovereign countries should take care of their defenses beyond what the US has to offer, but that will also come at the cost of the US. You can't have the cake and eat it at the same time - which is what some people seem to be forgetting among all of those internal politics complaints, and the mixing of the US geoplitics with internal politics. Because you can't be the "leader of the free world" and get all the benefits from it, while you cherry pick what it entails. Now you might argue that you don't see the benefits of that position, which is fair, but a lot is going on more than just military bases in Europe. And the world will carry on, and those voids left by the US will be filled. China is very happy to fill those empty spaces.