Since the end of World War II, European nations have spent little on military hardware and salaries. They have been willing to leave that dubious pleasure to the United States, while they've mostly spent their budgets on elaborate welfare schemes.
For seven decades the U.S. has defended Europe. We did so because allowing the Soviets to overrun it would have done unpleasant things to our place in the world's balance of power. Now the Soviets are gone and Europe is being overrun by MENA migrants.
Defending a region overrun by young Muslim men quickly will become unpalatable to American voters. We are approaching the day when we level with Europe about their choices as we decide to no longer defend them.
Europe can elect to do nothing - basically invite Putin to become their "protector" - or they can rearm. To rearm they will have to raise taxes, cut benefits, borrow extensively, and perhaps reinstitute a draft.
None of these options will be popular. Expect European anger at our "selfishness" in asking them to carry their own weight. We will, however, need to continue to protect Canada because it is in our interest to do so.
