"71% of Europeans want to see the European Union become a superpower like the United States in order for the EU to cooperate better, rather than compete, with the US. However, 51% of those resist increased military spending, the survey found."
Does the word "fickle" come to mind? How do those people who want the EU to be a superpower imagine that will happen while defense budgets remain so neglected?
American defense spending as a percent of GDP fell sharply during the 1990s, but has risen again in the past two years. Projected defense spending for 2003 is 3.5% of GDP - approximately where it was in 1996. Defense spending in Europe is down around the 2% of GDP range (varies by country). How can anyone seriously expect the EU to become a superpower when it won't spend money on defense?
