Fragile Europe, On Its Own

French president Emmanuel Macron was all smiles as he pumped US president Donald Trump ’s hand for seventeen long seconds at the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris .

But there were signs of the problems currently afflicting Europe and the shifting politics within and around the European Union .

At this critical moment, domestic politics in both France and Germany have disintegrated.

Fratelli d'Italia remains the most popular party in Italy , six points ahead of the centre-left Partito Democratico in a poll of voting intentions taken in early December .

In France , Marine Le Pen is strong favourite to be the next French president, in spite (or perhaps because of) a threat to jail her for alleged misuse of EU funds.

In response to populist reaction, governments across Europe are now making extravagant promises to cut immigration.

Joel Kotkin argues that Europe is struggling to awaken from its long peaceful doze under the protection of the United States and marshal responsibility for its own defence.

European leaders have grown comfortable within a multilateral system that allowed them to hide behind American skirts while pursuing their own economic, environmental, and social-engineering goals.

The US spends roughly 3.5 percent of GDP on defence.