Part 4/11:
The presence of roughly 100,000 U.S. troops stationed across various European nations further emphasizes America’s commitment. These forces are not merely symbolic; they serve as the first line of defense in times of crisis, bolstered by additional troops prepared for rapid deployment. Additionally, around 100 tactical nuclear bombs are stored in several European countries, further showcasing U.S. military presence and influence.
The Intentional Design of Dependency
While it may be tempting to label Europe as complacent or stingy, the reality is that this dependency on U.S. military support is an engineered outcome. Had Europe developed a fully autonomous military capability, it could operate independent of U.S. approval—a scenario the U.S. has historically resisted.