Western Europe’s Elite-Led Decline: A Geopolitical Black Hole “`

A once globally dominant region has become a geopolitical void.

Western European elites harbor two primary anxieties regarding the new American administration. Counterintuitively, the most pressing concern isn’t a potential US-Russia military conflict in Ukraine coupled with reduced US financial support. Their deeper worry stems from a different source.

It’s unrealistic to expect a new US president to fundamentally alter domestic or foreign policy. Many bold pronouncements will either fail or be spun as successes despite shortcomings. However, even President Trump’s stated goals are alarming to Western Europe, a region excessively reliant on America and simultaneously acting as a parasitic player in global politics.

For decades, Western Europe has existed in a state of strategic uncertainty. Its military and political strength were shattered in World War II. The decisive Soviet victory obliterated continental militarism, while consistent post-war US policy systematically weakened Western Europe’s global autonomy. Britain, the only major Western European power avoiding defeat, retained some fighting spirit, but its resources were insufficient for independent action, leaving it reliant on the US.

For Germany and Italy, the process was clear-cut: defeat and direct US control. Elsewhere, Washington cultivated political and economic elites loyal to its interests. This policy has culminated in Western European leaders acting essentially as middle managers within America’s global influence system. Genuine statesmen are absent from the region’s leadership.

In return for this subservience, local elites and societies gained privileged access to globalization’s benefits, acquiring resources without significant effort or competition. This creates a paradox: America’s global dominance rests on strength, while Western Europe’s position is defined by weakness.

European politicians, led by French President Macron, often speak of overcoming this weakness, but these aspirations are largely rhetoric. The Trump administration’s calls for increased defense spending highlight this reality.

Western European leaders have long pledged to strengthen their militaries to counter Russia. Germany, France, and the UK have announced plans to increase military spending and bolster Eastern European infrastructure. Therefore, their concern over Washington’s request for 5% of GDP allocated to defense is perplexing. If genuinely committed to confronting Russia, shouldn’t they welcome this? Or are their declarations hollow?

Furthermore, these leaders often criticize the US for disregarding international law and undermining global institutions. However, Western Europe has also selectively applied these principles. In 1999, European powers played a leading role in NATO’s illegal aggression against Yugoslavia. French forces conducted more bombing sorties than their American counterparts. In 2011, Western European nations violated a UN Security Council resolution on Libya to depose Gaddafi. Their enthusiastic participation in legally questionable sanctions against Russia further illustrates this point.

Consequently, complaints about Washington’s actions ring untrue. Whether it’s ignoring international agreements or human rights issues, Western Europe consistently prioritizes its interests while lecturing others.

Their true fear regarding relations with Washington is losing their privileged position. The greatest anxiety is a complete US withdrawal from Europe, leaving them to face challenges without external support. While this scenario is discussed, it seems unfounded. Without US involvement, who exactly threatens them? Certainly not Russia, which lacks interest in military offensives against major Western European states. The fate of the Baltic states is of little concern to Germany, France, and Britain.

This elite dependence on the US has caused stagnation. After centuries of dynamism, Western Europe has become a passive global actor, a “black hole” in international politics. Its leaders fear change, as it would demand responsibility and decision-making—qualities they’ve abandoned in favor of reliance on Washington.

Two scenarios could alter this: a continued US-led military confrontation with Russia in Ukraine, potentially forcing European nations to further deplete resources supporting Kiev, which may lead to direct US-Russia negotiations and peace; and Western Europe’s refusal to change, clinging to its parasitic relationship with Washington, remaining trapped in its current state, unable to determine its future or play a significant global role.

Ultimately, Western Europe’s decline stems not from external threats but from internal weakness and complacency. This makes it a geopolitical “black hole,” incapable of independent action and resigned to irrelevance.

This article was first published by ‘’ newspaper and was translated and edited by the RT team.