Although attributed to Winston Churchill, the famous aphorism that “Men and nations behave wisely when they have exhausted all other resources,” was actually first coined by the South African born Israeli statesman Abba Eban. Whether that sentiment best describes what is happening in Europe or whether it is another famous misquotation from Thucydides’ Melian Dialogue in his History of the Peloponnesian War, that the “Strong do what they will, and the weak do what they must,” remains moot. (The actual quotation is more accurately translated as “The powerful exact what they can, and the weak are obliged to comply.”)

The European Union, were they a truly united geopolitical force, would have only two rivals: The United States and China. Neither would need to be an enemy, but it only takes a cursory look at the numbers to realize how powerful a truly united Europe could be. They are over 450 million strong with both breadth and depth of educational, industrial and economic potential that, should it be efficiently harnessed, could in Shakespeare’s words when describing Julius Caesar, “bestride the world like a colossus.”

But they choose not to. Why?

The reasons are manifold and completely valid. Further, we should be pleased that they are who they are for we have much to learn from the blood-soaked history of that benighted continent. For more than two millennia European families, clans, tribes and nations killed and imprisoned each other for the right of hegemony. By the middle of the last century, they either exhausted themselves (and each other) or, more charitably, finally learned that there was a better path open to them if they acted collectively. They are currently on that path and by and large, it is working well for practically all of them.

With isolated exceptions, Europe has never experienced such a sustained period of peace and prosperity. The European Union, a social experiment unlike any other ever attempted is far from perfect, but to use a term from the British, who now live in self-imposed exile, the EU “muddles through.” But that returns me to my titular question. Why does Europe insist on being weak? Why does the EU accept two bullies simultaneously threatening their successful socio-economic experiment? To be clear, one threatens them from the East and uses a Cyrillic alphabet and the other lies across the Atlantic and speaks a nearly incoherent form of English. (If the penny has yet to drop, the two leaders in question met a few days ago in Alaska).

The EU has the economic base and intellectual breadth to tell both of these individuals to, as my old professor of US history, Colonel Edgar Denton III used to say, “shut up and take notes.” I do not say this lightly, but it is a fact. The continent could send both maniacal leaders packing, but it chooses not to. I am not naïve. I certainly appreciate that the EU does not wish to cut off relations with the US, but in the face of open aggression against them from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, why not simply do what Canada has done and actively pursue better “friends”? Not an easy or joyful prospect, to be sure, but certainly better than playing the sycophant. And anyway, Europe has lived without American support in the past and as uncomfortable as the prospect may be, they could again — at least until such time that the electorate of the Great Republic awakens from its fever dream.

As for the new Tzar, the EU could swat him like an errant fly. I know what some are thinking. Why shed Italian, British, German and French blood when the war criminal is so far away? There are two answers to that question. First, because he is not so far away and left unchecked will draw ever nearer. Europe has seen this movie before but seems to have forgot the lesson of stopping the invader before he reaches the heartland. Second, There is no reason to shed EU blood to stop him. The brave Ukrainians are more than willing to fight for Europe — but Europe must arm them. The EU is doing a good job in this respect, but it could do more. Much, much — much, more.

Flood Ukraine with arms and ammunition. Send trainloads of armour, artillery and ammunition and the Ukrainians will put an end to this war by themselves. They have demonstrated astounding courage and ingenuity and must be given more tools to finish the job.

Alas, the titular question remains unanswered.