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If Europe invested more in their militaries they could dictate their own terms with their neighbors.

The Germany would have to get nuclear weapons. The U.S. knows that perfectly well, that is why it stays and hypocritically complains that the EU isn't doing enough.

Also, the U.S. MIC wants to sell to its NATO "allies".

Can't dictate terms with a nuclear superpower.

European nations like France and the UK have the nuclear trident (the ability for global MAD). They can dictate more than enough.

Also, until the 1990s, Western European armies were VERY professional and capable of military and technological innovation.

Hell, the Bundeswehr was well equipped with fairly competitive weaponry made by German manufacturers such as Heckler and Koch, KNDS (Leopard tanks), Rheinmetall, etc

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