In the depths of a seemingly unending energy crisis in Europe, predicting the endgame has become near impossible. But the so-called European Paradox might hold the answer
As a Brit who considers himself European, I found the article really odd. Who is suggesting that the EU would come apart at the seams this Winter because of the gas crisis? Sure, there are different degrees of appetite to fight Putin militarily, but not to the extent that EU solidarity is threatened, and after the Nordstream pipes were blown up, Europe couldn’t receive Russian gas this Winter even if it did want to appease Putin, which it doesn’t. I’m afraid you’ve soundly pummelled a straw man.
Thanks for your informative analysis. In my 71-years of traveling, reading and generally trying to understand this world, I have gathered impressions that Europeans are far more tolerant. . . than us overfed, impatient, fast-driving yanks. I get the impression, as supplemented by your report here, that Europeans will demonstrate far more patience for energy shortages in the coming winter. I don't think that a handful of pipeline explosions and a northern war will dissuade them from gritting teeth and bearing the discomforts of a few gas shortages, this winter.
I mean, look what they had to put up with from 1940-45--or their parents/ grandparents, anyway-- in order to pull through that historical bottleneck of destruction, distress and subsequent reconstruction.
I have a feeling that there is a civilizational deep memory there that will equip Europeans to bear the discomforts of energy shortages during this coming winter. They will demonstrate patience and forbearance that fat'n'happy Americans can't even imagine. We shall see.
As a Brit who considers himself European, I found the article really odd. Who is suggesting that the EU would come apart at the seams this Winter because of the gas crisis? Sure, there are different degrees of appetite to fight Putin militarily, but not to the extent that EU solidarity is threatened, and after the Nordstream pipes were blown up, Europe couldn’t receive Russian gas this Winter even if it did want to appease Putin, which it doesn’t. I’m afraid you’ve soundly pummelled a straw man.
Thanks for your informative analysis. In my 71-years of traveling, reading and generally trying to understand this world, I have gathered impressions that Europeans are far more tolerant. . . than us overfed, impatient, fast-driving yanks. I get the impression, as supplemented by your report here, that Europeans will demonstrate far more patience for energy shortages in the coming winter. I don't think that a handful of pipeline explosions and a northern war will dissuade them from gritting teeth and bearing the discomforts of a few gas shortages, this winter.
I mean, look what they had to put up with from 1940-45--or their parents/ grandparents, anyway-- in order to pull through that historical bottleneck of destruction, distress and subsequent reconstruction.
I have a feeling that there is a civilizational deep memory there that will equip Europeans to bear the discomforts of energy shortages during this coming winter. They will demonstrate patience and forbearance that fat'n'happy Americans can't even imagine. We shall see.