Europe without the US

From a geopolitical standpoint, it's time for Europe to grow up. US President Donald Trump all but considers Europe a rival power - and never misses an opportunity to underscore this point. The European Union may be an economic power on an international scale, but otherwise it is not really seen as a serious force to be reckoned with.

There is no such thing as a single European army or a serious mechanism for collecting and assessing information. Decision-making, meanwhile, tends to be a slow and complicated process.

Trump's rise to the American presidency could serve as a wake-up call for European leaders and already there are talks on practical issues.

The joint production of military equipment would make Europe a key player and lend the continent a strategic advantage. Research and know-how do exist but what is sorely missing is political will.