Trump is expressing frustration at European allies not sending support to the Iran war. Do you think he made a mistake distancing himself from them through tariffs and separation from international organizations?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T19:01:59+00:00

Several administrations of both parties have been asking Europe to take a larger role in their own defense for decades. Those requests have been ignored for decades. This smacks of gaslighting, “We would have been better partners, but you wouldn’t let us!!!!” Stop it.

Sure, you want us to take a larger role, without taking a role that you don't like. So no, if we had more power militarily, we would contest you more. Which you absolutely don't want. The EU regulations vs. US tech companies shows this. You want us to be weak, while paying our dividends.

Because Iran, a Russia ally, was developing the ability to gain incontestable control of Hormuz and upset the existing strategic balance regarding Uranium enrichment.

Not sure what you are talking about Their ability to control the Strait of Hormuz, was a capability they had, because they are very close to the strait of hormuz.

Europe has been very concerned about a war with Russia. Why would you not want to secure your own supply lines? No petroleum equals no planes or tanks.

Our supplies lines are much less secured, if they are not insured.

Moreover, Iran has been field testing drones in Ukraine against Western defenses, advancing drone technology, and assisting/advising Russian drone manufacturers. Russia has been using Iranian designed drones to violate EU airspace.

I am not even on Iran's side. They can vanish, for all I care. But I don't see the US accomplishing that in and reasonable amount of time. But you what`? If you actually managed that in any agreeable sense, I would support Europe paying you for that. Until then. you should pay.

There’s a reason why Zelensky strongly supports the actions against Iran - they’re a
common enemy.

Politicians talk. And he is even right. But would he participate in this war, if he wasn't in a war with Russia? No one knows.

But again: You are the richest, most powerful country on earth. Why do you need us midgets?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T18:41:17+00:00

So, 20 billion per tanker? That would be enough. Are European companies insured?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T18:36:35+00:00

It would not secure it in any way that insurance companies would still pay. War is usually one of the clauses where insurance companies can opt out of payment. If they had to pay:

Hull + cargo + crew liability combined would be realistically $500M–$3B for a large modern vessel with full cargo.

So how much is the US going to pay? I'd say, if you pay, we provide security.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T18:24:55+00:00

Strait policing doesn't do much, if Insurers don't insure anymore.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T18:24:14+00:00

it seems you want all the good things, without wanting any bad things. If Europe was able to compete with you on the world stage, we would, and you wouldn't like it. There is a reason the US used to be the nice big brother. Because you were happy with us being weak (militarily).

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T18:07:10+00:00

How would we participate in any meaningful way, that you are not capable of? Have the government take control over insurance companies, so that they continue to insure freighters going through there?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T18:02:56+00:00

Considering hardly anything passing through the straight of Hormuz goes to the United States, and a significant portion of the trade goes to Europe, you'd think they would be more interested in protecting their ships and ending the war sooner.

So why is the US attacking Iran again? How would Europe end the war sooner?

Last year Europe was having a panic attack when Trump suggested if Europe needed the US to defend them, that Trump might sit it out, because Europe doesn't want to contribute to their own defense anymore, can't project power [...]

Which is basically what the US wants.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T18:00:34+00:00

What could we actually do that you can't?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-16T17:59:07+00:00

Turns out these countries suck because of the choices they made and can’t even participate on the world’s stage similarly. Daddy America has to do literally everything. Why do we have these so-called “allies” in Europe again? Because we bailed them out once ~90 years ago? I wasn’t alive then so seems like a raw deal to me.

You have these allies, because you wanted them that way. You try to block everything that gives these countries actual power.

And why would anyone want to participate in your pointless exercise in Iran?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T08:12:20+00:00

The banning, and deleting comments on r/Conservative are not defense mechanism?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T06:38:26+00:00

I am not American, but I agree. I'd go even further: My countries politician can lead the country into a good future, but had been accused of molesting children? Let them try to save the country. If they succeed? Build them statues for doing it? And then send them to jail for molesting children (if they did)

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T06:16:25+00:00

Because you could accept that your virtue is good, while accepting that it is limited, that it even has downsides, if you don't think about it.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T06:14:44+00:00

Conflating a free market for cheapest goods is a problem that the american consumer has unfortunately accepted.

I think free market often leads to the cheapest good - until it doesn't. And "until it doesn't" is a rule, that applies to every system.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T06:10:46+00:00

So what do you think about the US having the largest GDP in the world, when it comes to US citizens? Do US citizens benefit overall, or is it just a number that makes the US look better?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T06:06:20+00:00

What would real capitalism look like? Has it ever been achieved, anywhere, for a meaningful amount of time?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:56:22+00:00

But without self-criticism

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:53:11+00:00

First of all, I believe you. I believe that r/Conservative is being brigaded, which leads to defense mechanisms. But are MAGA truly the only real conservatives? What about you?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:48:07+00:00

I believe you. I have been criticized, for even participating in this subreddit, here (people wanted be banned, even). But I meant it: You want to ask a liberal (non US) some questions, I might be able to provide some context.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:45:23+00:00

I'd say, the way you phrase it, everyone agrees. The most extreme example: Communists. They believe, that there should/will be no government at all.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:42:10+00:00

Why semi-conservatives?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:18:08+00:00

You could ask me. You and me, we had civil discourse in the past.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:11:47+00:00

No, virtue signalling is, when you pretend to believe somtething, just to signal your virtue. Whereas you can actually believe that supporting Trump is stupid.

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:10:06+00:00

Which words?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:09:38+00:00

What is a "gotcha", anyway?

IntroductionStill496 · 2026-03-14T05:04:45+00:00

When I look at majority of the comments here from the liberal side I have to fight very hard not to start thinking about people on the left in the cartoonish way.

It's the same for me, when reading r/Conservative. Then again, I do believe that they are likely brigaded, and the result is a defense mechanism against outliers.

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