[Dan D]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

Is this really what goes on at the E.U.?

I have no idea. I not familiar with the topic. I was hoping that some of the smart guys here at subsim could shed some light on it.

This is basically all I know:
Right now, we do not have something like a European Army. What we do have is Joint Corps, e.g. the German-Dutch Corps which consists of German and Dutch soldiers which are led by German or Dutch officers on a rotational changing basis. A friend of mine works for this Corps and he does the planning for the medical care for foreign deployments. This Joint Corps will see action for the first time ever later in 2009 in Afghanistan.
Do we need a European Army? I don't know. I thought, you guys could tell me.

Originally Posted by JALU3

...given the lack of interest in EU member states in funding an enlarged military, or the logistic support to conduct large/medium size deployment away from home waters....

My impression, too.

Originally Posted by JALU3

.Presently the EU is not a nation-state in and of itself, and unless it were to have some type of rebirth such as the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the present Constitution of the United States, it is unlikely that the EU will begin to have a unified voice for some time to come.

Careful, here. People may have observed that the sole mentioning of the „EU“ here at subsim causes reactions like a red rag waved to a bull. But I think, it is safe to say that no one really wants an EU superstate, something like the United States of Europe. Just to give an example, I would strongly oppose any attempts to create a unified European criminal law because I can see no reason why this should be necessary or could be justified with the goal European integration. Penal power is core part of a nation's sovereignty. Let's leave as that. Also, I don't like the idea ,that I might get arrested and would have to spent some time in pre-trial custody in an obscure country in Eastern or Southern Europe that probably has worser living conditions compared to German prisons, if not unavoidable.

Originally Posted by JALU3

But that is moving away from the initial point of discussion.

Very true, see above.

My point is that I fail to see, why it should be „unlikely that the EU will begin to have a unified voice for some time to come unless it were to have some type of rebirth such as the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the present Constitution of the United States".

Originally Posted by JALU3

.I am going to assume that SCOO, will, overtime coeles to become the counter weight to NATO. If this is the case, the question is, with the newer major powers arising, India, Brazil, maybe the Arab League. . . where will their allegiences fall under? Or will it be fluid to fit their own geopolitical needs.

It is very true that maintaining safe and secure, and preferably neutral, SLOCs are very important to international commerce. But if SLOCs are to not be neutral, then it would be very important for the benifiting party/ies to control those SLOCs and their points of confluence.

What is SCOO and SLOC? Yes, I have watched the movie.

Originally Posted by JALU3

Oh, and news flash, as predicted, PRC is now the third largest economy.

You are talking about PR China here, right? Too true, it has displaced Germany from third place.