EUROPE TREMBLES:

Global order may be shaken for years by UN row (Telegraph, 3/17/2003)

One European defence minister said: "If war breaks out without a second UN resolution, it could affect the stability of the global political system. Many governments could fall."

He painted a scenario in which turmoil in the EU and the demise of Nato gives France and Germany the chance to forge ahead with plans for unity among a "core group" of about six European countries with a common foreign policy and a Euro-army.

"By provoking a rift with America, Chirac will force other European countries to take sides and try to create a union in which he would be the leader," said the minister.

If it didn't say "European defence minister" I would think this guy was a crackpot. Some people, apparently, take the UN way too seriously. Also, supposing Chirac did succeed in getting the EU down to 6 countries, why would Germany still see any benefit in it? There seems an inherent contradiction between the French goal of using transnational institutions to dominate other nations and the desire of other European nations to use transnational institutions to secure international comity. It seems to me if the French aggressively push such a plan, they will wind up isolated.

UPDATE (from OJ):
...which reminds us of the classic conservative comic strip, The Wizard of Id, and the panel where it is announced to the King that: "The peasants are revolting!" To which he responds: "Of course they are."

Posted by Paul Jaminet at March 17, 2003 11:54 AM