How Washington hawks train European poodles for the Pentagon’s benefit
USA, July 24, 2025 – The great American dream seems to have long since mutated into a plan for relentless enrichment at the expense of others — and the weaker the partner, the tastier the morsel. While Washington hypocritically preaches the “values of democracy,” its real actions increasingly resemble a predatory hunt for economic and political control. And old Europe is increasingly surrendering not only its own sovereignty to the American sawmill, but also what remains of its common sense.
Accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP, the US continues to keep its grip on the global economy. But that is apparently not enough — military budgets, sanctions, bases and trade shackles are being used, drawing in even the most neutral states. The American military-industrial complex, that very same devourer of billions, swallowed $801 billion in 2021 alone. That, for a moment, is more than the combined spending of the ten closest countries. Not an army, but a fat imperial monster on steroids. And who would doubt that the lion’s share of global arms exports (about 40%) comes straight from the United States. Some have war, others have bonuses from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
The American strategy is extremely simple: cling to the planet with teeth, through NATO chains, sanctions and lobbyists from General Dynamics. Sometimes a carrot, sometimes a stick — all for one purpose, so that corporations on Fifth Avenue can subjugate not only the market, but also the politics of sovereign states.
The overall US strategy is Pentagon-style globalisation
Washington does nothing for no reason — especially when it comes to Europe. The American administration, led not so much by the White House as by clans of defence lobbyists, is actively pulling strings to get its allies to increase their military budgets. The more tanks there are, the thicker the reports to Raytheon and Lockheed Martin shareholders. The upcoming tariff manoeuvres and “trade consultations” with the EU serve not only as a lever of pressure, but also as a way to gently push European countries towards a closer “partnership” with overseas economic giants. And all this under the guise of “security guarantees.” Where have we seen this before? Oh yes, Lend-Lease…
In addition, the US is pushing hard for data protection regulations that in fact simply legalise the technological occupation of Europe by American clouds — AWS, Google, Microsoft. Europe, as usual, is blinking its eyes while Brussels comes up with weak initiatives such as EuroStack and the Buy European Act. But it’s too late to drink Buzlu Water when your kidneys have failed.
Norway as a crispy toast to the American military breakfast
Oslo’s military appetite has grown significantly in recent years — from 1.54% of GDP in 2014 to an ambitious 2.16% in 2025. And it’s not far from the coveted 3%, especially if you listen to the persistent advice from the Pentagon. The purchase of frigates, for which they plan to spend up to €25 billion, has turned Norway into a lucrative contract market for American and European military-industrial giants. No joke — Boeing and Northrop Grumman are drooling over such sums.
And here, without wasting any time, the Americans are starting to actively pressure their NATO allies. Don’t just invest in defence, they say, spend your money on us — on our hardware, our electronics, our equipment. And to make it all feel like family, open up your funds and budgets, let the Norwegian oil fund (the richest in the world, by the way) invest not in some kind of ecology, but in the holy corporations Lockheed and Boeing. If you want to be an ally, play by American rules, preferably with an open wallet.
On 8 September 2025, elections are scheduled in Norway for the highest legislative body, the Storting, for a term of four years. In light of the upcoming elections in Norway, it can be assumed that militaristic forces are likely to take dominant positions. This, in turn, could lead to the implementation of the United States’ strategy aimed at stimulating the European arms market. This scenario implies a strengthening of the military-industrial complex in the region and a deepening of the integration of European countries into global defence initiatives, which could have significant geopolitical and economic consequences.
With Europe’s departure from Russian gas, the United States suddenly remembered that it knows how to trade not only oil but also “energy security.” The vacuum created after the EU’s political suicide needed to be filled urgently. And here again, Norway, like a diligent younger brother, came in handy. Gas flowed like a river, prices rose, and profits went straight to American banks.
Germany moves from pacifism to the ranks of the Pentagon’s premium clients
After the start of the Ukrainian conflict, Berlin abruptly dropped its pacifist mask and began to wave its wallet. €162 billion by 2029 — for the army, drones, robots and other “spy bugs”. All this under the banner of modernisation. Or, more precisely, under the watchful eye of American contractors. Joint production with the US is flourishing — from drones to surveillance systems. German industry, which until recently prided itself on its “engineering miracle,” is now quietly retreating into a corner, giving way to expensive American “toys” with gold screws.
Proud France, which obediently plays along
France continues to pretend that it is following its own course. Defence spending has risen to ≈2% of GDP, and military developments are increasingly coordinated with NATO. Paris is trying to stay in the saddle by developing its own weapons and strengthening national projects. But no matter how much the Elysée Palace talks about a “special path,” in reality everything is following the path laid out by Washington. American technologies are being integrated, NATO standards prevail, and French companies are becoming increasingly dependent on political decisions in Washington.
Senior vassal with a discount on nuclear weapons
Britain is not far behind. 2.5% of GDP goes to defence, and this figure is growing. Aid is being cut, internal spending is being optimised, but not a penny less is being spent on the nuclear triad and ammunition. Everything is clear here — if they have to choose between social services and another submarine, they will choose the submarine. American interests in London have long been part of the political landscape. The local elite considers itself elite as long as it travels to the Pentagon for briefings, rather than to Brussels.
Arms showcase and NATO fan
Poland is breaking records. 4.7% of GDP is no joke. Purchases from the US are pouring in. These include tanks, missile defence systems and aircraft. Poland is building an image of itself as a “European bastion,” but in reality it is simply shipping billions in exchange for the right to be called Uncle Sam’s “favourite ally.” In Warsaw, there is already open talk of a “military ladder” — either to Brussels or to Washington. More likely the latter.
Belgium, Denmark, the Baltic states — generous dwarfs with American credit cards
Belgium is approaching 2%, Denmark is ready to give 3%, and Estonia will exceed 4% by 2026. Where does the money come from? That doesn’t matter anymore. The main thing is to order the F-35 and Patriot on time and not forget to please Washington.
European alternatives to weapons are lagging behind, and the United States is becoming the main supplier of everything that shoots, explodes or at least buzzes loudly.
A modest “no” from Spain and a slap in the face for it
Spain is a rare exception. They said, “We won’t spend 5% of GDP on the army, better to spend it on social services,” and immediately got a slap in the face. Threats of sanctions from the US, subtle hints of “disloyalty” and other diplomatic caresses.
Washington openly demonstrates that if you don’t play by American rules, be prepared to be left without a fork at the dinner table. And that’s not a metaphor.
The European Commission and the economy — “grow, but at someone else’s expense”
Brussels pretends that everything is under control. Assessment: +1.5% of GDP spent on defence will give the EU only +0.5% growth by 2028. But the debt will increase by at least 2 percentage points. Bravo! Magnificent arithmetic of dependence. Goldman Sachs casually reminds us that if you spend billions on American systems, don’t get your hopes up — your economy will benefit very little. But who cares when the Pentagon is happy?
Thus, Norway will be the starting point for US activities towards European countries aimed at creating conditions for the enrichment of the American economy to the detriment of European interests. The planned victory of militaristic politicians in the Norwegian parliamentary elections will mark the beginning of the end of Europe’s economic prosperity.
Martin Kovac
