Jackdidley. If the Euro currency will lead to the United States of Europe this is a big step. However in my recent visit to European each European country seem nationalistic and proud of its culture. I think it will take a long time before they unite in any meanerful political union. Even the North Atlantic treaty has done little to ensure unity. Only Britain seems to take the links with the USA seriously enough to comit meanerful troops Afghanistan.

However Myrddin is right individual European nations are likly to less influenial in the future. The centre of the world is moving to the Pacific. A united European block might be a counterweight to the USA, China and India. However if its links too closely to the USA it will just appear as a yes man for big Brother. Europe can bring much wisdom to the world scene. It knows how regional conflicts can lead to world wars. Because of its colonial past it does have more knowledge of Asian and African atitudes than the USA.The USA seems to be coming more nationalistic and could slip in isolation as it did in the 1920s. The world need a strong united Europe.

There doesn't seem to be any EU country willing to contribute to a bailout, Jack. They all seem too angry that Greece doctored her books and, if she were bailed out, other countries would be tempted to do the same thinking they would be saved.

I've always thought that the EU would work toward a federation. But I've been assured by Europeans that that just isn't so. Now I wonder.

We are atrophying, economically, geopolitically, militarily, where is this influence you speak of coming from? It is coming from being the tick clinging to the tail of a dog? The UK is the example to follow with regards to relevancy?

We need to be able to stand on our own; the Atlanticist view is a dead end as long as one partner is a lot more junior than the other.

I didn't say we will be one country either.