>Still monumentally irrational behavior, but I just wanted to offer some explanation of the national psychology driving these kinds of non-sensical actions.
I don't quite understand what is irrational and non-sensical in such behavior. It is quite expected, rational and natural.
Demanding other nations follow our laws is “rational”? And “natural”?
Uh.. yeah..
Agree to disagree.
In fact, I think our entire unhealthy fixation on minorities is irrational. But hey, obviously enough voters believe in this trump nonsense that it will continue unabated.
>Demanding other nations follow our laws is “rational”? And “natural”?
From a political point of view, in the current circumstances - yes.
>unhealthy fixation on minorities is irrational
Who has unhealthy fixations? The current administration? This "fixation" brought it popular vote win. The Voters? They were voted exactly against unhealthy fixation on minorities.
And if they don't? The US military budget is almost the same as the military budget of all other countries combined. And as you probably understand, for a good reason.
Why would the US bugger off with such a military budget? If the US were ready to bugger off, they wouldn't have such a military budget.
>If the US has a gripe against certain minorities
Looks more like domestic populism. It doesn't seem like the new administration is doing well, the trade war is going badly, peace between Russia and Ukraine is not in sight - so they are trying to score cheap points by provoking the Democrats to make various unhinged, crazy and delusional statements about minorities. Just so that current administration could at least look not so bad compared to their opponents
The US overpays for a lot of its defence equipment. Given that recently a $125 million French aircraft was downed by a $50 million Chinese aircraft at least 3 times, it remains to be seen how cost effective the US military arsenal actually is in a prolonged fight against its main adversary.
As for Europe, USA's main adversaries are not really our problem - in fact, one of America's newfound allies is a problem for Europe.
So why exactly should Europe follow America's laws? Because world police or some thing?
I don't quite understand what is irrational and non-sensical in such behavior. It is quite expected, rational and natural.