America may lose battles and portions of population over the next 10 years but by the time this matter with the Arab-Russian & Franco-Germanic axis is setteled, American Military power will have eclisped anything imagined. It is no secret that the US is already disengaging from Europe as trade with Asia has long since made the old world less important; European politics have also made it clear to American Business interests (for various reasons) that less critical trade with Europe increases stability at America's home and abroad. America does not wish to compete with Europe in idealogical, trade or political barbs - but has chosen a path of least resistence to Asia in hopes of allowing Europe to accept the US as the US has made its peace the state of Europe. So now the U.S. will diminsh its soverignty for the sake of European terms? If this is what is really meant by the "path of least resistance", then these are just the beginning of more troubles ahead for the U.S.
I wrote this, and it infers that American future engagement in economic and military interests will become fixated upon Asia; the European shpere is mired in high costs and there is less America needs, or can afford from Europe in trade; that in relation to global security, Europe will take care of herself. The new frontier that requires viligance is now Asia for both economic and security; much of the worlds oil transents these waters, the majority of American overseas trade is pacific and the larger markets/populations with growth potential is also Asia.
Not an issue of dimished sovernity, but rather an expanded horizon that allows a smaller focus on Europe. Europe needs to focus on Europe and her own needs and we will see an European focus on Africa and South West Asia/Russian republics; however, the US will focus on Taiwan, South Korea & possibly North, Japan, Singapore, Philippines and Asstrallia/India; the major losers will be North Korea, Viet Nam and China if anything goes sour in this theater. Again the major emphasis and engery of America will be to the Pacific and in this fashion we will be better cooperating with Europe by allowing Europe to find herself, and a new voice in the process by which to reopen the channels of "miscommunication" with North America.