who knows what could happen if the hawks gained control of Russia
They already have. Putin is effectively a dictator, and the Dumas is little more than a rubber-stamping institution. Directors of large companies not run by the former KGB and the Russian Mafia have been hounded, arrested on trumped up charges, even 'disappeared', and the businesses taken back under state control. The State has also taken back ownership of the vast majority, if not all, of the media. And they are still exerting influence and pressure on the former bloc states (Ukraine elections and poisoned opposition leaders, anyone??).
Crash, 'progressive socialism' is simply a product of the so-called 'third way', which is largely identical to old-school socialism, except hidden behind a barrage of media control, lies, spin an bullsh1t. Sound familiar?
Schroeder has revealed his true colours here - it is interesting to note that the German govt is trying to rapidly back-pedal on his speech. The only 'increased weight' that Europe has is the ever-increasing burden of its disastrous socio-economic policy, and the 'weight' of the masses of unemployed in the euro-zone.
With Neo-Nazi-ism on the rise, and Russia's return to the 'old ways', as well as the current global situation, I would say NATO is now more relevant than ever.
16B