I don't think it's fair to say that Europeans started. Danes always bought US hardware over European arms, went to war when US called and lost soldiers. Now they are threatened with imperial invasion and called a 'bad ally' by their 'ally'. This was one of the most pro-US countries in the world.
Scandinavia isn't doing much to bring down housing costs, or cost of living in general. So I'm skeptical that their policies are really that great. Some of the countries like Sweden have allowed in large numbers of immigrants, many of which ended up working in elder care facilities. While that might be a positive in some ways it also drives up housing prices.
Many countries have a higher birth rate today than last year.
They tend to be lower income, have fewer women's rights, or be more agricultural.
IMHO, we overemphasized the dangers and impact of children, especially for women or career, and so couples have made the rational decision to have fewer children in industrialized nations, when given the choice.
That is a fine opinion to have. Mine have been worth every minute and penny and I wish I had them 10 years ago - but was dissuaded by nearly everyone including my grand plans for myself.
I am not trying to convince you, but one rational / philosophical argument goes:
Imagine the thing you are trying to accomplish before you have children. Now imagine your neighbor lets his children die (or be taken away) so he can do that, because parenthood was in the way. Everyone is aghast. Yet we deny ourselves parenthood to do that thing all the time.
Denmark is in NATO, US base is already in Greenland and I'm sure Danes would be open to add few more. There is no need to invade it. The moment it happens, Europe is lost to the US as an ally and NATO is gone.
Russia has been involved in sabotage, shooting down planes with Europeans (MH17), killing people they don't like in EU/UK for years now. If anything EU is extremely timid and does not retaliate.
- shooting down civilians planes is something quite common in military operations (see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyan_Arab_Airlines_Flight_... ). A bunch of 20 somethings handling equipment designed for mass murder. What could possibly go wrong?
- extra judicial killings on foreign soil are more common than you expect (remember the Saudis ? Or the Indian assassinated in Canada recently)
Russia is an authoritarian system by any account it holds responsibility for repulsive acts. But the current narrative is at best naive.
Some of us live close enough that it's not really an option, surrendering to Russians don't work that great if you live in Eastern Europe. I will volunteer first day to join Polish Army.
