Europeans don't appreciate just how precarious, and historically speaking, hopeless, our situation is:

It's the 350s AD and the rising Eastern Empire (America) is losing all interest in defending or aiding the restoration of the failing Western Empire (Europe).

Barbarians have long since moved into our cities and the Huns are coming from the East, just when we are least capable of making a cultural or military stand.

Europe's political unity is an empty shell and public finances are at a breaking point, silently but rapidly degrading our infrastructure and disintegrating all institutions.

While persistent make-believe once again disguises the inevitable, Europe is at the cusp of the next Dark Ages.