Was the "Old Europe" the one where, before WWI, a country would declare war on a neighbouring country an the other coutries would stand around and watch the fight? My History is a bit patchy, but I think Austria-Hungary spoiled the old system because (a) they were really two countries, and (b) they got their mates to gang up with them, so the little countries had to get their Big Brothers to come and sort 'em out.

In GB, we only picked fights with countries a long way off (once that Napoleonic business was sorted out -- he was another one who wouldn't Play The Game). Like the Americans, we never believed in shitting on our own doorstep.

Steve