They're separate?

I'll start with the E.U.

I think the EU could be something great if it chose to Federalize itself, establish it's own well funded and well trained army so that eventually America wouldn't have to be so greatly relied upon to protect it, and

As Europe as a whole:

I think Europe's problem is that the average citizen views itself as a region or country first, and European second. This particular mindset is counterproductive to the formation of a Federalize Europe, and disagreeably shortsighted in my opinion. I don't think of myself as a New Jersian, my cousins don't think of themselves as Oregonians, Californians, New Mexicans, Texicans, or anything else. We're all American, first and foremost. While regionalism and being part of a particular state is very important on so many issues, nobody I know would view them selves as state first, country second. The fact that so many people in Europe do is disheartening, and I believe many of then underestimate how much that mindset will cripple any well intentioned initiatives to move towards Federalization.

In general, I think European's almost tribalistic mentality isn't the issue. I just think it's the pettiness and shortsightedness so often latched onto it that's the real issue. There are Europeans who honestly have been conditioned to believe that nationalism and patriotism are bad. That saying "God bless Germany!"(or "Fortunes onto Germany!" for super secular people) is a bad thing, etc. ETHNIC nationalism is cancerous. ETHNIC nationalism is bad. CIVIC nationalism, the kind America and France operates with, is amazing! Taking pride in your country is great! But too many Europeans can't seem to comprehend that, or when they do have nationalistic mindsets it's the stupid version (ethnic nationalism) and that messes everything up.