My knee-jerk impression is that the European countries don't have the will to deploy their military in a show of force, which is different from saying they wouldn't technically be able to defend their borders from actual force rather than creeping intimidation.

On the other hand, the US actually LIKES the show of force, and sees it as a strategic strength, to the extent that they're overjoyed to have an ally to protect as an 'excuse' to flex muscle in the region.