I am personally of the opinion that the race by European countries to recognize their WWI allies (France recognizing Serbia, Germany recognizing Croatia, if I remember correctly) was a big early mistake, too.

But that is beside the point. The point is that as a result of all their failures, which were openly acknowledged, the EU decided to create the Common Foreign and Security Policy which did not exist back then.

I am also still waiting for the US military to do an honest appraisal of its failures like the Netherlands did regarding Srebrenica.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. — Euripides