"If we have to bring in China and Russia, why not bring the EU into the fold?" Bill asked. "Or at least the EU countries that matter." 

Bill glanced towards the Secretary of Defense and flashed a wry smile.

"I think my ambivalence towards the UN has been well documented and is well known to everyone here in the room. The UN and the Security Council can wait until it's all a fait accompli, what matters is what we do before even bringing it to them. This summit, because that's what it's going to be, is going to be about more than just defense. We'll need a gameplan for studying whatever the hell is out there. That is going to involve science along research and development. Western and Central Europe are fantastic at stuff like that."

With a shrug, Bill leaned back in his chair.

"Plus, having the EU at the table gives us allies for the meeting. We'll have almost all the NATO countries represented without none of the NATO stigma. The old cold warrior in me doesn't like the idea of being too reliant on China and Russia for anything. Especially with something as monumental as this."