Posted on 07/11/2016 12:44:48 AM PDT by Olog-hai
“Economic giant, political dwarf” — that is how the world long viewed post-World War II Germany, the European export power reluctant to use military muscle in global conflicts.
It is an image that Europe’s most populous country wants to shed as it gradually assumes a bigger defense role, within the frameworks of NATO and the European Union.
That ambition, the outcome of a debate that began two decades ago, is the message of Germany’s new military roadmap, the defense ministry’s so-called White Paper, to be released Wednesday. […]
The paper, the first of its kind issued in a decade, envisions a future defense union of European states — reviving a 1950s-era idea that was rejected by France at the time — as Europe is nervously eyeing Russia and digesting the shock of the Brexit vote. …
(Excerpt) Read more at thelocal.de ...
The German-Russian war had a clear outcome, no way the Germans want a rematch.
That’s why Merkel and others are currently talking up removal of sanctions on Russia and further rapprochement.
The 30th August1954 the European Defence Community (EDC) treaty - a supranational defence collaboration between what would beome the six founding nations of the EEC/EU - was brought before the French parliament:
“After a stormy debate, in which the supranational issue predominated, it was rejected by 319 votes to 264. Mendès-France’s government abstained. The triumphant majority burst into the Marseillaise. The EDC as dead. The idea of a Political Community soon faded into obscurity. Monnet and his supranationalism had suffered a resounding defeat.”
The Great Deception, Booker & North, 2d edition, 2005, p 82
If Germany or the EU bring this forward before the French presidential elections it almost guarantees a win for Mme LePen.
That was the era of de Gaulle. France has eschewed that particular spirit a long time after.
I think what the Germans are expecting....is that Trump wins in November....and some disagreement starts to occur with the US downsizing it’s NATO presence (more so in Germany than anywhere else). This EU Army idea though....will go nowhere. No one has the cash flow to pay for the Army, Navy and AF needed for the EU.
Turkey-Germany alliance at it again to dominate Europe ....against Russia
The Nazi-islamic alliance is an old stuff !
MERKEL GO HOME ! And don’t try to fool us about our TRUE todays ennemies
Ulysse from France
Merkel’s Fourth Reich.
I have always thought the E.U. Was a plot by Germany to control and economically overpower Europe
Sort of defeat them without firing a shot.
Well, Napoleon couldn’t do it, and then Hitler tried and couldn’t either.
But what about a combined France and Germany?
Will they give it a go? Perhaps think the third time’s a charm?
I scrolled thru the comments to see if the “Fourth” had been mentioned yet...and you had. The Fourth Reich is probably the First Thing most people think of.
I wonder who would play the part of Hitler? Merkel?
They’re already treating the UK as if they’re already out. And this “common defense” idea has been around for a very long time; it’ll just take another calculated “crisis” to get people to go for it.
I doubt France and Germany could do what only one World Power could do - and that is defeat Russia. Of course, Genghis Khan’s empire had many victories that will never be duplicated in history. Hitler and Napoleon were mere amateurs compared to Genghis.
Not strong or charismatic enough.
Well, that makes sense when you consider that they refuse to defend their own nation from Islamic invasion. How much help would they be to the rest of Europe in the event of a shooting war?
“First, we invade Poland.”
Napoleon and Hitler were both caused by the end of the Holy Roman Empire.
History doesn’t begin in 1789, or in 1806.
Iran could defeat them, as could Turkey.
Probably Poland too.
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