Posted on 02/21/2017 6:25:55 AM PST by Olog-hai
The future of NATO and trans-Atlantic relations will be at the top of the agenda at the Munich Security Conference, which begins on Friday. British political scientist Anthony Glees says that Germany must become a muscular democracy and take the lead in Europe. [ ]
The largest weight is now on Germanys shoulders. Chancellor Merkel must continue to convince people of the EUs importance; she must spearhead the effort to redefine the EU. In order to do this, Germany must become a muscular democracy. It needs to shoulder far more responsibility for the physical security of Europe, especially Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. So far, unfortunately, Germany has taken the lead in disrespecting Europes borders by opening its doors to more than a million refugees and migrants. [ ]
The pacifist streak in German politics is a problem. But Greens and Social Democrats have to ask themselves: In an imperfect world, what do they prefer? The rise of the right or the success of the European project? [ ]
German dominance in the EU is a fact of life. But for historical reasons, it would be the last country to be swept away by a populist wave. And one thing is certain: If Germany goes down, Europe goes down, and with it all the values which we thought are worth living for. Germany has to be the champion of these values.
(Excerpt) Read more at spiegel.de ...
The last thing you want is for Germany to rise back up again. They’re already openly antagonistic towards the USA, even going so far as to call the USA their enemy of late; give them a European Union military and they will use it in an offensive rather than defensive manner.
As I understand things, the calls to “step up” have to do with the framework of the USA continuing to be the great power; not them instead of us.
Good point.
And that's what German haters fear the most !
It was ignorant and ahistorical for Donald Trump to say that the EU will dissolve. He is a man of very little historical understanding.
That translates to "his historical understanding is different from mine." It isn't the sort of a thing an intelligent commentator would say. And this:
Trump also has no idea that for 70 years, it has been U.S. policy to support those who want to unite Europe. It is very dangerous that he is turning his back on Europe now.
That is a very shallow description of U.S. policy. The preference for unification over that 70 years of policy has favored European solidarity in the face of an exogenous threat, the Soviet Union, and whether Putin may be properly characterized as a "bully" is irrelevant. The undeniable fact is that conditions have changed very much since 1989, and so, one would hope, would policy.
However, that principal is very much still in effect although it may not be apparent to Professor Glees: what characterizes Trump's take on it is the appreciation that an exogenous threat in the form of Islamic expansionism now exists that European leadership stubbornly refuses to recognize, and that the U.S. is being tasked for paying for a remedy that European leadership insists is neither welcome nor needed. There is a description other than "pacifism" for that, it's blindness and stupidity.
Nor is this a case of turning anyone's back on Europe unless that serves to shake the lotus eaters out of their trance. The truth is that Trump and the Brexiteers are Europe's best friends at the moment. "Recognize the threat or go under" is not a rejection, it's an admonition.
Nothing to do with “Germany haters”. What that country’s elites have done within the EU framework is already on record, as is their brazen antipathy towards the USA (not just Trump; and now I have to question whether or not you think Trump is a “Germany hater”).
BTW, is it the stance of a “Germany hater” to want to see the end of the social market economy?
And that's what German haters fear the most !
I stand by my statement!
Nothing to do with Germany haters. What that countrys elites have done within the EU framework is already on record, as is their brazen antipathy towards the USA (not just Trump; and now I have to question whether or not you think Trump is a Germany hater).
BTW, is it the stance of a Germany hater to want to see the end of the social market economy?
Nice redirection, your comment that I responded to was about keeping a boot on the neck of Germans/Germany and how dare Germans assume they matter in world politics.
Would you call it a “redirection” because you do not wish to address it? The free market versus the social market; you do not want to announce your allegiance directly, and that makes you look like you’re against the free market.
Nobody has put a boot on the Germans’ necks at any time since the end of WWII. The Marshall Plan was incredibly generous and magnanimous, and what does the USA get in return but more attacks on it by socialists. And Trump is right to call that out.
No you answer for your comment " The last thing you want is for Germany to rise back up again. "
You fight like a liberal girl from California.
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