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#Post#: 30291--------------------------------------------------
Re: EU
By: GermanyReady Date: May 29, 2025, 11:50 pm
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Germany is finally ready to face Putin
[quote]Three years, three months and two days ago, Olaf Scholz
declared that Germany would undergo a historic “Zeitenwende” –
or “changing of the times”, pivoting its attitude towards Russia
and its own defence and security. Scholz flopped on his promise,
but it seems that Germany’s new chancellor Friedrich Merz is
determined to deliver where his predecessor failed and finally
square up to Russia.
For the first time, Merz hosted Ukrainian president Volodymyr
Zelensky in Berlin yesterday. Building on their meeting
alongside other European leaders earlier in the month, Merz
announced a new €5 billion (£4.2 billion) aid package for
Ukraine.
The chancellor agreed to finance a portion of Ukraine’s Starlink
satellite coverage, so crucial for secure communication by
Kyiv’s troops along the front line, and provide additional
materiel and logistical support. Germany would also support
Ukraine in other ways, including new sanctions on Russia and
making sure the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would “never be used
again”.
The star item of Merz’s package, however, was a commitment that
Germany will finance the production of long-range missiles on
Ukrainian soil. Berlin will invest directly into the Ukrainian
arms industry, providing a much-needed boost to the country’s
industry to help its ability to supply itself with weapons
quickly, rather than simply waiting for western donations.
Announcing the joint missile development project, Merz added
pointedly: “There will be no range restrictions, allowing
Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets
outside its own territory.” In other words, Berlin won’t stand
in the way of Zelensky wanting to use these weapons – which will
most likely have a range of over 150 miles – to strike deep into
Russian territory. According to the German ministry of defence,
they will start to filter through to the front line in a matter
of weeks.
Merz’s new package for Ukraine came two days after the
chancellor sparked a great deal of confusion by declaring that
there were “no longer any restrictions on weapons delivered to
Ukraine”. Thanks to Scholz’s reticence about triggering an
escalation in the conflict with Russia, Germany had never
donated long-range missiles to Ukraine, so it was unclear why
Berlin would have a say over how those which had been used.
Tellingly, on Monday he added: “A country that can only counter
an aggressor on its own territory is not adequately defending
itself.” Now, in light of yesterday’s announcement, this makes a
lot more sense.
It is clear that Merz is more comfortable than Scholz with
taking a more confrontational line with Putin. In the first week
of his chancellorship, he issued an order for the defence
ministry to stop publishing lists of the weapons being sent to
Ukraine to avoid giving the Kremlin an insight into Kyiv’s
arsenal. This policy of “strategic ambiguity” for Ukraine
suggests Merz wants to make good on his promise to make Germany
a European bulwark against Russia.
Thanks to his tough talk on defence for Ukraine, there is now,
however, one promise that Merz is under pressure to keep: giving
Kyiv Taurus missiles. With a range of 300 miles, they would, in
theory, allow Ukrainian troops to strike as far as Moscow. Just
last month, Merz reaffirmed his pledge to do just this – but
only “in agreement with European partners”.
Germany has already, for many years, been Ukraine’s largest
European aid donor. But, to engineer a fair end to the war for
Ukraine, and defend the continent’s security interests, it is
now up to Merz to shed the nerves of Berlin’s previous
administration and stand strong against Russia.[/quote]
HTML https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/germany-is-finally-ready-to-face-putin/ar-AA1FI8Fu?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=be016c0744924f38bacd404cc2dd8077&ei=15
#Post#: 30322--------------------------------------------------
Re: EU
By: Evacuated Date: May 31, 2025, 10:39 pm
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UK identifies Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat in
new defense review, the Guardian reports
[quote]The United Kingdom has labeled Russia as an "immediate
and pressing" threat in a major strategic defense review set to
be published Monday, the Guardian reported on May 31
The 130-page review, prepared by a panel of senior advisers
including former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, will
reportedly highlight the "immediate and pressing" danger posed
by Russia, drawing on lessons from its full-scale invasion of
Ukraine.[/quote]
Entire article:
HTML https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/uk-identifies-russia-as-an-immediate-and-pressing-threat-in-new-defense-review-the-guardian-reports/ar-AA1FPO6m?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=e27b37de8a004cf8877bff8cf2d01110&ei=50
#Post#: 31073--------------------------------------------------
Re: Atlantic Alliance Drifting Apart?
By: 90sRetroFan Date: September 29, 2025, 8:21 pm
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HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjXwz4VGdR0
#Post#: 31129--------------------------------------------------
Re: Atlantic Alliance Drifting Apart?
By: 90sRetroFan Date: October 5, 2025, 6:27 pm
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HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC9cYztK69E
#Post#: 31378--------------------------------------------------
Re: American Empire Collapse: It's About To Get Much Worse(?)
By: SodaPop Date: November 15, 2025, 1:41 pm
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UK Cuts off Intel to U.S. - Do we Trust America Anymore?!
[quote]2025-11-15 | Silicon Wafers 056 | DAILY UPDATES | We
follow the full spectrum of stories today, from Ukraine’s legal
and righteous fight to eject the invader and gain dominance of
the Black Sea, to the unfolding illegality in the Caribbean, and
examine whether war is becoming a likely option for an embattled
US president, to deflect and distract from his domestic woes and
scandals. In this episode we range from Odesa to Caracas, from
Kyiv to Washington, and investigate the startling withdrawal of
some intelligence support by the British for the US, once
considered an staunch ally, fearing they’d become implicated in
illegal and arbitrary acts of murder in the Caribbean as Trump’s
war against so-called traffickers and gangs ramps up in
international waters.
Today’s episode is about three converging storms:
1. The UK has quietly paused some intelligence sharing with the
United States over lethal “drug boat” strikes near Venezuela.
2. Moscow is talking about parking its new Oreshnik hypersonic
missiles in Venezuela – “Americans may be in for surprises,” as
one Russian lawmaker put it.
3. And in Washington, the Epstein files scandal is detonating
around Donald Trump – raising the grim question: would a
weakened president start a foreign war as a distraction?
All this loops back to Ukraine, Russia, and – lurking in the
background – China.[/quote]
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-_KejYgrpE
Imagine having to start a war to deflect from the fact that
you're a grapist and an imbecile par-excellence!? Even Epstein
thought Trump was an absolute moron for crying out loud! ;D
#Post#: 31397--------------------------------------------------
Re: EU
By: SodaPop Date: November 17, 2025, 2:02 pm
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Conscription comeback: What's in the deal that affects Germany’s
18-year-olds | Berlin Briefing
[quote]It’s a deal: Germany’s coalition has agreed to restart
voluntary military conscription from January 2026. But the law
was negotiated without youth input, Quentin Gärtner from
Germany’s school pupils' association criticizes. The new model
includes a path to mandatory mustering: every male born after 1
January 2008 will soon have to respond to a government
questionnaire at age 18. Military service will be voluntary for
now. But will it attract more young recruits in big numbers? And
is it fair? DW's Berlin Briefing hosts Michaela Küfner and Nina
Haase speak to Marcel Bohnert, deputy head of the Bundeswehr
Association, who warns that Germany needs more soldiers to face
the growing threat from Russia and explains why Germany still
struggles to find its footing on defense.
CHAPTERS:
00:00:00 - 00:01:39 - Introduction: Germany’s return to
conscription
00:01:40 - 00:04:56 - mustering up
00:04:57 - 00:06:42 - scaling up
00:06:43 - 00:11:38 - voices from the next generation
00:11:39 - 00:12:37 - voluntary vs. mandatory service
00:12:38 - 00:15:55 - “you need us” young
00:15:56 - 00:19:24 - defense homework
00:19:25 - 00:22:08 - preparing for emergencies
00:22:09 - 00:24:18 - societal divide between genders?
00:24:19 - 00:27:14 - intergenerational justice
00:27:15 - 00:32:43 - 260,000 by 2035?
00:32:44 - 00:34:18 - lessons from the Scandinavian model
00:34:19 - 00:39:38 - final reflections & outlook[/quote]
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPJTABjTv-k
#Post#: 31407--------------------------------------------------
Re: EU
By: PotatoChip Date: November 19, 2025, 7:46 pm
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UK says 'Military Options Ready' as Russian Ship Uses Lasers
Against RAF Pilots | Dawn News English
[quote]British defence minister John Healey said on Wednesday
(November 19) that "military options" are ready should the
Russian spy ship Yantar become a threat, after the vessel
directed lasers at British pilots sent to monitor it.[/quote]
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iwYo6EvSTk
#Post#: 31451--------------------------------------------------
Re: Atlantic Alliance Drifting Apart?
By: SodaPop Date: November 24, 2025, 4:59 pm
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Germany's Chancellor sends strong 7-word message to Trump as EU
and US risk split
[quote]In a Sunday interview, Germany’s Chancellor revealed he
directed a message of support for Ukraine’s sovereignty to
President Donald Trump.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended the interview with German TV
news network DW after the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Merz said Europe had been aware of the 28-point Ukraine peace
proposal and confirmed that he had spoken with Trump on Friday
via phone call before traveling to South Africa. It comes after
Trump launched an extraordinary attack on a major EU nation.
Merz said he told Trump that Germany is “fully in line with
Ukraine, that the sovereignty of this country must not be
jeopardized."
Merz added that in the phone call, he told Trump that he could
agree on some parts of the U.S.’s 28-point draft plan, but that
other points could not be agreed upon.
Merz described the war in Ukraine as a threat to all of Europe,
destabilizing the continent for almost four years.
“It’s a threat for all of us. We are seeing severe attacks on
our infrastructure, we are seeing severe attacks on our
cybersecurity. So this is a serious threat to the entire
political order of the European continent, and that’s the reason
why we are so engaged, and that’s the reason why we are trying
to bring this terrible war to an end."
Merz has repeatedly warned that he does not believe a deal can
be reached by President Trump's Thursday deadline. Additionally,
Merz has also indicated his own proposal regarding a peace
agreement.
"I think that it’s not achievable to have all 28 points agreed
upon by Thursday,” Merz said.
"We are trying to figure out which part of this plan could be
achieved unanimously between the Europeans, the Americans, and
Ukraine on the one side, and the Russians on the other side.
This is something we are trying to figure out, which is
extremely complicated. But we have to move forward, and we have
to come to an end of this terrible war," Merz said.
On Saturday, Trump had told reporters that his peace plan was
not his final offer to Ukraine.
"No, not my final offer," Trump had told reporters outside the
White House before heading to Joint Base Andrews.
On Sunday, U.S. and Ukrainian delegations convened in Geneva to
discuss peace talks, deemed “constructive, focused, and
respectful,” according to a joint statement.
Furthermore, the two countries said the talks in Geneva
“reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully uphold
Ukraine’s sovereignty and deliver a sustainable and just peace”.
On Monday, the U.S. and Ukraine announced an updated peace plan,
which has yet to be published, following criticism of the first
28-point draft plan, which European leaders said was heavily
weighted in Russia’s favor.[/quote]
HTML https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/germany-s-chancellor-sends-strong-7-word-message-to-trump-as-eu-and-us-risk-split/ar-AA1R3DPR?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=cbb193d93d59423dcd7739f89b03a139&ei=14
#Post#: 31557--------------------------------------------------
Re: Atlantic Alliance Drifting Apart?
By: SodaPop Date: December 5, 2025, 6:39 pm
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Trump administration accuses Europe of "attack on all" Americans
[quote]Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday denounced the
European Commission’s $140 million fine against Elon Musk‘s
social media platform X, calling it an attack on American tech
companies and “the American people.”
Rubio wrote on X, “The European Commission’s $140 million fine
isn’t just an attack on @X, it’s an attack on all American tech
platforms and the American people by foreign governments. The
days of censoring Americans online are over.”
The Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, said it was
fining X for three violations of the Digital Services Act’s
transparency rules.
Newsweek reached out to X via email for comment on
Friday...[/quote]
Entire article:
HTML https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/trump-administration-accuses-europe-of-attack-on-all-americans/ar-AA1RNoQs?ocid=winp2fptaskbar&cvid=69333ebfea6040f2b0bcfb12d15db711&ei=19
Trump turns his back on Europe – formally, in writing | Face to
Face
[quote]President Trump’s new National Security Strategy lands
with a jolt in Europe.
NATO enlargement is off the table, the EU is blamed for holding
the continent back, and Washington shifts its focus away from
Europe altogether.
Russia barely appears in the document. China dominates. And
Trump openly signals support for nationalist forces inside the
EU.
We look at what this means for Europe’s security, Ukraine’s war
effort, and NATO’s role in the years ahead. We also examine the
tense fight over frozen Russian assets, Belgium’s hesitation,
and Washington’s behind-the-scenes pressure.
Join Diana Skaya and Michał Broniatowski, TVP World's
editor-in-chief, for this week's Face to Face.
Chapters:
[00:12] Trump’s new strategy lands in Europe
[03:01] Peace on America’s terms
[04:26] Europe praised – and undermined
[07:00] Russia barely mentioned
[08:31] Brussels under fire
[10:38] Ukraine’s make-or-break moment
[14:51] The legal twist: Article 122
[17:23] U.S. lobbying against Europe’s plan
[19:04] Four years of this ahead[/quote]
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Kmru-xVjU
#Post#: 31558--------------------------------------------------
Re: EU
By: SodaPop Date: December 5, 2025, 6:42 pm
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Is This a Declaration of War by Trump Against Institutions of
the European Union?
[quote]2025-12-05 | DAILY UPDATES #071 | Tonight, Washington has
done something that every Kremlin propagandist and every
European far-right influencer could only dream of.
The White House has released a new National Security Strategy of
the United States of America – the big, legally mandated
blueprint that says: “Here is how America sees the world. Here
is who we stand with. Here is who we stand against.” And it’s
not good news for Europe. [/quote]
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9qXsWlkoL4
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