Angela Merkel: Europe must take ‘our fate’ into own hands

http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-europe-cdu-must-take-its-fate-into-its-own-hands-elections-2017/

by elsombrero • 9 years ago

53 25 9 years ago

politico.eu

hammock• 9 years ago

Self-reliance? Fight for our own future and destiny? Europe First? Sounds vaguely familiar.

ragix• 9 years ago

I feel for Germany. If they say they don't want immigrants they're nazi's. If they let them in they're push overs.

ruleabidinguser2• 9 years ago

You shouldn't. If people are being frivilous, let them know, and if they continue, leave them. If Germany can't do this, not only should you not feel sorry for them, you should not afford them any respect.

cromwellian3• 9 years ago

Sounds to me like she's just saying Europe can no longer rely on the US (e.g. NATO), and because of the unpredictable nature of US domestic politics at this point, they need to plan as if Europe may not have reliable US backing.

Trump may very well get his wish to see some of the less rich NATO members spend more money on defense, but it may come at the cost of US leadership.

dogma11382• 9 years ago

Well if Europe have been keeping at least the minimum required commitments it agreed to as far as NATO goes this wouldn't be an issue.

Trump's remarks are not new these are the same remarks that have been thrown around since Busb senior was in office.

Heck Under Obama Sec Def Gates used much harsher words than Trump.

alacombe5• 9 years ago

The real question is: why should it be otherwise, and why is this newsworthy at all ?

European countries all claim to be sovereign countries, but surprisingly, not when it's time to pull the credit card out.

pikzen• 9 years ago

Because for years, the US enjoyed having NATO as a power projection tool, made mostly for them, is now complaining that the countries willingly letting them set up military bases inside their borders are not paying enough? (Even though it is a target for the future and not right now.)

Because the US just decided that the most important environmental agreement of our generation isn't worth sacrificing _coal_ jobs?

Indeed, it's not surprising. We could have collaboration. Turns out, as usual, the US is fucking up. It's okay, we'll live.

alacombe5• 9 years ago

Mentioning the Paris "agreement" in a thread about NATO is a red herring. Moreover, the "collaboration" you mention implies that everybody is contributing fairly, which is not what is happening with NATO (or even the UN) right now.

jpfr3• 9 years ago

Assume European countries were all spending 2% of GDP for military capabilities within NATO. What exactly would that buy them?

More military interventions with more refugees arriving at European borders?

There is basically no real threat to European countries atm. Russia is heckling a bit in Ukraine. Supplying Kalashnikovs to separatists and such. But in general, Russia is retreating. With Montenegro joining NATO and things going bad in Syria, Russia is losing access to the Mediterranean sea. And they run out of money quickly!

If things go wrong, special forces (a few hundred men) and French atomic missiles pose enough of a threat for rogue dictators. The large countries can't afford a war, because economic ties are too strong.

Military spending in Europe is exactly where it needs to be. Low. Humanitarian help throughout the world and keeping the inner stability of society (social security, health-care, retirement, ...) gives a lot more bang for the buck. (pun intended)

alacombe5• 9 years ago

Perfect, then they don't need US' $$ (or NATO) either, so... everybody's happy ?

dgudkov• 9 years ago

here is basically no real threat to European countries atm.

The key word here is atm (at this moment, I guess). The problem with military capabilities is that they can't ramp up quickly -- it takes years. Relying on what's needed atm is shortsightedness at very least. Many countries in history paid a very painful price for it, or even ceased to exist. A very recent example is Ukraine. It had exactly the same attitude -- "we don't have enemies atm, why bother". Until suddenly it had.

wuschel• 9 years ago

For context:

Please take note that general elections (for the "Bundestag") will be held in the end of September 2017. Everything that will be published now and in the next months by the German media may very well be part of a campaign scheme.

justusw• 9 years ago

Why is this article flagged?

majewsky2• 9 years ago

I'm under the impression that people are that fed up with politics these days that every politics article gets flagged.

Angela Merkel: Europe must take ‘our fate’ into own hands

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