As Russian aggression continues and Trump’s US threatens NATO, it is even more vital for a unified defence of the continent.
Timothy Garton Ash Professor of European Studies, University of Oxford
Timothy Garton Ash Professor of European Studies, University of Oxford
If not utterly condemning the Bundeswehr and highlighting positive things where they are is “simping” for you - yep, that’s me!
Yep, feel free to block me if you don’t want to see opinions conflicting with your own.
This is - at best - a half-truth. Germany is the biggest economy in Europe, it is only natural that it has to shoulder a big part of the European defence. Even with a massive rearmament to reduce the impact of the decreasing US military presence - which is happening all over Europe, mind you - Germany’s role is to be a part in a defensive alliance. If you see any ambition to conquer “Lebensraum” in the east, please feel free to share the evidence.
Na, I won’t block you, I have no trouble confronting your takes. Yes, you are simping, as you are actively trying to spin everything into a positive, even if you need to fall back to anecdotes. “Not utterly condemning” is the childish opposite position of what you are doing, but nobody asked you to do that.
NATO is not the same as Europe (yet). And just because it is happening, doesn’t mean it’s to be supported.
Me too, I believe what the advertisements on TV are telling me.
The leading part, ambitions formulated by the chancellor himself. Do you want to explain, what it is, that is actually being defended? Do you think the history of NATO interventions tells a defensive story?
I see that in Palestine, which Germany is heavily involved in, aligned with and supports on every level, even trying to build more weapons manufacturing of Israeli military industry on German soil (Elbit, Sangerhausen), as well as having a show trial for young activists, that damaged a bit of the genocider’s property (Ulm 5) – the right thing to do, as it’s to stop a genocide. Either way, it’s a sham trial, I suggest to closely follow the (non-mainstream) reporting.
I see it in the sanctioning of German journalists (Dogru), depriving them and their family (mother, wife, kids incl. newborn twins) everything that is needed in order to survive or defend themselves, only because the state didn’t like the effect the reported facts were having on their viewers and readers.
I see it in “Drecksarbeit” commentary and logistical support (Ramstein) in regards to the US/Israel war against Iran, a sovereign country. I see it in the support of the highly repressive state of Ukraine, that is kidnapping their own people in order to throw them into the meat grinder for NATO ambitions. A state that shelled their own population, because they were of Russian ethnicity (Donbas 2014).
I see it in failed car manufacturers shifting towards war product manufacturing, just like in the old times (VW Osnabrück)
The German state is directly involved in the deaths of Ukrainians, Russians, Iranians and Palestinians. But we’ve always had our trouble with Slavic, and since the war on terror with Arab people, wouldn’t you agree?
So, ideologically, morally, the German state is not that far off from that level. Are you asking to only act against injustices, once the army and camps are up and running? Hint: The camps are up and running, they’re at the European borders. And why would anyone support a war machine, anyway? Again, whose defence are we supposed to do that for? It’s surely not ours, as we will be thrown into the meat grinder, if push comes to shove.
But apart from that, just because NATO wants a war with Russia, doesn’t mean we’ll have to wait for Lebensraum fantasies being concocted in the open. Why do you only argue in extremes?
Honestly, thank you for this clarification of your standpoint. I think it is in the best interest of both our blood pressure and the discussion climate in this community if we disengage our communication at this point - as neither of us will be able to convince the other of our viewpoints.
In this spirit i wish you a nice day.
Sad, I thought you were ready to see opinions conflicting with your own, but now, the slightest push and you withdraw. Is that how it’s done in the military, too?
I accept your retreat, have a nice day, too!