This
year we
saw the first
German
military presence
(always
in the context of NATO) in a former Baltic Soviet republic since
WWII: “German
tanks and troops began arriving in Lithuania on Tuesday, the first
entry of the German military into the former Baltic Soviet republic
since its occupation by the Nazis during the Second World War. The
German deployment is to include 450 troops and some 200 vehicles,
including 30 tanks. In all, the NATO alliance has committed to moving
four battalions, roughly 3,000 to 4,000 troops, to within striking
distance of Russia in northeastern Europe as part of a permanent
“rotating” deployment.”
Also,
early
this year
“German
Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned European Union leaders they
cannot rely on the "eternal guarantee" of US support, as
concerns continue to grow about incoming President Donald Trump's
commitment to trans-Atlantic ties. Speaking to the press in Brussels
as she received an honorary joint doctorate from Ghent and Louvain
universities, Merkel said "traditional partners" could no
longer be relied upon to "closely cooperate" with Europe on
issues such as defense.”
The
decline of the US-German relations has been exposed initially with
the NSA
interceptions scandal,
yet, progressively, the big picture came on surface, revealing a
transatlantic
economic war
between
banking and corporate giants.
Merkel's
statements could be considered an official declaration of Germany's
deeper desire to become an autonomous power that will dominate in the
European continent. It is obvious that Germany (i.e., German
capital), will seek to take advantage both from Brexit and the Trump
presidency.
Merkel
knows that the economic domination is not adequate for a country to
become a major power. It is also important to have a strong military
presence in its “sphere of influence”, or, its financial/debt
colonies, if you prefer. The German military presence in Lithuania is
a first step towards this direction as the Baltic countries have
already become German "satellites" in the economic field.
It seems
that Germany moves forward to this next big step. RT
reports:
The EU
has moved a step closer towards having a joint military force by
signing an agreement on a permanent command structure.
The
agreement on PESCO, or Permanent Structured Cooperation, was signed
in Brussels by 23 members of the 28-strong European Union on Monday.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini supported the move,
hailing it as an “historic moment.” Backed by a €5-billion
($6.5-billion) EU defense fund, PESCO “will enable member states
to use the economy of scale of Europe and in this manner to fulfil
the gap of output that we have.”
The
agreement will come into force in December, after which members will
be legally bound to participate in projects under PESCO. Work on the
pact started last year amid uncertainty over the UK’s decision to
withdraw from the European Union, and US President Donald Trump’s
continued criticism of European NATO members for failing to deliver
on defense-spending commitments.
European
heavyweights Germany and France are leading the effort to bring the
EU closer to having a permanent joint armed force. The UK, which has
been opposing a pan-European military force for decades, is not part
of the agreement. Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, and Malta opted out;
while Austria, not a member of NATO, agreed to join at the last
moment.
[...]
According
to Reuters, Germany and France were in disagreement over the future
role for a joint European military force, with Paris advocating for a
more exclusive and capable defense club with potential for overseas
deployments. Berlin, which championed a more inclusive approach,
apparently prevailed with its vision.
Under
today's multi-polar and quite complex/unstable global geopolitical
environment, where even the biggest powers seek alliances to prevail,
it is certain that Germany does not have the specific weight to build
its own 'empire' alone. The absolute commitment of its European
partners is vital.
While
Greece was the major victim of an economic war, the German capital
used its economic power and control of the European Central Bank to
impose unprecedented austerity, sado-monetarism and neoliberal
destruction through silent financial coups in Ireland,
Italy
and Cyprus.
The next
step is to build its own army to secure its economic conquests in the
European debt colonies. The French will follow. The next big question
is: will the refreshed Anglo-American axis accept losing the
extremely critical European sphere of influence?
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