The EU must have more troops and be prepared to use them across the globe, the bloc’s incoming foreign affairs chief has told the European Parliament.

Josep Borrell, who is nominated to be the EU’s next chief diplomat, said that Europe could not allow itself to become “irrelevant” on a world stage dominated by superpowers such as the US and China.

“We have the instruments to play power politics,” he said at a European Parliament hearing into his candidacy to head up the EU foreign affairs service, “The EU has to learn to use the language of power.”

“We should reinforce the EU’s international role and further our military capacity to act,” the 72-year-old Spanish socialist added.

“We should pool our national sovereignties together to multiply the power of individual member states,” Mr. Borrell said, “I am convinced that if we don’t act together Europe will become irrelevant.”

Mr. Borrell called for the numbers of EU troops that could be deployed to be raised to at least 55-60,000 from the current 35,000 worldwide.

“That’s impressive but we have to do more,” he said before pointing out the 60,000 target was first set in 1999 by EU leaders after the Balkan war.

Mr. Borrell said the EU had to speak with a unified “truly integrated” foreign policy voice on the world stage. He said the total defense spending in the EU was half the GDP of Belgium and more than in China and Russia.

But that spending did not translate into military capacity because it was fragmented among the EU member countries, Mr. Borrell said.

He backed EU plans for pooling defense research projects. Some critics have accused those plans of being a stepping stone towards a future EU Army.

Source: https://news.yahoo.com/incoming-eu-foreign-affairs-chief-153231029.html

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Emmanuel Macron has been one of the most outspoken proponents of a European Union-wide army to help the bloc stop relying on military support from the United States. But security expert Alexandre Vautravers has warned the French president his eagerness could actually backfire as smaller EU countries are growing “concerned” about the implications of such a project. Speaking to France 24, Mr. Vautravers said: “European countries, perhaps some of the smaller countries, are concerned with the fact that France – which has been an extremely interventionist country throughout the world – would be placed essentially at the helm of such a foreign policy of defense and security.

“There are many neutral countries within the European Union – how would this affect their constitution? Another problematic is nuclear weapons.”

At least five countries in the EU – namely Austria, Malta, Ireland, Finland, and Sweden – have repeatedly claimed they remain “militarily non-aligned” despite Brussels increasing efforts to establish a common military response force.

Mr Vautravers continued: “The previous initiative by President Macron has been to tie, link closer, the French with the German seat at the UN Security Council, or having the possibility to share it, and this was linked to the possibility of sharing strategic forces which means nuclear deterrence capabilities that are in the hands of France.

“That would technically constitute a violation of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.”

Macron has been warned his plans for a EU Army have sparked “concerns” (Image: FRANCE 24•GETTY)

Macron has long been calling for a united military front in Europe (Image: GETTY)

The security expert added: “A number of countries are very concerned because it’s not clear what this initiative is going to look like in one year’s time or five year’s time.”

Mr. Macron last year claimed the EU would not be “protected” until all European Union members states agreed to the need for a “real European army”.

Speaking to Europe 1 to defend his support for the EU Army project, the French President said in November: “I believe in a project of a sovereign Europe, a powerful Europe.

“We won’t protect Europeans if we don’t settle on having a real European Army.”

Macron had previously attempted to secure the support of Germany at the UN (Image: GETTY)

Despite the concern Mr. Vautravers highlighted, it has been suggested the Ursula von Der Leyen, currently, Germany’s Defence Minister and a top candidate to take over the European Commission leadership at the end of Jean-Claude Juncker‘s term, could turn out to be a powerful ally to Mr. Macron.

Brexit Party MEP Michael Heaver told podcast Brexbox: “I do think it’s significant the fact that she’s the German Defence Minister. I think that shows clearly, and we’ve heard it from Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel: a full EU army; that’s what they’re focusing on.

“And that’s, I think, why they’re trying to bring her in.”

Ms von der Leyen has expressed her support for strengthening military cooperation across the EU but also insisted a European force would not compete with NATO.

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Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1153562/Macron-European-Union-army-eu-military-defence-Ursula-von-der-Leyen-germany-latest

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Moscow no longer cares about “European integration or moving towards Europe” instead it is open to an allegiance with the world superpower, according to one leading expert. Tensions continue to rise between the world’s biggest economies following the ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing, alongside continued talk of a ‘European army’ which threatens to undermine NATO. Bruno Maçães a former Europe minister for Portugal told Politico that talks were already underway behind the scenes between Russia and China.

Mr Maçães said: “In the halls of the Kremlin these days, it’s all about China — and whether or not Moscow can convince Beijing to form an alliance against the West.”

He added: “Russia’s view of China has shifted significantly over the past five years.

“Moscow has abandoned any hope that the Chinese economy is an example it might emulate. Instead, foreign policy experts now talk of how Russia can use China to further its geopolitical goals.”

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We probably should have known that the bumbling Jean-Claude Junker was neither the brains nor the primary driver of European Union policy. No, the puppet master is Martin Selmayr, now Secretary General of the European Commission, formerly a German civil servant.   He is described as the most powerful and feared individual in Europe.   He’s played hardball with Britain, making an exit from the EU all but impossible, demanding 39 billion pounds as the price of withdrawal.

He’s described as fervently anti-American.   He’s dead serious about an EU army.   He was instrumental in the deal that handed Germany the leading role in the European Union. Even members of the European Parliament are fearful of this guy, and are afraid that he has taken over.

He intends to make of the EU the kind of supranational/globalist entity, the United States of Europe that sounds very much like the kind of power foretold in Bible prophecy.   He was the individual behind what has been called the German takeover of Europe and its institutions. His grandfathers on both sides were generals under Hitler.   No wonder Brexit hit a wall.

You don’t need to be told. The mainstream news media is not just biased, but involved in willful deception on a daily basis. They’ve bought in to the most radical posture imaginable, and that is that the United States must complete the transformation set in motion by the former president.   It means uninhibited immigration.   Obama himself is on record saying otherwise, as are nearly all the anti-ICE, anti-border patrol chorus, though they’ve changed their positions now that their masks have been discarded.

The State of the Union speech and reactions illustrate the great divide that exists, and a great deal more for those familiar with current controversies. One side cheered talk of limitations on abortion, the other sat expressionless.   The President finally got a positive reaction when he mentioned the progress of women and how many are now members of congress.   The white-robed contingent thought it would be in good taste to stand and raucously applaud in self-congratulation.   It may be that was the President’s method of getting them off their hands, and it worked.

Our domestic news is, as has been the case for two years and counting, just around the corner from impeachment, forced resignation or criminal prosecution. No stone will be left unturned, and the committees are on it with at least a dozen investigations that will dominate mainstream news unless or until the tables are turned.   We’re all hoping that Robert Barr (nominated for AG) is a man of honor and will see to it that we have only one set of laws that are applied equally and must be followed, even by the untouchables.

Anarchy remains in Venezuela, once the wealthiest nation in South America, reduced to poverty and starvation by socialism and corruption.   It may well not end peacefully, though we pray it does.   Maduro may want a war with his detractors.   The United States has endorsed his opponent Guiado, but Russia supports Maduro and purportedly has private contractors protecting him.

As the final disaster of socialism plays out to our South, the doctrines of socialism are being preached with great authority and emotion by people with bulging eyes and idiotic gesticulations.   They are the darlings of the media, and we’ll probably have to get off the grid to avoid the insanity of the Green Dream. No more traditional energy in ten years? Rebuild or retrofit ever building from coast to coast?   As Chris Plante said this morning, they want to turn our country into Gilligan’s Island.   Not a single luxury, just like Robinson Crusoe it’s primitive as can be, or lyrics you might remember.   Won’t it be glorious? Enjoy your Sabbath.   We need it now more than ever.

Mark

Source: http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/fridayupdates.php

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – 8 February 2019 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

We know who our friends are. Source: DPA

Donald Trump is making an intolerable show of himself in Europe. Not only has he cast doubt on America’s commitment to mutual defense under NATO; the US president has also unilaterally withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, plus Germany and the European Union.

Since then, the Trump administration has unilaterally imposed an embargo on goods deliveries to Iran from any third country, including the other signatories of the agreement. Foreign firms that continue to conduct business in Iran now face the threat of sanctions, and banks that process transactions risk losing access to the US financial system.

Meanwhile, the US has been threatening similar action with respect to the new Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that will run from Russia to Germany. Congress is considering legislation that allows the Trump administration to impose sanctions on European firms taking part in the project, even though these companies are contractually obliged to see the work through. And, according to Gerhard Schröder, a former German chancellor who now chairs the pipeline project, the US ambassador to Germany has been acting more like an “occupation officer” than like a diplomat.

All told, the Trump administration’s disruptive behavior has left the French and German governments furious. But, beyond fueling anger, Trump’s attacks on other countries’ sovereignty are adding momentum to a new push for European political unification.

Vassals? Not us

It is no secret that Europe is in the midst of an internal economic crisis — a result of the euro saddling southern euro-zone countries with high inflation prior to the 2008 financial crash, which severely reduced their competitiveness within the euro system. These problems have led to the emergence of Euroskeptic nationalist parties and movements across the continent. More recently, the European project has been weakened further by the United Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the EU.

Against this backdrop, Trump’s actions are actually something of a godsend, because they have forced Europeans to accept that they must stand together in defense of their sovereignty and prosperity. A union of almost 450 million people (after Brexit) cannot allow a country two-thirds its size to treat it like a group of vassal states.

Accordingly, both French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared this month that they support the need to create a joint European army. The best way to understand this effort, said German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen, is as an answer to Trump’s demand that Europeans spend more on defense.

Of course, von der Leyen knows that the formation of an independent European force isn’t really what the US president had in mind. But the German establishment credibly maintains that a European army is meant to supplement and strengthen NATO. The trans-Atlantic alliance will be no less necessary than it was before, nor will European citizens regard their American counterparts with any less sympathy and fellow feeling. The deep historical ties between the US and Europe remain unchanged; everybody knows there will be an America after Trump.

Political union to the fore

Better yet, Europe is once again pursuing political unification with vigor and a sense of collective purpose, and that is how it should be. The European project has long suffered from giving economic integration pride of place while pushing political unification to the backburner. Indeed, France, Italy, the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), and Germany had agreed to form a European army as early as 1952 under the Framework of the European Defense Community. But the French National Assembly never ratified that treaty, so it never entered into force.

Then came the Maastricht Treaty, which offered a second chance for a political union. Yet France stood in the way once again. The French supported membership of the euro, because they wanted the Mediterranean countries, including themselves, to be able to borrow at the same low rates as Germany on the capital markets. But they successfully resisted the creation of a political union, which is predicated on a central state with a joint army and monopoly on the use of military force.

If France is now serious about merging national armies into a joint defense force under a central EU command — rather than just an intervention force for its former African colonies — Macron could well secure his place in the history books. There is much work to be done. But if it happens, he will have Trump to thank.

Source: https://global.handelsblatt.com/opinion/europe-military-force-hans-werner-sinn-983056

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French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Europeans cannot be protected without a “true, European army”, as he marks the centenary of the World War One Armistice.

On a visit to the former Western Front in Verdun, he said Russia had shown it could be a threat and Europe had to be able “to defend itself better alone”.

Russia’s president will be among world leaders marking the Armistice in Paris.

Mr Macron has already proposed a joint intervention force for crisis missions.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed the idea of an intervention force in June, but said it would have to be part of “the structure of defence co-operation”.

The UK, while in favour of such a joint force, is opposed to a European army, because of the potential risk of creating a parallel structure to Nato.

• EU gives impetus to joint defence plan
• Nato’s painful homecoming
• US to leave nuclear treaty with Russia

President Macron has already warned that Europeans can no longer rely on the US to defend them, and he revived the theme on Tuesday, in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of a 1987 nuclear treaty with Russia, banning medium-range ground-launched missiles.

“We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America,” he told French radio station Europe 1.

“Who is the main victim? Europe and its security. I want to build a real security dialogue with Russia, which is a country I respect, a European country – but we must have a Europe that can defend itself on its own without relying only on the United States.”

Will there be a European army?

By Defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus

There is no evidence that any group of European countries has the political will or economic muscle to spend sufficiently on defence to make up for the United States’ raw power.

Indeed the deployment of troops “into harm’s way” remains the ultimate sovereign decision of a national government. There is no “Nato army” today – merely an alliance of national components trained and accustomed to operating together.

President Macron’s call for a greater European effort in defence derives from two sets of factors: his support for the greater European project on the one hand, but also horror at much that the Trump Administration is doing on the other, with its overturning of treaties and so on.

But could Europe really stand up to Russia alone? And what of the longer-term threat from China?

The US relationship may be problematic but it could be becoming more important than ever.

President Macron’s battlefield tour will take in the River Somme as well as Verdun.

‘Ultra-liberal Europe’

Last week he warned of the “leprosy” of nationalism spreading worldwide and declared that he had been struck by the similarities of current times and the period between World War One and World War Two.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May will join Mr Macron on Friday at the Somme while President Trump will join dozens of world leaders for Sunday’s ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

During his interview on Tuesday, Mr Macron warned that there was anger against a “too ultra-liberal Europe that no longer allows our middle classes a decent living”.

He spoke of Europe that was becoming increasingly fractured and singled out the UK’s vote to leave the EU as part of that disenchantment.

President Macron’s opponents have accused him of being out of touch with the everyday problems of French voters, and have called for a national protest against higher fuel taxes on France’s roads on 17 November.

The latest opinion poll ahead of May 2019 European Parliament elections suggests Mr Macron’s LREM party is trailing the far-right National Rally party for the first time.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46108633

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