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

The post Emmanuel Macron’s EU army plans dealt huge blow – ‘Countries are concerned’ first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

So many things are taking place here and abroad it’s hard to know where to start or when to stop. A massive headline this week told of Angela Merkel reneging on her pledge to our President to pay a percentage (2 % of GDP) toward NATO defense. You probably heard the howls of the President’s critics, saying that questioning the ongoing merit of NATO is proof that he’s mentally unstable. The Europeans mostly all pledged to increase the amount they contribute toward their military defense under NATO, which operates largely at the expense of American taxpayers. Europe better hope that Germany’s betrayal doesn’t catch on, or they may need that European army after all!

In better news, the President made good on a promise he made in a recent speech. Public universities will either allow FREE SPEECH (guaranteed by the 1st Amendment) on their campuses or they will be denied the lavish federal funding they currently enjoy. This should be fun. President Trump also recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the area known as the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Netanyahu was near tears of joy with gratitude over this long-promised, belated recognition. Syria has vowed to recover the Golan Heights. We can hardly wait.

The new monthly letter has gone to print, and covers some of what might have been in today’s Update. There is a description of where things stand regarding Britain’s longstanding attempt to break free of the European Union. The EU hates the idea of a British exit, and has done everything imaginable to make it difficult and impractical. Prime Minister Theresa May apparently intends to bring the rejected formula back to Parliament for a third time, if she thinks she can get it through. One of the authors we’ve published in TCW (Ted Malloch) called it “Unconditional Surrender” to the EU.

For those who think the Supreme Court is bullet proof, consider this development. The highest court has refused to hear an appeal by a bed and breakfast owner sued for denying a lesbian “couple” accommodations clear back in 2007. There will be punitive financial repercussions. Hawaii has some state law banning “discrimination” on the basis of all manner of nonsense. I remember signs that read, “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time for any reason.” The owner of the B&B also won’t rent to unmarried couples, so go figure.

There’s probably another million things to discuss, but we thought we’d share the contents of interesting calls to our office this week. One was from a man who said he was a Catholic Bishop. He’d requested our materials on the “trinity,” and called to say that we are absolutely right on the subject. The whole of the mainstream “Christian” world is deceived on this subject, but this guy said that he’d studied our materials and the Bible and came to the right conclusion.

We got another call from a man who’d just received our most recent issue of 21st Century WATCH. He called to say he loved it, and hadn’t seen any publication that tackled the subject matter we take on.  He can’t wait for the next one, so we’ll send him some back issues in the meantime. We’re now getting close to the Spring Holy Days. In Stan Roberts’ absence last week, we used the sermon by my Dad entitled A Footwashing Attitude. We sent it out, with the current Update for some of the congregations to see this Sabbath. We appreciated it immensely, and think you will too. It will make for a meaningful and enjoyable Sabbath. Have a great one,
 
Mark

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

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – 22 March 2019 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Seven years after Germany scrapped conscription, its defence chief has said employing EU citizens is “an option” to fill expert posts.

Army general inspector Eberhard Zorn said the forces had to “look in all directions in times of a lack of qualified personnel”, such as doctors and IT specialists.

The armed forces have been beset by years of under-investment.

Germany aims to increase its military by 21,000 personnel by 2025.

It has also pledged to raise its defence budget from 1.2% to to 1.5% of its gross domestic product by 2024, in the face of criticism from President Donald Trump that it does not meet the Nato target of 2% of GDP.

Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said in an interview on Thursday that 182,000 uniformed soldiers were now employed by the army, a rise of 6,500 in two years. Within seven years, that should reach 203,000.

She said the army was now made up of 12% women and this year alone one in three people applying to be an officer was a woman.

What does the defence chief propose?

Gen Zorn told the Funke newspaper group that “of course the Bundeswehr needs personnel” and the army had to “push hard for a suitable new generation”, although EU citizens in uniform were “an option” to be examined only in specialist fields.

The media group said the government had already consulted EU partners and that most had reacted cautiously, particularly in Eastern Europe.

• ‘Big gaps’ in German army, report says
• Germany: Reluctant military giant?
• Reality Check: Which countries have military service?

Under post-World War Two laws, soldiers in the German military have to be German.

Parliament’s commissioner for the armed forces, Hans-Peter Bartels, said recruiting EU citizens was already a “kind of normality” as many soldiers already had dual nationality or an immigrant background.

According to the Funke group, more than 900 foreign citizens are already employed by the military in civilian roles.

Last month the UK said more foreign nationals would be able to join its armed forces without having lived in the country in a bid to meet a shortfall of 8,200 soldiers, sailors and air personnel.

How unprepared is the German army?

Germany aims to have 70% of its fighting capacity ready for combat at any time, but recent reports show it is falling short:

• Only about a third of 97 newly manufactured tanks, fighter jets and helicopters was combat-ready, Die Zeit reported in October (in German)
• No submarines or large transport planes were available for deployment at the end of last year, a military report said in February
• The same report said existing fighter planes, tanks, helicopters and ships were in “dramatically bad” condition
• About 21,000 officer posts remained unfilled, Deutsche Welle reported

How did shortages hit Merkel’s G20 trip?

The spotlight fell on military shortages late last month when Chancellor Angela Merkel had to fly to the G20 summit in Argentina by passenger plane because of a technical failure involving one of the military’s two long-haul planes.

Ms Von der Leyen said one or two new long-haul planes would be bought, as the two existing planes aged 18 and 19 were too few.

• Merkel’s nightmare journey to the G20

The technical failure involving Mrs Merkel’s government plane has been blamed on German airline Lufthansa, according to a report in Der Spiegel.

When the pilots tried to reboot the A340’s electronics during an in-flight power failure they were unable to restart the radio.

According to a confidential report cited by Spiegel, the pilots had not been informed of new instructions to restart the radio after Lufthansa’s technical subsidiary installed a digital communications system in 2009.

Why is the military underfunded?

For such a big country it may appear strange to have a relatively ill-equipped army.

But after reunification the Bundeswehr gradually shrank in size from 486,000 in 1990 to 168,000 in 2015.

There was no perceived military threat after the Cold War and cuts to defence spending continued until 2014.

German forces played key but limited Nato roles in Kosovo and Afghanistan, but that was before two key developments: a resurgent Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and so-called Islamic State seized territory in Syria in 2013.

The culture of underfunding changed and last month an opinion poll suggested 43% of Germans agreed on the need for greater defence spending, up from 32% in 2017.

How big should Germany’s army be?

The defence minister says that all depends on the security situation.

Germany pledged hundreds of troops for a Nato presence in the Baltics and Poland this year, but it faces other threats too.

A month ago the army was targeted by cyber-attackers, possibly emanating from Russia, and some of the new spending will go on cyber security.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46692176

The post German army ‘could recruit EU citizens’ 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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