Showing posts with label Munich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Munich. Show all posts
Friday, February 27, 2026
The Moment the World Lost Trust in America
Friday, February 20, 2026
Is Graham Out of His Mind? Imperial US Is an Ally No More!
Feb 19, 2026 | Silicon Bites Ep288 | 2026-02-18 | All the evidence points to the U.S. no longer being an ally of Europe. But it’s not a neutral or indifferent stance. It’s actively malicious, meddling, malignant and intentionally destabilising. The evidence is all around, and yet Rubio still got a standing ovation at the MSC. Could there be any greater show of craven weakness and appeasement to an increasingly tyrannical, capricious and imperial U.S.?!
This episode: the Munich Meltdown and the “Kremlin Vassal” Tour, of Hungary and Slovakia: Graham’s unseemly tantrum, Rubio’s weasel words, and the Geneva so-called ‘peace conference’ squeeze on Ukraine. The U.S. is being unfair to Ukraine, and to everyone, except Vladimir Putin and his client states. Isn’t this clear to everyone yet?
This episode: the Munich Meltdown and the “Kremlin Vassal” Tour, of Hungary and Slovakia: Graham’s unseemly tantrum, Rubio’s weasel words, and the Geneva so-called ‘peace conference’ squeeze on Ukraine. The U.S. is being unfair to Ukraine, and to everyone, except Vladimir Putin and his client states. Isn’t this clear to everyone yet?
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Denmark PM Warns Trump on Greenland ‘Desire’
Monday, February 16, 2026
Friedrich Merz’s Powerful Full Speech at the Munich Security Council: Iran, UK, EU-US Relations & International Tensions
Zelenskyy Yet Again Launches Fiery Assault on 'Pro-Putin' Viktor Orbán at Munich Security Conference
'Can't Go Alone': Germany Defence Minister Fires Back At Rubio, Shows Mirror to Trump over Greenland
Three American Speeches at Munich, and Plenty of Confusion
THE NEW YORK TIMES: As the U.S. message veered from shared heritage and values to shared interests and back again, Europeans wondered what kind of alliance they were left with.
In the space of just a year, European leaders have heard three descriptions of how the Trump administration is reimagining the American relationship with its allies. Each strikes a bit of a different tone, but all are intended to push them into a new era in which Washington’s commitment to defend them faces new limits.
One was delivered by Vice President JD Vance last year, a blistering condemnation of European-style democracy, arguing that waves of immigrants and Europe’s restrictions on its own far-right parties pose a greater threat to the continent than Russia’s aggression.
The second was a far easier-to-swallow version of a similar message from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday. He described a hazy and sometimes idealized cultural history shared by Europe and the United States and argued that each faced “civilizational erasure” unless it figured out a way to control its borders.
Then, at the same conference, the most senior defense official to attend, Elbridge Colby, the under secretary of defense for policy, offered a classic American national-security message about shared interests, not values, recommending that both sides focus on “nuts and bolts kind of stuff.”
If the Europeans emerged a bit confused, it’s understandable. » | Steven Erlanger and David E. Sanger | Steven Erlanger and David E. Sanger write about American and European diplomacy and security. They reported from the Munich Security Conference. | Sunday, February 15, 2026
In the space of just a year, European leaders have heard three descriptions of how the Trump administration is reimagining the American relationship with its allies. Each strikes a bit of a different tone, but all are intended to push them into a new era in which Washington’s commitment to defend them faces new limits.
One was delivered by Vice President JD Vance last year, a blistering condemnation of European-style democracy, arguing that waves of immigrants and Europe’s restrictions on its own far-right parties pose a greater threat to the continent than Russia’s aggression.
The second was a far easier-to-swallow version of a similar message from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday. He described a hazy and sometimes idealized cultural history shared by Europe and the United States and argued that each faced “civilizational erasure” unless it figured out a way to control its borders.
Then, at the same conference, the most senior defense official to attend, Elbridge Colby, the under secretary of defense for policy, offered a classic American national-security message about shared interests, not values, recommending that both sides focus on “nuts and bolts kind of stuff.”
If the Europeans emerged a bit confused, it’s understandable. » | Steven Erlanger and David E. Sanger | Steven Erlanger and David E. Sanger write about American and European diplomacy and security. They reported from the Munich Security Conference. | Sunday, February 15, 2026
‘Who Needs Saving from Whom?’ Kaja Kallas Publicly Insults Marco Rubio over Europe-bashing Speech
My comment on Marco Rubio’s speech in Munich is here.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
'I Don't Like Him Because...': Hillary Clinton Absolutely Torches Trump at Munich Conference | World
Hillary Clinton's words are SOLID GOLD! As, indeed, are Radoslaw Sikorsky's. By the way, Ukrainians have been forced to fight not only for their own sovereignty, but they have been forced to fight and do the dirty work for the rest of Europe and the West, too. — © Mark Alexander
EU's Kallas Refutes US Portrayal of Europe in Decline at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2026 | DW News
Feb 15, 2026 | With transatlantic ties strained, Saturday's keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was highly-anticipated. He struck a conciliatory yet critical tone of Europe while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenksyy also took to the stage, calling Russian President Putin a "slave to war."
But the EU's foreign policy chief is pushing back against the US's portrayal of Europe in decline - a day after Washington's top diplomat criticized the bloc's immigration and climate policies. Kaja Kallas said Europe is "not facing civilizational erasure" and that "Europe bashing had become fashionable in certain political circles." But she added that the much-anticipated speech by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the conference "reassured" transatlantic ties.
But the EU's foreign policy chief is pushing back against the US's portrayal of Europe in decline - a day after Washington's top diplomat criticized the bloc's immigration and climate policies. Kaja Kallas said Europe is "not facing civilizational erasure" and that "Europe bashing had become fashionable in certain political circles." But she added that the much-anticipated speech by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the conference "reassured" transatlantic ties.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Full Speech: Marco Rubio Declares “Europe Must Survive” at Munich Security Conference
Feb 14, 2026 | US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers his full address at the Munich Security Conference, stressing Western unity, cultural ties with Europe, reindustrialization, and strategic renewal under President Donald Trump’s vision.
Rubio warns against borderless globalism, urges stronger allies, and calls for rebuilding industries, defence strength, and shared Western identity.
Rubio criticises deindustrialisation. But ask yourselves who were instrumental in bringing it about? It was the titans of industry who are, by and large, profit-maximising right-wingers and in the Eighties by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. They did their level best to deindustrialise by deregulating and by reducing subsidies to heavy industries. These measures accelerated the decline of traditional manufacturing. Corporations, of course, always looking to maximise their profits, were helped to maximise their profits by globalisation, so started relocating and outsourcing manufacturing to countries with a ready supply of cheap labour.
Reindustrialising our economies, as Rubio suggests, is a tall order indeed, unless, of course, our politicians want to get the workforce used to working in sweatshops! For that is the only way we’d be able to compete with the much lower production costs in Asia.
Marco Rubio’s speech is more important for what it doesn’t tell you than for what it did! To really understand his sometimes-sweet rhetoric, one must read between the lines. He talked of wanting a strong Europe. Poppycock! He and his boss don’t want a strong Europe at all; rather they want a weaker, more fragmented one. The concept of the European Union is anathema to Trump. After all, a weaker, more fragmented Europe gives Trump’s America far more leverage. It is much easier for Trump to push around a European nation state than it is to push around a strong, united European Union!
Basically, these autocracy-leaning fascists want Europe on their own terms. Ooh! And something else must also be read between the lines. There was no reference to it in Rubio’s speech, but I can assure you that it was there. They want to purge America and Europe of the influence of Islam.
If Trump and his acolytes are really so fond of Europe as Rubio tries to convince us, then why is he talking of invading the territory of a European nation: Denmark?
Judging by the applause Marco Rubio received at the end of his speech, it is clear that many in the audience were flattered by his fine words and were, as a result, seemingly taken in by them. Personally, I would caution against taking his words on face value. I suggest that one would be wiser to read between the lines.
After all, we are talking about a man, here, who was behind the invasion of Venezuela, and the man who is itching to bring about the collapse of communism in Cuba. Trump, his boss, has talked incessantly about the annexation of Greenland, if not indeed the invasion of the country. It is also on record that Trump has spoken multiple times of Europe being “weak” and “decaying”. He is also known to want the break-up of the European Union. So Rubio’s fine words buttered no parsnips for me, I’m afraid.
I would there therefore suggest that we Europeans exercise extreme caution in dealing with Trump’s America. In German, there is an apt saying. It is as follows: Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Weisheit.. That means ‘caution is the mother of wisdom’. And it most surely is. — © Mark Alexander
Rubio warns against borderless globalism, urges stronger allies, and calls for rebuilding industries, defence strength, and shared Western identity.
Rubio criticises deindustrialisation. But ask yourselves who were instrumental in bringing it about? It was the titans of industry who are, by and large, profit-maximising right-wingers and in the Eighties by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. They did their level best to deindustrialise by deregulating and by reducing subsidies to heavy industries. These measures accelerated the decline of traditional manufacturing. Corporations, of course, always looking to maximise their profits, were helped to maximise their profits by globalisation, so started relocating and outsourcing manufacturing to countries with a ready supply of cheap labour.
Reindustrialising our economies, as Rubio suggests, is a tall order indeed, unless, of course, our politicians want to get the workforce used to working in sweatshops! For that is the only way we’d be able to compete with the much lower production costs in Asia.
Marco Rubio’s speech is more important for what it doesn’t tell you than for what it did! To really understand his sometimes-sweet rhetoric, one must read between the lines. He talked of wanting a strong Europe. Poppycock! He and his boss don’t want a strong Europe at all; rather they want a weaker, more fragmented one. The concept of the European Union is anathema to Trump. After all, a weaker, more fragmented Europe gives Trump’s America far more leverage. It is much easier for Trump to push around a European nation state than it is to push around a strong, united European Union!
Basically, these autocracy-leaning fascists want Europe on their own terms. Ooh! And something else must also be read between the lines. There was no reference to it in Rubio’s speech, but I can assure you that it was there. They want to purge America and Europe of the influence of Islam.
If Trump and his acolytes are really so fond of Europe as Rubio tries to convince us, then why is he talking of invading the territory of a European nation: Denmark?
Judging by the applause Marco Rubio received at the end of his speech, it is clear that many in the audience were flattered by his fine words and were, as a result, seemingly taken in by them. Personally, I would caution against taking his words on face value. I suggest that one would be wiser to read between the lines.
After all, we are talking about a man, here, who was behind the invasion of Venezuela, and the man who is itching to bring about the collapse of communism in Cuba. Trump, his boss, has talked incessantly about the annexation of Greenland, if not indeed the invasion of the country. It is also on record that Trump has spoken multiple times of Europe being “weak” and “decaying”. He is also known to want the break-up of the European Union. So Rubio’s fine words buttered no parsnips for me, I’m afraid.
I would there therefore suggest that we Europeans exercise extreme caution in dealing with Trump’s America. In German, there is an apt saying. It is as follows: Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Weisheit.. That means ‘caution is the mother of wisdom’. And it most surely is. — © Mark Alexander
« Nous croyons que l’Europe peut survivre », lance Marco Rubio à Munich, un an après le virulent réquisitoire de JD Vance
LE FIGARO : Lors de la conférence sur la sécurité, le secrétaire d’État américain a affirmé ce samedi que les États-Unis « ne cherchaient pas à diviser, mais à revitaliser une vieille amitié et à renouveler la plus grande civilisation de l’histoire humaine ».
À Munich, 2026 s’annonce un peu plus doux que 2025. Un an après le virulent réquisitoire du vice-président américain JD Vance à la « conférence sur la sécurité » (MSC) qui se tient annuellement dans la ville allemande, c’est au tour, cette année, du chef de la diplomatie, Marco Rubio, de représenter les États-Unis. « Nous voulons que l’Europe soit forte, nous croyons que l’Europe peut survivre », a déclaré ce samedi 14 février le secrétaire d’État américain, ajoutant que « nous ne voulons pas que nos alliés soient faibles, car cela nous affaiblit. Nous voulons des alliés capables de se défendre afin qu’aucun adversaire ne soit jamais tenté de tester notre force collective.»
De même, le diplomate a eu des mots plus rassurants que ceux que Donald Trump a pu récemment prononcer à propos de l’Otan : « Nous ne cherchons pas à diviser, mais à revitaliser une vieille amitié et à renouveler la plus grande civilisation de l’histoire humaine. Ce que nous voulons, c’est une alliance revigorée ». » | Par Alexis Feertchak avec l’AFP | samedi 14 février 2026
À Munich, 2026 s’annonce un peu plus doux que 2025. Un an après le virulent réquisitoire du vice-président américain JD Vance à la « conférence sur la sécurité » (MSC) qui se tient annuellement dans la ville allemande, c’est au tour, cette année, du chef de la diplomatie, Marco Rubio, de représenter les États-Unis. « Nous voulons que l’Europe soit forte, nous croyons que l’Europe peut survivre », a déclaré ce samedi 14 février le secrétaire d’État américain, ajoutant que « nous ne voulons pas que nos alliés soient faibles, car cela nous affaiblit. Nous voulons des alliés capables de se défendre afin qu’aucun adversaire ne soit jamais tenté de tester notre force collective.»
De même, le diplomate a eu des mots plus rassurants que ceux que Donald Trump a pu récemment prononcer à propos de l’Otan : « Nous ne cherchons pas à diviser, mais à revitaliser une vieille amitié et à renouveler la plus grande civilisation de l’histoire humaine. Ce que nous voulons, c’est une alliance revigorée ». » | Par Alexis Feertchak avec l’AFP | samedi 14 février 2026
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Michael Lambert: Are Things Really Bad Everywhere in Europe?
Jun 21, 2025 | In this video, I visit Munich, the capital of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany.
The German economy has suffered from the ending of gas supplies from Russia and from a decline in sales to China; however, there are few if any signs of economic decline in Munich.
Although I visited on days when the shops were closed, there were plenty of people in the city centre and pubs, restaurants, beer gardens, and beer halls were all very busy.
Although this was only a brief visit to a small part of the centre of the city, it was clear that the German economy will survive and adapt,
Whilst in Munich, I was also able to visit Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, where I filmed another video which can be viewed here.
The German economy has suffered from the ending of gas supplies from Russia and from a decline in sales to China; however, there are few if any signs of economic decline in Munich.
Although I visited on days when the shops were closed, there were plenty of people in the city centre and pubs, restaurants, beer gardens, and beer halls were all very busy.
Although this was only a brief visit to a small part of the centre of the city, it was clear that the German economy will survive and adapt,
Whilst in Munich, I was also able to visit Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, where I filmed another video which can be viewed here.
Monday, February 17, 2025
'Americans Felt Totally Embarrassed': Vance Gives 'Condescending Lecture' to Europeans
JD Vance Stuns World with Embrace of Germany's Far-right Party
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Von der Leyen's Powerful Address at Munich Security Conference: A Bold Vision for Europe's Future!
History in the Making at MSC: A New World Order in One Weekend? | DW News
Feb 16, 2025 | The Munich Security Conference comes to an end today after a dramatic three days that showed fundamental rifts between the US and the EU.
US Vice-President JD Vance accused European leaders of retreating from their values and ignoring voter concerns on migration and free speech. Vance's speech came after President Donald Trump blindsided allies in possible Ukraine peace negotiations, by holding unilateral talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
It is likely to be remembered as the week that fundamentally altered the transatlantic alliance, and re-established US ties to Russia.
DW's Chief Political Correspondent Richard Walker provides some analysis of what happened and what to expect.
A fool is as a fool does. – © Mark Alexander
US Vice-President JD Vance accused European leaders of retreating from their values and ignoring voter concerns on migration and free speech. Vance's speech came after President Donald Trump blindsided allies in possible Ukraine peace negotiations, by holding unilateral talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
It is likely to be remembered as the week that fundamentally altered the transatlantic alliance, and re-established US ties to Russia.
DW's Chief Political Correspondent Richard Walker provides some analysis of what happened and what to expect.
A fool is as a fool does. – © Mark Alexander
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Europe's Leaders Fuming after Trump's Deal with Putin Leaves Strategic Void
Bill Browder: Dispatches from Munich
Feb 15, 2025 | Today, we’re joined by Bill Browder, a leading voice in global finance, human rights, and the fight against corruption. As the CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, Browder was once the largest foreign investor in Russia—until he was declared a threat to national security by the Putin regime for exposing corruption at the highest levels. His relentless pursuit of justice following the death of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, led to the Magnitsky Act, a landmark piece of legislation that targets human rights abusers with sanctions.
We caught up with Bill while he was at the Munich Security Conference, where he shared his insights on the war in Ukraine, the evolving U.S.-Russia relationship, and what the West must do to counter emerging global threats. His deep understanding of Russia’s power structures and global influence makes this a must-watch discussion.
We caught up with Bill while he was at the Munich Security Conference, where he shared his insights on the war in Ukraine, the evolving U.S.-Russia relationship, and what the West must do to counter emerging global threats. His deep understanding of Russia’s power structures and global influence makes this a must-watch discussion.
Vance Shocks Europe With a Message That He Has Long Promoted at Home
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The vice president’s speech in Munich, expressing support for far-right, anti-immigration parties and criticizing suppression of conservative voices, was a global extension of his core political themes.
Vice President JD Vance’s defense of a divisive far-right political party in Germany was the latest jarring example of his willingness to embrace a provocative political issue and showed how hard-line immigration policy has emerged as the thread tightly knitting together a global patchwork of populist movements.
The thrust of Mr. Vance’s speech on Friday in Munich was a call for European leaders to broaden their tolerance for alternative viewpoints. But his address from inside a Bavarian hotel was certain to resonate back home among conservative and libertarian movements that have long seized on free speech battles in Europe to warn of dangers that could be looming for anti-immigration and anti-abortion activists in the United States.
Mr. Vance did not mention the far-right party, Alternative for Germany, by name, but the context was clear as he criticized a decision to bar certain political parties from the Munich Security Conference just over a week before Germany’s national election.
Although elements of the party, also known by its German initials, AfD, have been classified as extremist by German intelligence, it appears to be on track for its strongest showing yet in a parliamentary election amid anger over immigration and rising prices. » | Michael C. Bender | Reporting from Washington | Friday, February 14, 2025
Vice President JD Vance’s defense of a divisive far-right political party in Germany was the latest jarring example of his willingness to embrace a provocative political issue and showed how hard-line immigration policy has emerged as the thread tightly knitting together a global patchwork of populist movements.
The thrust of Mr. Vance’s speech on Friday in Munich was a call for European leaders to broaden their tolerance for alternative viewpoints. But his address from inside a Bavarian hotel was certain to resonate back home among conservative and libertarian movements that have long seized on free speech battles in Europe to warn of dangers that could be looming for anti-immigration and anti-abortion activists in the United States.
Mr. Vance did not mention the far-right party, Alternative for Germany, by name, but the context was clear as he criticized a decision to bar certain political parties from the Munich Security Conference just over a week before Germany’s national election.
Although elements of the party, also known by its German initials, AfD, have been classified as extremist by German intelligence, it appears to be on track for its strongest showing yet in a parliamentary election amid anger over immigration and rising prices. » | Michael C. Bender | Reporting from Washington | Friday, February 14, 2025
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