In this episode of Switzerland, Tom Switzer is joined by Sir Max Hastings — one of Britain’s most distinguished military historians, journalists, and former newspaper editors — for a wide-ranging conversation about war, power, and the fate of the Western order. They explore whether today’s fractured international system bears dangerous similarities to 1914, the impact of Donald Trump on U.S. foreign policy, Europe’s strategic vulnerability, NATO’s future, the rise of authoritarianism, and the challenges posed by Russia and China. Drawing on decades of scholarship and reportage, Hastings reflects on nationalism, Brexit, technology’s growing political power, and the enduring strengths — and vulnerabilities — of democratic societies in an age of renewed great-power rivalry.
Showing posts with label NATO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NATO. Show all posts
Friday, January 30, 2026
Will Trump Trigger a New World War? | Max Hastings
Jan 30, 2026 | The legendary historian Max Hastings on NATO, China, democracy — and whether today’s world resembles 1914.
In this episode of Switzerland, Tom Switzer is joined by Sir Max Hastings — one of Britain’s most distinguished military historians, journalists, and former newspaper editors — for a wide-ranging conversation about war, power, and the fate of the Western order. They explore whether today’s fractured international system bears dangerous similarities to 1914, the impact of Donald Trump on U.S. foreign policy, Europe’s strategic vulnerability, NATO’s future, the rise of authoritarianism, and the challenges posed by Russia and China. Drawing on decades of scholarship and reportage, Hastings reflects on nationalism, Brexit, technology’s growing political power, and the enduring strengths — and vulnerabilities — of democratic societies in an age of renewed great-power rivalry.
In this episode of Switzerland, Tom Switzer is joined by Sir Max Hastings — one of Britain’s most distinguished military historians, journalists, and former newspaper editors — for a wide-ranging conversation about war, power, and the fate of the Western order. They explore whether today’s fractured international system bears dangerous similarities to 1914, the impact of Donald Trump on U.S. foreign policy, Europe’s strategic vulnerability, NATO’s future, the rise of authoritarianism, and the challenges posed by Russia and China. Drawing on decades of scholarship and reportage, Hastings reflects on nationalism, Brexit, technology’s growing political power, and the enduring strengths — and vulnerabilities — of democratic societies in an age of renewed great-power rivalry.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Nato Chief Rutte: ‘Keep on Dreaming’ If You Think Europe Could Defend Itself without US
THE GUARDIAN: Mark Rutte said Europe would need to spend ‘billions and billions of euros’ on defence
Rutte also tells EU lawmakers that if they think the EU or Europe as whole can defend itself without the US, they should “keep on dreaming”.
He says Europe’s defence spending would then have to go massively up to 10%, with further need to buy own nuclear capability and spend “billions and billions of euros.”
He also says Europe needs the US and similarly the US needs Nato.
He adds that even as US priorities evolve, there will “always be a very strong conventional US presence in Europe.” » | Europe live with Jakub Krupa | Monday, January 26, 2026
How weak! How feeble! Such a defeatist attitude!
So, Mark Rutte believes that Europeans—naturally, I include Britons in this group—must rely on the mood swings of a fascist, on the vicissitudes of BIG “DADDY”, on the mercurial nature of the orange god across the Pond.
Of course, Europe is not currently in any position to defend the Continent effectively. But with WILL and DETERMINATION and GOOD, SOUND LEADERSHIP, and a STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY, that can all change. However, with Mark Rutte’s defeatist attitude, it will not change. Things will stay the same.
If you don’t believe me, just think of what Winston Churchill achieved when war broke out in 1939. At the time, the United Kingdom‘s finances were in a relatively weak and precarious position. But Winston Churchill refused to let that dampen his determination to defend the nation. At the time, the UK fought without the USA. The USA didn’t enter the war until December 1941. But the UK fought on with courage and determination. And so it must be for Europe in times of danger and war.
Recent political developments and events have shown us Europeans that WE MUST start fending for ourselves. WE MUST NOT CONTINUE to allow others to determine our future or destiny. Nor can we allow European soil to be seized by other nations. Our European identity, unity and cohesion, prosperity, and future depend on it. We cannot afford not to be able to fend for ourselves. If we cannot learn to defend ourselves, European nations will end up as vassal states. And that, of course, is both objectionable and unacceptable.
Europe’s military strength depends on us Europeans: Europeans’ determination; Europeans’ well-trained, well-financed militaries; and Europeans’ willingness to work together as ONE, as a FAMILY OF NATIONS. Each nation will have to work for the GOOD OF ALL.
The best way forward will be achieved when there is a central military command. And to use an apt Arab saying. It is as follows: One hand cannot clap. (يد واحدة لا تصفق). This means that teamwork is essential.
We Europeans must put aside our differences and co-operate. Our future depends on it. It is the ONLY WAY FORWARD. — © Mark Alexander
Rutte also tells EU lawmakers that if they think the EU or Europe as whole can defend itself without the US, they should “keep on dreaming”.
He says Europe’s defence spending would then have to go massively up to 10%, with further need to buy own nuclear capability and spend “billions and billions of euros.”
He also says Europe needs the US and similarly the US needs Nato.
He adds that even as US priorities evolve, there will “always be a very strong conventional US presence in Europe.” » | Europe live with Jakub Krupa | Monday, January 26, 2026
How weak! How feeble! Such a defeatist attitude!
So, Mark Rutte believes that Europeans—naturally, I include Britons in this group—must rely on the mood swings of a fascist, on the vicissitudes of BIG “DADDY”, on the mercurial nature of the orange god across the Pond.
Of course, Europe is not currently in any position to defend the Continent effectively. But with WILL and DETERMINATION and GOOD, SOUND LEADERSHIP, and a STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY, that can all change. However, with Mark Rutte’s defeatist attitude, it will not change. Things will stay the same.
If you don’t believe me, just think of what Winston Churchill achieved when war broke out in 1939. At the time, the United Kingdom‘s finances were in a relatively weak and precarious position. But Winston Churchill refused to let that dampen his determination to defend the nation. At the time, the UK fought without the USA. The USA didn’t enter the war until December 1941. But the UK fought on with courage and determination. And so it must be for Europe in times of danger and war.
Recent political developments and events have shown us Europeans that WE MUST start fending for ourselves. WE MUST NOT CONTINUE to allow others to determine our future or destiny. Nor can we allow European soil to be seized by other nations. Our European identity, unity and cohesion, prosperity, and future depend on it. We cannot afford not to be able to fend for ourselves. If we cannot learn to defend ourselves, European nations will end up as vassal states. And that, of course, is both objectionable and unacceptable.
Europe’s military strength depends on us Europeans: Europeans’ determination; Europeans’ well-trained, well-financed militaries; and Europeans’ willingness to work together as ONE, as a FAMILY OF NATIONS. Each nation will have to work for the GOOD OF ALL.
The best way forward will be achieved when there is a central military command. And to use an apt Arab saying. It is as follows: One hand cannot clap. (يد واحدة لا تصفق). This means that teamwork is essential.
We Europeans must put aside our differences and co-operate. Our future depends on it. It is the ONLY WAY FORWARD. — © Mark Alexander
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Why Trump Is ‘Trying to Break NATO’ | Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson
Jan 21, 2026 | “He understands he can’t leave Nato…but he could break it.”
Trump wants to “destroy NATO” because he believes the UK and Europe are in the “rear view mirror” of America, says political strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson.
Trump wants to “destroy NATO” because he believes the UK and Europe are in the “rear view mirror” of America, says political strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Despite Trump’s Words, China and Russia Are Not Threatening Greenland
THE NEW YORK TIMES: U.S. and European officials say they are unaware of any intelligence that shows China and Russia are endangering the island, which is protected by the NATO security umbrella.
Fourteen years ago, a Chinese icebreaker called the Snow Dragon made a long and surprising voyage.
Over three months in the summer, the scientific research vessel crossed from the Pacific to the Atlantic, traversing nearly 5,400 nautical miles of the Arctic Ocean, a first for China. The crew discovered that melting ice meant the ship could travel through the remote region without great difficulty, the expedition leader told reporters after docking in Iceland.
“To our astonishment,” said the leader, Huigen Yang, “most part of the Northern Sea Route is open.”
American and European officials took notice at the time and began keeping a close watch on China’s moves in the Arctic.
But while China has talked about expanding trade and access to shipping lanes and natural resources in the Arctic, it has developed only a small footprint there over the years. And even as China and Russia compete with the United States in many parts of the world, they do not present a threat to American interests in or near Greenland, say experts on those two superpowers and current and former U.S. officials, including intelligence analysts.
Those findings contrast sharply with assertions by President Trump, who has repeatedly cited security as the reason he wants to acquire Greenland. In a speech on Wednesday at an annual forum in Davos, Switzerland, he said Greenland was an “enormous, unsecured island” that was a “core national security interest of the United States of America.” » | Edward Wong | Edward Wong reports from Washington on U.S. foreign policy and is a former Beijing bureau chief for The Times who has a written a book about China. | Saturday, January 24, 2026
Does anyone really believe the poppycock that Greenland’s security is momentarily endangered by Russia or China?
Trump wants Greenland for ONE main reason, and for one MAIN reason only: He wants to ENRICH HIMSELF and PROFIT. That’s all he ever seems to want to do anyway. I don’t believe that Trump is working for the good of the American people; rather, I believe he is working for the good of himself, his family, and his cronies. Where there is money involved, he’s there! Trump is not far away.
Trump is a climate change denier. But, ironically, it is because of climate change that so many treasures are going to be made available for mining/ The more the earth warms, the greater the treasures made available for exploitation: rare earths, gold, minerals, and significant oil and gas reserves, and much else besides, yet unknown. It’s a treasure trove that would benefit Trump, the usurper. That’s why he wants Greenland, and for little else. Had it not been for climate change, I doubt that Trump would even have uttered the word Greenland!
Fact is, a known crook has been re-elected to the White House, and that crook is using his presidency as a cash cow. That’s the long and the short of it. However, he must not be allowed to have ANY sovereignty over Greenland. Greenland and its vast riches belong to the Greenlanders and the Danes and to nobody else. — © Mark Alexander
Fourteen years ago, a Chinese icebreaker called the Snow Dragon made a long and surprising voyage.
Over three months in the summer, the scientific research vessel crossed from the Pacific to the Atlantic, traversing nearly 5,400 nautical miles of the Arctic Ocean, a first for China. The crew discovered that melting ice meant the ship could travel through the remote region without great difficulty, the expedition leader told reporters after docking in Iceland.
“To our astonishment,” said the leader, Huigen Yang, “most part of the Northern Sea Route is open.”
American and European officials took notice at the time and began keeping a close watch on China’s moves in the Arctic.
But while China has talked about expanding trade and access to shipping lanes and natural resources in the Arctic, it has developed only a small footprint there over the years. And even as China and Russia compete with the United States in many parts of the world, they do not present a threat to American interests in or near Greenland, say experts on those two superpowers and current and former U.S. officials, including intelligence analysts.
Those findings contrast sharply with assertions by President Trump, who has repeatedly cited security as the reason he wants to acquire Greenland. In a speech on Wednesday at an annual forum in Davos, Switzerland, he said Greenland was an “enormous, unsecured island” that was a “core national security interest of the United States of America.” » | Edward Wong | Edward Wong reports from Washington on U.S. foreign policy and is a former Beijing bureau chief for The Times who has a written a book about China. | Saturday, January 24, 2026
Does anyone really believe the poppycock that Greenland’s security is momentarily endangered by Russia or China?
Trump wants Greenland for ONE main reason, and for one MAIN reason only: He wants to ENRICH HIMSELF and PROFIT. That’s all he ever seems to want to do anyway. I don’t believe that Trump is working for the good of the American people; rather, I believe he is working for the good of himself, his family, and his cronies. Where there is money involved, he’s there! Trump is not far away.
Trump is a climate change denier. But, ironically, it is because of climate change that so many treasures are going to be made available for mining/ The more the earth warms, the greater the treasures made available for exploitation: rare earths, gold, minerals, and significant oil and gas reserves, and much else besides, yet unknown. It’s a treasure trove that would benefit Trump, the usurper. That’s why he wants Greenland, and for little else. Had it not been for climate change, I doubt that Trump would even have uttered the word Greenland!
Fact is, a known crook has been re-elected to the White House, and that crook is using his presidency as a cash cow. That’s the long and the short of it. However, he must not be allowed to have ANY sovereignty over Greenland. Greenland and its vast riches belong to the Greenlanders and the Danes and to nobody else. — © Mark Alexander
Friday, January 23, 2026
Trump-Aussage über Nato-Truppen in Afghanistan löst Empörung in Großbritannien aus
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Der US-Präsident behauptet, die Verbündeten hätten sich von der Frontlinie in Afghanistan ferngehalten. Britische Politiker und Veteranen widersprechen scharf.
US-Präsident Donald Trump hat mit Äußerungen über den Einsatz von Nato-Truppen in Afghanistan heftige Kritik aus Großbritannien auf sich gezogen. In einem Interview mit Fox News erklärte Trump, er sei sich nicht sicher, ob das Militärbündnis die USA unterstützen würde, falls diese jemals Hilfe benötigten. Die Nato-Partner hätten zwar Truppen nach Afghanistan geschickt, diese seien jedoch „etwas zurückgeblieben, etwas abseits der Frontlinien“ gewesen.
Der britische Streitkräfteminister Al Carns, selbst Afghanistan-Veteran, bezeichnete die Aussagen als „völlig lächerlich“. Die Welt habe sich nach den Anschlägen vom 11. September 2001 hinter die USA gestellt, erklärte er in einem auf X veröffentlichten Video. Oppositionsführerin Kemi Badenoch von den Konservativen nannte Trumps Behauptung „kompletten Unsinn“. Britische, kanadische und Nato-Truppen hätten 20 Jahre lang an der Seite der USA gekämpft und seien gefallen. » | Sophie Barkey | Freitag, 23. Januar 2026
US-Präsident Donald Trump hat mit Äußerungen über den Einsatz von Nato-Truppen in Afghanistan heftige Kritik aus Großbritannien auf sich gezogen. In einem Interview mit Fox News erklärte Trump, er sei sich nicht sicher, ob das Militärbündnis die USA unterstützen würde, falls diese jemals Hilfe benötigten. Die Nato-Partner hätten zwar Truppen nach Afghanistan geschickt, diese seien jedoch „etwas zurückgeblieben, etwas abseits der Frontlinien“ gewesen.
Der britische Streitkräfteminister Al Carns, selbst Afghanistan-Veteran, bezeichnete die Aussagen als „völlig lächerlich“. Die Welt habe sich nach den Anschlägen vom 11. September 2001 hinter die USA gestellt, erklärte er in einem auf X veröffentlichten Video. Oppositionsführerin Kemi Badenoch von den Konservativen nannte Trumps Behauptung „kompletten Unsinn“. Britische, kanadische und Nato-Truppen hätten 20 Jahre lang an der Seite der USA gekämpft und seien gefallen. » | Sophie Barkey | Freitag, 23. Januar 2026
Politicians React as Trump Claims NATO Troops Avoided Front Lines | BBC Question Time
Jan 23, 2026 | Following a tense week for European nations over Donald Trump’s threats to Greenland, fresh outrage has been sparked as the US President claimed NATO troops avoided Afghanistan's front line.
Trump told Fox News on Thursday: "They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan from 2001, and a total of 457 British service personnel were killed in the conflict.
Trump told Fox News on Thursday: "They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan from 2001, and a total of 457 British service personnel were killed in the conflict.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Trump Rules Out Force in Greenland But Takes Swipe at NATO Allies
Jan 21, 2026 | After weeks of threats Donald Trump delivered another climbdown. If he wanted to use force to grab Greenland, the President of the United States said, in a speech today at Davos, he'd be "unstoppable". But he wants instead to "acquire it". Though he isn't exactly asking nicely.
Describing Greenland as a "big block of ice" - at times confusing it with Iceland - he warned Denmark, "you can say no, but we will remember." In a long and meandering speech, constant reminders to the NATO allies too - including the UK - that without the US, they were nothing.
The crisis created, not yet fully passed. Trump used his platform at Davos to take a series of swipes at Europe and Canada, complaining that they weren't being grateful enough to the United States.
In a speech lasting more than an hour he decried green energy policies and claimed that the people of Europe were "destroying themselves". But there was some relief at least that Mr Trump ruled out the idea of using "excessive force" to seize Greenland.
Can the fractures splintering through the old world order be fixed?
Describing Greenland as a "big block of ice" - at times confusing it with Iceland - he warned Denmark, "you can say no, but we will remember." In a long and meandering speech, constant reminders to the NATO allies too - including the UK - that without the US, they were nothing.
The crisis created, not yet fully passed. Trump used his platform at Davos to take a series of swipes at Europe and Canada, complaining that they weren't being grateful enough to the United States.
In a speech lasting more than an hour he decried green energy policies and claimed that the people of Europe were "destroying themselves". But there was some relief at least that Mr Trump ruled out the idea of using "excessive force" to seize Greenland.
Can the fractures splintering through the old world order be fixed?
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Donald Trump Says ‘No Going Back’ on Greenland Takeover Plan | BBC News
Jan 20, 2026 | US President Donald Trump has said he will tell European leaders "we have to have" Greenland at this week's forum in Davos, Switzerland.
On social media, Trump shared a message apparently from Emmanuel Macron, in which the French president says: "I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.”
He also shared a message he said was from NATO's secretary general and posted generated images of himself placing an American flag on Greenland.
Greenland's prime minister said "we will not let ourselves be pressured", as European allies have rallied to defend the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Meanwhile Trump has also said the UK's plan to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is an "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY". His administration has previously backed the deal. The UK said it has to hand over the islands because the military base is under threat "after court decisions undermined our position".
On social media, Trump shared a message apparently from Emmanuel Macron, in which the French president says: "I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.”
He also shared a message he said was from NATO's secretary general and posted generated images of himself placing an American flag on Greenland.
Greenland's prime minister said "we will not let ourselves be pressured", as European allies have rallied to defend the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Meanwhile Trump has also said the UK's plan to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is an "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY". His administration has previously backed the deal. The UK said it has to hand over the islands because the military base is under threat "after court decisions undermined our position".
'Trump Is a Real Threat to World Peace' - Former NATO Chief
Jan 20, 2026 | Former NATO Secretary General and ex-Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen has delivered a stark warning over Donald Trump’s threats towards Greenland, saying an attack on the Danish territory would spell the end of NATO and fundamentally undermine the Western alliance.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, Rasmussen has dismissed claims that Denmark has failed to defend Greenland, arguing that the United States already has the right to deploy troops and bases there under a long-standing defence agreement - one it has chosen not to fully use. He warns that Trump’s rhetoric risks eroding the transatlantic relationship and could destabilise the global order.
America is no longer really the leader of the free world. To start with, America is itself no longer free: on the contrary, it is well on its way to autocracy; so how can it be the leader of the free world? Secondly, the free world cannot be led by such a mentally imbalanced man as Trump. The man clearly has mental health issues. I am no medical doctor, but one doesn’t have to be: Trump’s actions and pronouncements SCREAM mental health problems! This geriatric truly has lost the plot. — © Mark Alexander
Speaking to Channel 4 News, Rasmussen has dismissed claims that Denmark has failed to defend Greenland, arguing that the United States already has the right to deploy troops and bases there under a long-standing defence agreement - one it has chosen not to fully use. He warns that Trump’s rhetoric risks eroding the transatlantic relationship and could destabilise the global order.
America is no longer really the leader of the free world. To start with, America is itself no longer free: on the contrary, it is well on its way to autocracy; so how can it be the leader of the free world? Secondly, the free world cannot be led by such a mentally imbalanced man as Trump. The man clearly has mental health issues. I am no medical doctor, but one doesn’t have to be: Trump’s actions and pronouncements SCREAM mental health problems! This geriatric truly has lost the plot. — © Mark Alexander
Monday, January 19, 2026
Put European and Canadian Troops in Greenland to Deter US | Richard Shirreff
Jan 19, 2026 | "It's absolutely the future of NATO.”
Former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Sir Richard Shirreff tells Times Radio Europe and Canada should "call the bluff" and put troops into Greenland to deter "any aggression, whether Russian, Chinese, or indeed, American".
Former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Sir Richard Shirreff tells Times Radio Europe and Canada should "call the bluff" and put troops into Greenland to deter "any aggression, whether Russian, Chinese, or indeed, American".
EU Can Weaponise Tech and Energy to 'Damage' America in Tariff Backlash | Oliver Moody
Jan 19, 2026 | “Europe can do a lot of damage to America, particularly in terms of financial services, tech, energy, arms exports.”
The question Europe will have to answer is how much hurt are they willing to shoulder in an attempt to deter Trump from further Greenland action, says The Times’s Oliver Moody.
The question Europe will have to answer is how much hurt are they willing to shoulder in an attempt to deter Trump from further Greenland action, says The Times’s Oliver Moody.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Troops and Vessels from European NATO Allies Arrive in Greenland | BBC News
Jan 16, 2026 | Troops and ships from several European states are gathering in Greenland. The limited deployment involves Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the UK.
US President Donald Trump says the US needs to "own" Greenland to prevent Russia and China from doing so. Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said this week that the territory was in the midst of a geopolitical crisis, and that if his people were asked to make a choice they would choose Denmark over the US.
US President Donald Trump says the US needs to "own" Greenland to prevent Russia and China from doing so. Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said this week that the territory was in the midst of a geopolitical crisis, and that if his people were asked to make a choice they would choose Denmark over the US.
US vs Europe: How Greenland Became a NATO Crisis as Trump Threatens Tariffs for Non-compliance.
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
"Iran, Grönland, Venezuela – Trumps neue Weltordnung?" | maybrit illner vom 15. Januar 2026
Jan 16, 2026 | Die Geschwindigkeit und Konsequenz, mit der Donald Trump seine Nationale Sicherheitsstrategie für die USA umsetzt, schockt die Welt: Er beansprucht die "westliche Hemisphäre" für die USA – dazu gehört Venezuela, aber auch Grönland. Dem Mullah-Regime im Iran droht der US-Präsident mit "harter Bestrafung".
Trump geht es um Sicherheit und um Rohstoffe. Wo er eine Chance sieht, schlägt er zu. Er setzt dabei auf sein Recht des Stärkeren und pfeift auf das Völkerrecht. Keine guten Nachrichten auch für die Ukraine und für Taiwan, denn was Trump recht ist, das ist Putin und Xi billig.
Die Europäer sind verstört und suchen nach Antworten auf die neue Rücksichtlosigkeit. Beim Iran zum Beispiel wirken sie hilflos. Was ist von der Partnerschaft mit den USA noch übrig? Wie rettet Europa seine Interessen und die der Ukraine? Und was wird aus der Idee des Völkerrechts als Grundlage einer internationalen Ordnung?
Zu Gast bei Maybrit Illner sind Annalena Baerbock, Präsidentin der UN-Vollversammlung, der stellevertretende Vorsitzende der Unionsfraktion Norbert Röttgen, Bundestagsvizepräsident Omid Nouripour (B´90/Die Grünen), der Militärexperte Carlo Masala, Politikwissenschafter Peter Rough und die Journalistin Melanie Amann.
Trump geht es um Sicherheit und um Rohstoffe. Wo er eine Chance sieht, schlägt er zu. Er setzt dabei auf sein Recht des Stärkeren und pfeift auf das Völkerrecht. Keine guten Nachrichten auch für die Ukraine und für Taiwan, denn was Trump recht ist, das ist Putin und Xi billig.
Die Europäer sind verstört und suchen nach Antworten auf die neue Rücksichtlosigkeit. Beim Iran zum Beispiel wirken sie hilflos. Was ist von der Partnerschaft mit den USA noch übrig? Wie rettet Europa seine Interessen und die der Ukraine? Und was wird aus der Idee des Völkerrechts als Grundlage einer internationalen Ordnung?
Zu Gast bei Maybrit Illner sind Annalena Baerbock, Präsidentin der UN-Vollversammlung, der stellevertretende Vorsitzende der Unionsfraktion Norbert Röttgen, Bundestagsvizepräsident Omid Nouripour (B´90/Die Grünen), der Militärexperte Carlo Masala, Politikwissenschafter Peter Rough und die Journalistin Melanie Amann.
Will Congress Stop Trump’s Power Grab? Or Are Republicans Complicit in the Downfall of NATO?
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
Trump and his cronies don’t give a damn about the Constitution! One of the best ways to think about Trump and his MAGA movement is to think of cancer, a malign primary growth, a primary tumour, and metastasized growths or tumours springing up all over the body politics of other western nations. One can also think of the movement as a pox on the West. Think of how quickly mushrooms in a field spring up after a night of rain.
As for some of MAGA’s characters, there are too many to mention here. But Stephen Miller is America’s very own Joseph Goebbels, its very own Minister of Propaganda, or as he would have been known in Hitler’s Third Reich, Reichsminister für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda. As for little Mike Johnson, well, he is just a queer little fellow. — © Mark Alexander
Whether or Not Trump Invades Greenland, This Much Is Clear: The Western Order We Once Knew Is History
THE GUARDIAN: The EU must be more robust in order to stem the tide of international disorder, or it risks falling to authoritarian imperialism
Donald Trump is threatening to take over Greenland, the territory of a Nato ally, possibly by military force, as Vladimir Putin is trying to take over Ukraine. Even if he doesn’t actually do it, this is a new era: a post-western world of illiberal international disorder.
The task now for liberal democracies in general, and Europe in particular, is twofold: to see this world as it is and to work out what the hell we’re going to do about it.
A global public opinion poll published today is a useful starting point. It was conducted last November in 21 countries for the European Council on Foreign Relations, in partnership with our Europe in a Changing World research project at the University of Oxford (and do please read the full report, which I have written with Ivan Krastev and Mark Leonard). This is the fourth in a series of polls we’ve done every year since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, so we can see how things have evolved from very bad then to critical now.
Back in 2022, we found a transatlantic west united in outrage at the full-scale invasion of Ukraine but divided from other great and middle powers, such as China, India and Turkey, who were quite happy to go on doing business as usual with Russia. The Russian economy was surviving unprecedented western sanctions because those other states now had sufficient wealth and power between them to counterbalance even a united west. So this was already a post-western world, but still with a west acting in it.
Trump 2.0 has changed all that. Now we have a post-western world, but with no coherent geopolitical west acting in it. To the extent that any strategic coherence should be attributed to the erratic narcissism of Trump, his approach is closer to that of Putin than it is to that of any US president since 1945. As his right-hand man Stephen Miller frankly explains, they believe the world is “governed by strength … by force … by power”. » | Timothy Garton Ash | Thursday, January 15, 2026
Trump has vandalized the western world! That will be his legacy in the history books. — © Mark Alexander
Donald Trump is threatening to take over Greenland, the territory of a Nato ally, possibly by military force, as Vladimir Putin is trying to take over Ukraine. Even if he doesn’t actually do it, this is a new era: a post-western world of illiberal international disorder.
The task now for liberal democracies in general, and Europe in particular, is twofold: to see this world as it is and to work out what the hell we’re going to do about it.
A global public opinion poll published today is a useful starting point. It was conducted last November in 21 countries for the European Council on Foreign Relations, in partnership with our Europe in a Changing World research project at the University of Oxford (and do please read the full report, which I have written with Ivan Krastev and Mark Leonard). This is the fourth in a series of polls we’ve done every year since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, so we can see how things have evolved from very bad then to critical now.
Back in 2022, we found a transatlantic west united in outrage at the full-scale invasion of Ukraine but divided from other great and middle powers, such as China, India and Turkey, who were quite happy to go on doing business as usual with Russia. The Russian economy was surviving unprecedented western sanctions because those other states now had sufficient wealth and power between them to counterbalance even a united west. So this was already a post-western world, but still with a west acting in it.
Trump 2.0 has changed all that. Now we have a post-western world, but with no coherent geopolitical west acting in it. To the extent that any strategic coherence should be attributed to the erratic narcissism of Trump, his approach is closer to that of Putin than it is to that of any US president since 1945. As his right-hand man Stephen Miller frankly explains, they believe the world is “governed by strength … by force … by power”. » | Timothy Garton Ash | Thursday, January 15, 2026
Trump has vandalized the western world! That will be his legacy in the history books. — © Mark Alexander
Monday, January 12, 2026
'Cluelessness and 'Recklessness': Fmr. US/Denmark Ambassador Raises Concerns over Greenland
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Ex-US-General Ben Hodges warnt: Wie Trumps Kurs die Weltordnung verändert | ZDFheute live
10 Jan 2026 | Ex-US-General Ben Hodges sieht Trumps Grönland-Pläne als Machtdemonstration. Es gehe um Reichtümer unter dem Eis und Arktisrouten. Die NATO müsse reagieren und Europa mehr Selbstvertrauen zeigen. Bei ZDFheute live beschreibt der Ex-US-General die sicherheitspolitischen Konsequenzen der neuen US-Außenpolitik unter Präsident Donald Trump. Im Mittelpunkt stehen die Abkehr von multilateralen Strukturen, die Diskussion um Einflusszonen, Trumps Interesse an Grönland sowie mögliche Folgen für die NATO.
Hodges ordnet die US-Strategie als macht- und ressourcengetrieben ein und warnt vor einer nachhaltigen Schwächung transatlantischer Bündnisse. Zugleich rückt die Frage in den Fokus, wie Europa, insbesondere Deutschland, auf die veränderte Weltordnung reagieren und mehr sicherheitspolitische Verantwortung übernehmen kann.
Hodges ordnet die US-Strategie als macht- und ressourcengetrieben ein und warnt vor einer nachhaltigen Schwächung transatlantischer Bündnisse. Zugleich rückt die Frage in den Fokus, wie Europa, insbesondere Deutschland, auf die veränderte Weltordnung reagieren und mehr sicherheitspolitische Verantwortung übernehmen kann.
Tuesday, January 06, 2026
Trump Eyes Up Greenland: Defence Expert Warns of Consequences for NATO | LBC
Jan 6, 2026 | Former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace talks to Nick Ferrari about Donald Trump's renewed threats to take over Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
After launching a military intervention in Venezuela over the weekend, President Trump has doubled down on his calls for the US to control Greenland for 'national security' purposes.
Wallace tells Nick Ferrari about the 'worrying shift' in America's worldview, one that throws out 'rules and regulations' in favour of power. The former Tory defence secretary explains how this 'shift' threatens the West as, similar to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Trump is seeking to 'take over a sovereign nation'.
Wallace ends by saying that when it comes to President Trump's threats, 'he means what he says'.
Keir Starmer is a weak ditherer. — © Mark Alexander
After launching a military intervention in Venezuela over the weekend, President Trump has doubled down on his calls for the US to control Greenland for 'national security' purposes.
Wallace tells Nick Ferrari about the 'worrying shift' in America's worldview, one that throws out 'rules and regulations' in favour of power. The former Tory defence secretary explains how this 'shift' threatens the West as, similar to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Trump is seeking to 'take over a sovereign nation'.
Wallace ends by saying that when it comes to President Trump's threats, 'he means what he says'.
Keir Starmer is a weak ditherer. — © Mark Alexander
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