A Reader’s Opinion by Mikhail Balzer
The evening conversation topic turned to the noble Davos in the formerly neutral Switzerland, as my wife noted that this year’s World Economy Forum would receive significantly less media attention. It seemed that it was only about the question of what a video-televised “presidential enfant terrible”from the United States had to say.
Our Balkonist did not quite agree, having inferred from media reports that the remaining (mainly European) warmongers had gathered at the WEF to pat each other on the back and whisper encouragement to one another. This was necessary, as the party of the geopolitical and military friends from the USA had been unexpectedly rejected and that Donald Trump was now clearly expressing his opposing stance.
To avoid a pacifist voice that might only seemingly darken the apparent homogeneity of the EU, the so-called EU Foreign Policy Chief Kallas (not without side swipes at the American President) also heated up the debate, as one would expect from the pre-program of major combat sports events. The highlight, however, was also in terms of incoherent content, was the speech by Mark Rutte, former NATO Secretary General.
It’s not quite easy, after all, to explain complex military strategies, such as securing the western borders (?) against supposed Russian attacks. Well, then: If one keeps walking west around the globe, one will eventually end up in the east – so to speak, a circular defense through the NA*Toren. This is almost as irrational as a theatrically inclined no longer an outside minister in best Denglisch would formulate!
How far the Western world has already sunk in the swamp of its own strategy, one recognizes in Rutte’s bizarre threat of even higher costs if Ukraine loses. For then, it will cost “billions of dollars”to restore the deterrence capability of NATO. Observe and take