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Will 'Old Europe' Survive?

by Oui Sat Apr 15th, 2023 at 08:53:23 AM EST

The policy advocated seven years ago by France and President Macron about "strategic autonomy" has not been achieved, but under the assault by US presidents Trump and Biden, it has regained momentum and some urgency today.

Interesting times ahead as the US 2024 elections loom and U.S. Politics turns inward to domestic policy ... and the economy.

 

More below the fold ...


European Council president says EU cannot 'blindly, systematically follow' Washington

Macron and Return to Sovereignty

Critical materials for green energy transition and EVs

The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions | IEA |

An energy system powered by clean energy technologies differs profoundly from one fuelled by traditional hydrocarbon resources. Solar photovoltaic (PV) plants, wind farms and electric vehicles (EVs) generally require more minerals to build than their fossil fuel-based counterparts. A typical electric car requires six times the mineral inputs of a conventional car and an onshore wind plant requires nine times more mineral resources than a gas-fired plant. Since 2010 the average amount of minerals needed for a new unit of power generation capacity has increased by 50% as the share of renewables in new investment has risen.

Transition from Big Oil to Big Mining

Booming EV sales challenge critical mineral supply chains

The survival of Old Europe, the basic roots of the Europe Union, is the only option for the EU-27 to survive. Both Russia and the U.S.-UK Atlanticists have gone far to undermine the executive and judicial primate of Brussels.

When Brussels comes under attack it starts to move, albeit slowly, to fill the gaps needed to exert authority. The Financial crisis of 2008, the SARS-CoV2 pandemic and lacking an army for defense are events for reforming EU policy. Brexit years from 2016-2021 already put a strain on the fiber and unity in Brussels. Europe needs to define it's very own National Interests which does mean exert it's sovereignty as one bloc of nations. The war on its border is a foolish endeavor by U.S. led NATO expansion to the Russian frontier is seen as an existential threat to the Russian Federation. The expansion of NATO into the Indo-Pacific is a partnership ina global hegemon not in Europe's interest. Making enemies is part of American exceptionalism and foreign policy over the last 50 years. That should stop as the global threats of. Climate  Change and the environment of clear air, water and earth are the real challenges. Europe needs economic partnerships, not adversaries and conflict for military superiority ... a Cold War arms race.

See the interesting journey and State visit by Emmanuel Macron to China and Xi Jinping.

Macron Is Proven Right: NATO Is Brain Dead!!

To the contrary from Brussels, VDL speaks with the voice of the G7, not the EU-27.

MOFA response to European Commission President von der Leyen's mention of cross-strait peace and stability during speech | Republic of China (Taiwan) - March 30, 2023 |

The journey by German Green Party FM Annalena Baerbock too, is a throwback to policy dictated by Washington DC and the Pentagon through NATO. Don't fall into another trap of military confrontation. The War in Ukraine is hurting badly and we're not even halfway.

From my diary ...

Russian Position in Talks with US, NATO and OSCE | Jan. 14, 2022 |

Under Donald Trump's regime of clarity MAGA ..

Very much the theme of the AngloSaxon conservatives joined by the alt-right across the Western world ... once again warmongering coming out of the Pentagon, White House and the National Security Council under leadership of neocon John Bolton.

Under Joe Biden's regime ...

🔻

Joe Biden as Chair of the powerful US Senate Foreign Relations Committee lied to the world in 2002, he is deceiving the world today to go to war in Ukraine and the military confrontation towards the CCP over One China policy and Taiwan. A battle for the existing failing World Order.

Worth the Price? Joe Biden and the Launch of the Iraq War

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'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Apr 16th, 2023 at 07:41:46 AM EST


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Apr 16th, 2023 at 07:46:16 AM EST
A long time contributor to BooMan Tribune ... RIP

Col. W. Patrick Lang 1940-2023

His writings @BooMan ...

The End of Ghazi Kanaan | Oct 12, 2005 |

For me Mr. Lang was part of US intelligence and too close to its foreign policy of interventions and warmongering.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Apr 16th, 2023 at 10:23:08 AM EST
Coverage of Sismi, Niger forgeries, cover-up, Nicola Pollari, abduction Abu Omar, CIA and Italy.

The murder of Nicola Calipari in Baghdad by US Armed Forces ...

Shooting Nicola Calipari No Accident | Aug 26, 2005 |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sun Apr 16th, 2023 at 10:24:46 AM EST
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Extraordinary writing by SusanHu here @EuroTrib, @BooMan and dKos ... year 2005

Provides links to excellent sources while also referencing Pat Lang ...

NSC Chief Hadley asked Italy for Syria Replacement Name | Oct. 23, 2005 |

National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley asked the Italians to help with regime change in Syria:

    I have it on good authority that Steven Hadley, the director of the US National Security Council, called the President of the Italian senate to asked if he had a candidate to replace Bashar al-Asad as President of Syria. The Italians were horrified. Italy is one of Syria's biggest trading partners so it seemed a reasonable place to ask! This is what Washington has been up to. -- Joshua Landis

Let's take this in. Hadley is calling the Italians, asking for a name as a replacement figurehead? Stunning.

[...]
Further, as Joshua Landis logically notes, what can Syria possibly do to placate the Bush administration? "Bashar cannot possibly do what Washington is demanding of it -- give family members to an international court. My guess is that the regime will stick together on this."

But, really, none of that matters!

[Update-1]

For context, added this update today ...

"The March to War: Israel Prepares..." by Nazemroaya Posted by Joshua on Sunday, April 20th, 2008 |

The following article tries to make sense of the almost constant war scares emanating from Israel over the last two years. My bet is that the threats and psychological warfare will not escalate into full battle. Most sensible people in the US and Israel know that war would be foolish and self-defeating. Israel would not get the peace it hopes for. The Middle East would be further radicalized. Oil prices would go through the ceiling. These are the same reasons that the US and Israel will not bomb Iran.

US and Israeli analysts have tried to depict Syria as the low hanging fruit. But like the fruit that Tantalus wanted so badly, it is always out of reach. It is not as low as it seems.

In April 2003, Israel's ambassador to Washington, Daniel Ayalon, explained what conditions the US and Israel believed would cause Syria to abandon its claim to the Golan and its support for Hizbullah. Hé said:

    The way to deal with [Syria] is to de-legitimize its regime and the way to do that is by applying political pressure and to really apply economic sanctions... this is the key element to pressure [it] into regime change... So, this is the direction - a lot of psychological pressure.

The bombing of Lebanon in 2006 was carried out so severely in order to signal to Assad that Syria could not resist Israel and the US. He would have to make peace on favorable terms with Israel or suffer Lebanon's fate. The neo-cons in the White House insisted that the only way to convince Asad to change was to bomb him. This is why the Wurmsers berated Israel for refusing to hit Syria directly. Unfortunately for the neo-cons, most Israeli analysts are not so stupid.

Secret talks: Israel pledges to end its occupation of the entire Golan Heights - 2009

END OF UPDATE

Cheney and Hadley are hellbent on going after Syria:

US 'seeks new Syrian leader' as pressure mounts | FT by Guy Dinmore - Oct. 9, 2005 |

As it steps up pressure on Damascus, the US is actively seeking an alternative who would take over from President Bashar al-Assad, according to sources close to the Bush administration.

Washington has consulted its allies in an inter-agency search co-ordinated by Stephen Hadley, the president's national security adviser. The US is also said to be considering military strikes on the Syrian border in response to its alleged support for Iraqi insurgents.

Syria is being Set Up to Fail: A Leaked Letter from Washington | Joshua Landis - Oct. 23, 2005 |

Here is a most extraordinary letter from Syria's Ambassador in Washington Imad Mustapha to Congresswoman Sue Kelly, which has come into my possession. It explains how the American Administration has been stonewalling Syrian cooperation on a host of issues. It explains how Syria is being set up to fail so that the US can isolate it and carry out a process of regime-change at the expense of Iraqi stability and the lives of American soldiers and Iraqi civilians. It explains how the US administration's policy of forcing regime change in Syria is trumping the need to save lives in Iraq.

I also have the letter written by Congresswoman Sue Kelly, and signed by 100 fellow congressmen, which was originally sent to Ambassador Mustapha on Sept. 30, 2005 and which elicited this reply. It is short and reiterates the usual administration complaints about the lack of Syrian cooperation with the war on terror and effort to stabilize Iraq. I have not had the time to type it in - but it is a demonstration of the US government's failure to appreciate how it is being railroaded by the administration into a confrontation with Syria. One must read Imad Mustapha's response, copied here, to appreciate just how the railroading is taking place.

For over a year Syria has been trying to cooperate with the West on the Iraq border, on the issue of terrorism finance, on the issue of stopping Jihadists from getting into Syria, on intelligence sharing, and on stabilizing Iraq. 

Washington has consistently refused to take "Yes" as an answer. Why?

The only credible reason is because Washington wants regime change in Syria. The US administration is sacrificing American soldiers in Iraq in order to carry out its program of "reforming the Greater Middle East." Two US policies are clashing head to head - the one is stabilizing Iraq and the other is the reform of the greater Middle East. President Bush is placing his democracy policy over his Iraq policy. This is costing American and Iraqi lives.

The world press has failed to get this story, although it has been staring them in the face for months. Human rights activists in Syria have documented for a long time how Syria is arresting Islamists, cracking down on Syrians who go to Iraq to fight by arresting their family members and jailing the fighters when they return from Iraq. Read Razan Zeitouneh's story about Syria's "Preemptive War" against Islamists here.

The Syrian secret police have been terrorizing would be terrorists in Syria for many months now.

The US has cut off all intelligence sharing with Syria despite repeated Syrian attempts to cooperate on this most important issue. Rumsfeld refused a Syria delegation of top border officials permission to meet with their Iraq and American counterparts just two months ago.

 

We all know the developments from Abu Ghraib detention, Camp Cropper and Bucca prison camp which led to tens of thousands radicalized Sunni fighters forming the roots of the Islamic State ... ISIL - ISIS in alliances with Al Nusra and AQI - Al Qaeda in Iraq.

ISIS: the inside story | The Guardian - Dec. 11, 2014 |

Many, many diaries of mine for over a decade on intervention and regime change by Bush and Obama from 2003 in Iraq to 2011 in Libya and Syria. One common American denominator was Senator, later VP and today President Joe Biden. Neo-conservative agenda for NWO in the Middle East.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Apr 16th, 2023 at 01:06:44 PM EST
You fu*ker ... stay away from smearing Bernie Sanders ... he should kick your a$$ and throw you out of G*d's Temple.

Joe Biden and his Democratic lot are brutal Israel apologists ... return of fascism.

A long time coming for ugly occupation, brutal murders of civilians and keeping a non-Democratic state for 75 years ... infamy for future Jewish generations.

  • US Joe Biden Partners with Israel in Gaza Carnage | May 17th, 2021 |
  • New Fascist Pariah States America and Israel Lashing Out | Jun 20th, 2018 |
  • During the Clinton administration Al Qaeda grew into a menace for the Global Order by their terror attacks on the WTC in 1993, the twin bombing of U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 and the attack on the USS Cole anchored with lowered defenses near Aden in Yemen.

    How the attacks of 9/11 has changed not only the face of the world by wars and millions of victims and a record number of refugees and displaced persons from North Africa, the Middle East and in the AfPak region. None of the imperial military campaign by the mightiest sword of America has done much good, much more evil has come from it. The effort after the Great War of 1939-1945 to maintain International Law and Human Rights has been undone.  



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Apr 16th, 2023 at 03:59:53 PM EST
We Share Their Moral Values ... Israel | July 24, 2014 |

BREAKING NEWS: 'Appalled' by attack on UN-run school in Gaza, Ban urges halt to all fighting

Both nations are morally bankrupt. The U.S. has their school of the Americas with training in death squads and torture. This has been known especially after the investigation and report by the Church Commission.

After 9/11 devastation Ariel Sharon and George Bush joined forces to pronounce an all-out War On Terror (WOT)TM. This was not just on the enemy that attacked New York, Pennsylvania and Washington but included Fatah, Hamas and Hezbollah. The neocons created their war of civilizations and we stood by and let it happen. See all the Islamophobes funded and supported by the terror state Israel and its minions.

I wasn't surprised that the U.N. school with civilians was targeted. This happens in every battle Israel engages with its neighbors, so it's planned and not by accident. It's part of political and military strategy. Netanyahu was pissed at the United Nations and SG Ban Ki-moon for his condemnation of the number of civilian deaths in Gaza.

    Netanyahu directly responded to Ban regarding the two-state solution option, saying that Hamas is just another manifestation of violent, Islamic extremist organizations like Islamic State, al-Qaida, Hezbollah or Boko Haram. Hamas's grievance, he said, "is that we exist. They don't want a two state solution. They don't want any solution."

The UNHRC decided to start an investigation into war crimes in Gaza by both Hamas and the IDF. Much to the disgust of Netanyahu, his master Ariel Sharon knew hoe to react. The vicious attack on civilians was a 'price-tag' for U.N. Interference.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Apr 16th, 2023 at 04:51:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
One-off the VERY BEST writings and analysis of contemporary transatlantic relations America and Europe ... with some hard facts!

Authors ECFR by Jana Puglierin and Jeremy Shapiro

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Fri Apr 21st, 2023 at 05:08:11 PM EST
Why China Is Trying to Mediate in Russia's War with Ukraine | April 27,, 2023 |

Wednesday's statement warned against the dangers of nuclear war, suggesting Beijing might also have been motivated by what it sees as the growing danger of a more destructive conflict.

Mediating between Ukraine and Russia would increase China's presence in Eastern Europe, where Beijing has tried to build ties with other governments. That has prompted complaints by some European officials that China is trying to gain leverage over the European Union.

Political science professor Kimberly Marten of Barnard College at Columbia University in New York doubted China would succeed in a peacemaker role.

"I have a hard time believing that China can act as peacemaker," she said, adding that Beijing has been "too close to Russia."



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by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 08:30:24 PM EST


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 08:31:26 PM EST
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Biden offered threats, no diplomacy ...

Biden, Putin square off as tension grows on Ukraine border | Dec. 8, 2021 |

Face to face for over two hours, President Joe Biden and Russia's Vladimir Putin squared off in a secure video call as the U.S. president put Moscow on notice that an invasion of Ukraine would bring sanctions and enormous harm to the Russian economy.

Putin, for his part, came into the meeting seeking guarantees from Biden that the NATO military alliance will never expand to include Ukraine, which has long sought membership. The Americans and their NATO allies said that request was a non-starter.

There appeared to be no immediate breakthroughs to ease tensions on the Ukraine question, as the U.S. emphasized a need for diplomacy and de-escalation and issued stern threats to Russia on the consequences of an invasion.

Biden "told President Putin directly that if Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States and our European allies would respond with strong economic measures," U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said after the call.

Blinken and NATO In Latvia for Pow-Wow | Dec. 1, 2021 |

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by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 08:32:57 PM EST
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by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 09:34:38 PM EST



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by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 09:37:43 PM EST
DPP, US link Ukraine crisis with Taiwan island, will only 'draw China, Russia closer' | Feb. 14, 2022 |

As tensions rise in Ukraine and attract the world's attention, Taiwan, an island that has been largely ignored for a while, has begun to link its discourse to the Ukrainian crisis, along with collaboration from some US officials who recently claimed that the Biden administration believes that the US' response to the Ukrainian crisis would be seen as a "proxy" for how it would respond to the Taiwan question. 

Chinese experts pointed out that the US and the Taiwan authority's hype is nothing but a game of political calculations as the island needs to assuage its anxieties about being a pawn that could be discarded by the US, while Washington, now less powerful, wants to make more economic and military gains by fabricating a war crisis.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 09:39:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Ongoing Sino-American Relations

Regarding Chinese actions and inaction, Beijing's public presentation of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict has generally mirrored Moscow's explanation for the invasion, claiming that it stemmed from Russia's reaction to constant Western pressure, especially NATO's expansion to and encroachment on areas adjacent to Russia. Yet Beijing has been reluctant to side completely with Moscow's position. It has consistently and publicly professed its support for the principle of sovereignty for all states. Moscow's recognition of the two breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk, is concerning to Beijing because of the obvious parallel to Taiwan. For Beijing to show support for Russia on this issue would undermine its own position on Taiwan. Specifically, the secession of eastern Ukraine--and, earlier, of Crimea from Ukraine--could provide fodder for those supporting Taiwan's independence, and Russia's recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk could provide a legal precedent for the US to do the same for Taiwan.

This said, the Russo-Ukrainian war came at a propitious time for Beijing. Before this episode, Washington had been clearly "pivoting" to Asia, with a focus on rallying China's neighbors to oppose Beijing. US officials have been transparent in designating China as the US's main competitor, or even adversary, in international relations. Many have professed that policies intended to engage China and transform it into a more cooperative and congenial "responsible stakeholder" have failed, and that it is time to take a tougher stance against Beijing (see e.g. Campbell and Rapp-Hooper 2020). Significantly, even though sharp partisan divisions usually characterize politics in Washington, Republicans and Democrats generally agree on this policy of confronting China. The Russo-Ukrainian conflict has, at least for now, weakened the push in Washington to single out China as the US's chief opponent in a global struggle for influence, and disrupted the Biden administration's attempt to shift attention and resources from Europe and the Middle East to East Asia in a campaign to contain Beijing's influence.

Before this war, Washington had increased its political and military support for Taipei, a position implying greater support for an independent Taiwan, at the same time that it claimed to oppose any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. On October 21, 2021, when asked whether Washington would come to Taiwan's defense if it were attacked by China, president Joe Biden said, "Yes, we have a commitment to do that." The White House, however, quickly walked back Biden's statement, indicating that there has not been any change in the US policy of "strategic ambiguity" which declines to commit Washington to any future course of action (Widakuswara 2021).



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by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 09:39:49 PM EST
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by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 09:41:26 PM EST
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by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 09:42:11 PM EST
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President Zelenskyy congratulated President Xi on his re-election and commended China for its remarkable achievements. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of President Xi, China will successfully address various challenges and continue to move forward. China upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter in international affairs and has significant influence on the international stage. The Ukrainian side is committed to the one-China policy, and hopes to advance all-round bilateral cooperation with China, open up a new chapter in Ukraine-China relations, and jointly safeguard world peace and stability.

UA 🇺🇦 is committed to the one-China 🇨🇳 policy, according to readout telephone call. [CN version]

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by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 27th, 2023 at 09:43:31 PM EST
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by Oui (Oui) on Sun May 7th, 2023 at 07:14:33 PM EST


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by Oui (Oui) on Sun May 7th, 2023 at 07:15:59 PM EST


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by Oui (Oui) on Sun May 7th, 2023 at 07:17:24 PM EST
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Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan: Pakistan entering the WORST FORM of fascism!



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by Oui (Oui) on Thu May 11th, 2023 at 04:26:56 PM EST


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by Oui (Oui) on Thu May 11th, 2023 at 04:27:56 PM EST
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by Oui (Oui) on Thu May 11th, 2023 at 04:30:44 PM EST
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Pentagon and CIA are close to Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) ....

The C.I.A.'s Maddening Relationship with Pakistan | The New Yorker - Jan. 12, 2010 |

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by Oui (Oui) on Thu May 11th, 2023 at 04:32:12 PM EST
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The US should be held accountable': Guantánamo survivor on the war on terror's failure | The Guardian - Aug. 16, 2021 |

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by Oui (Oui) on Thu May 11th, 2023 at 06:51:30 PM EST
Poland and Lithuania ... EU and our moral values 😡

Mr. Zayn Al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn (a.k.a. Abu Zubaydah) v Lithuania | Int'l Crimes database |

Lithuania cooperated with the program by allowing the transfer of suspected terrorists through its territory. An alleged member of al-Qaeda, Mr. Zayn Al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn (known as Abu Zubaydah) was held in a black site known as "Detention Site Violet" where he was subjected to solitary confinement, hooding, and other forms of ill-treatment.

The European Court of Human Rights found that Lithuanian authorities clearly knew the purpose of the black site and the likelihood of Abu Zubaydah's being tortured. The Court concluded that by enabling the transfer of Abu Zubaydah to and from the site, Lithuania was equally responsible for his ill-treatment.



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by Oui (Oui) on Thu May 11th, 2023 at 06:52:25 PM EST
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by Oui (Oui) on Thu May 11th, 2023 at 06:53:18 PM EST
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