The US government has put out the call for NATO members to join in the protection of the Strait of Hormuz from the retaliation of Iran after being attacked. But so far, the call has fallen on deaf ears. The main reason for the lack of support is that NATO is a defensive organisation and the majority of the members were not consulted prior to the attacks and the war is considered illegal. And of course, Trump in response to the lack of response has said it will mean "bad things for the future of NATO", as he has threatened before anyway. The thing is, NATO is there to prevent conflict, not escalate or maintain it, so for support to come, it would require a ceasefire of some sort first.
Finland only recently joined NATO, something that I was against due to it being a mechanism of the US and the fact that the EU has its own defence alliances if attacked. The primary reason for so much support in Finland at the time, was and still is Russia, considering there is a very long shared border. However, that support has slipped a bit since the US has been going on the offensive globally in the last year and treating its trade allies very poorly indeed. And I think that while Finland is in it for a long time, the questions are starting to be asked if NATO is the organisation it was or should be.
I think the disruption over the past year has been good for the world, because it is making it very clear that there is not an "in this together" ecosystem and that the US is only going to work in its perceived best interests, with the perception that money is all that matters. As a result, the world has become an increasingly violent place, with all manner of conflicts increasing, whether it be militarily or economically. This forces adaptation, which means looking for new ways to operate, new systems, new channels, new business, new alliances.
As I see it, the EU should be investing into itself and building up local capabilities across all sectors, rather than relying on the US to provide. Goods and services from the US should be taxed appropriately and fully locally where the money is earned, and those goods and services should be increasingly replaced by local alternatives, even if they are not "as good" to begin with. This is because being reliant on the US across sectors leaves the EU open to attack, becoming a slave to its will. The sooner this reliance can be reduced the better, and the more it gets reduced, the weaker the global grip the US has on the rest of the world.
No matter what the country, power corrupts. And the more power individual countries have, the more they will abuse it to grab more power. And for the last ninety-odd years, this is what the US has done and with Trump at the helm, the mask has started to come off faster to expose what most people knew was there all along. Corruption, greed and a desire for more control over everything and everyone. Even in the US, this has become the norm, where people's freedoms are increasingly being encroached upon as they are forced to accept the new normal.
At some point, Trump's presidency ends, however this doesn't mean there is a return to the previous conditions, because that "new normal" takes precedence. And that is a world where the US can no longer be trusted to be a force of good or even best interest of the western world, which means that the rest of the world has to step up and look after itself. As far as the EU goes, there is plenty of potential to ramp up all sectors, including military, as there is plenty of skill and talent to support it. It will take a little time to make the switch, but with the way technology is progressing now, it won't ,take as long as it would have in the past.
And what is interesting is that one of the reasons that the US is so strong with innovation is because they can afford to attract the talent, by milking the rest of the world. If for instance the EU would tax US corporations locally and fully, the profit model for the US service companies especially, changes drastically. When profit margins are reduced, investment capital looks elsewhere, and once that happens, the talent starts to move with it, and the innovation speed increases further. And as that investment potential starts to be spent in Europe, the conditions in Europe become more attractive to live and work, especially since the corporate culture is nowhere near as cutthroat as it is in the US:
The current actions the US highlights why centralisation is such a risk and should be avoided if possible. Centralised authorities wield too much power and will increasingly forget about supporting and maintaining the peripheries. The US is working much like the monopoly of a communist state, where resources are used in an increasingly tight circle, and there is no end to the hunger for more control. It never ends well, and I think that it isn't going to end well for the US either, but people are only really thinking in the short-term of where this leads, and what happens after.
Central authorities always corrupt and fail.
But we live in a world where people are mostly caring for themselves right now and maybe tomorrow. There is little thought put toward what it means for our children or grandchildren, and what the pathway looks like along the way. As I see it, the trend is downward as a society across so many important metrics and it is going to get to the point where the daily life of nearly everyone is negatively affected. If we are honest with ourselves, we are likely all already negatively affected, because profitability comes before wellbeing and the quest for power is the only thing that matters to those who have our resources to chase it.
We can ignore it all, keep our heads down and buried in the sand, but when the world burns, it doesn't matter who started it, or who should put it out, if left unattended like a festering wound, it is going to consume us all.
Taraz
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I don't see Europe becoming competitive with USA any time soon. What you call less cut-throat companies I would call culture allergic to work compared to USA. I guess the only hope for Europe is that it could have AI powered robots doing stuff instead of the local workforce. But would that really be a win? And wouldn't USA get there first anyway?
As far as this mess in Iran. That whole operation is definitely against American interests and is 100% in Israel interest. Unfortunately our senile dictator was persuaded by his tight circle that it would be a quick and easy win that is great for the Republican party during mid-terms, it didn't turn out that way. And now he is desperately trying to force NATO members into it.
Honestly, aside from the political considerations for the ruling party the re-opening of the straight would be more in the interests of European NATO members than the USA. Yes, oil is priced globally, but we already have lower energy prices than Europe and the most expensive gas in the most expensive areas of USA is now around $5.20 a gallon at Costco... I bet Europe would love those prices...
So yes Europeans will delay and make all kinds of statements but will eventually fall in-line... Besides without USA cover for Europe Putin will have zero reservations about taking back ex-soviet block territories as he perceives Europe weak and unable to fight like Ukraine did...
It doesn't need to compete, it needs to replace. All it takes is investing locally instead of buying from the US. 450M buying local services whilst taxing the US service companies completely changes the operating model of the global US companies and the profit margins. And once EU does it, other countries will follow suit, cutting off a lot of capital flow into the US. This fundamentally shifts the way the US currently runs its economy.
Senile or not, he would have done it. The reason is that he wants his name on things and also believes the gravy train of support for the US will not end.
The benefit in Europe however is that it is possible to avoid a lot of driving with public transport, electric vehicles etc. Most Americans can't apparently. And as said, once that local spending and US tax payments go up in Europe, the economy here changes too.
I am not sure he would attack EU. There is a treaty there too - attack one member, all defend.
I think things could get better if we can get through this current administration. They have to right?
You'd think it can't get worse, but I believe it could. Imagine getting a decent president in, but the rest of the world has lost faith and are searching alternatives. It creates more pressure.
If they are a good president they will hopefully mend those relationships.
It would be good. I would much prefer a world where we all worked together for a better humanity. But, no one cares what I prefer :)
I think we might witness the end of nato, Europe countries are starting to rearm, US has shown to be threatening and not reliable, always black mailing with tariffs and such... It might end with US on a side and Europe "alliance" on the other, even though if it keeps going like this will be "Islamic European alliance"
Anyways Trump has broken the vase full of shit and now without riots for a regime change he doesn't know how to get out of this, a ground operation in a 90 milions country in the mountains is a suicide
Not sure. I could see a China Europe alliance however.
But par for the course.
I know that I don't reply often on your post but that doesn't mean I don't read them from time to time.
Concerning the Nato, it was just constructed to have a combined front during the cold war against Russia. While indeed Trump isn't treating the other members as allies, the other countries have neglected the Nato too much. The european countries just ignored the aggreements how much money should be spend in their defense systems. Fair is fait.
But indeed strange that he now is trying to force the Nato countries to protect Hormuz. Like you wrote it isn't our fire.
I don't have any idea if the attack on Iran is justified or not. I just don't have the intel as Trump has and probably also the other Nato countries.
Concerning Europe. While there is a Europe there also isn't a Europe. I really believe that we will be only Europe when we do have a European army. I am not for war at all, but recent history did teach us that we better be prepared. Also we are lacking a combined foreign ministery. We have to be honest, beside our market which every country wants to enter, we do mean nothing in this world.
Currently Europe together with the OECD is building a new tax system for multi nationals. I am curious how this will evolve because the US did withdraw from the agreement (Pillar2).
Also another example that Europe doesn't exist can be found in my post of today. I do live close to the Netherlands and Germany. The prizes of gasoline has an incredible difference. The Dutch can save up to 50 euros to fill up their tank in Belgium in stead of in their own country. So, no for me there is no Europe and I don't think that, at the moment, we could protect ourselves decently against an invasion.
I agree. But I don't think they have neglected NATO, but rather they have neglected to build adequate resources here. Money spent for Nato is nearly always money buying from the US.
Yes. I think this too. There is plenty of skill here to build, but we have to stop buying crap from the US, even if it is slightly better. The thing is, Europe already has a larger force than the US at its disposal, but we haven't invested into it. I would far rather the investment go into clean tech and environmental cleanup, but no one cares what I want.
All it takes is to tax corporations fully in Europe, and things change fast.
Silly, isn't it?
One day trump claims that everything in Iran has been demolished. The next day he is threatening NATO ordering them to join him in his(stupid) war. I think that he is becoming more and more unstable. At this point he really is a second putin. Christians believe in holy trinity. I see the dual stupidity...
Our president said that Lithuania may join America in Iran if we will be needed there. After this claim he lost at least 100 points of respect from me. If we are so willing to fight in wars we should have done more to help the Ukraine. At least that war is at our doorstep. I remember trump himself claiming that war in Ukraine doesn't affect America because they have a lot of water separating them from russia. He also boasted that america in not helping Ukraine- that they were only selling weapons to Europe who were giving them to Ukraine. trump was acting like a leech just a moment ago. But now he wants our help?
I read just before that he said one of the former presidents told him he wishes he had done it, and all the presidents that are alive have denied they even spoke to him recently. :D
Smaller countries will support if they get promised something in return. The thing is, can Trump be trusted to fulfil the promise? I wouldn't trust him in a deal.
Exactly. EU should create more of its own weapons.
Of course, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The path Trump is going is the path many have gone before morphing into full fledged dictators. Well, like it's said: History never repeats itself, humans do.
Have you considered that Russia may be behind the Iranian conflict with the objective to sap the US militarily and economically, just like it's purported the US is doing to Russia through the Ukrainian conflict?
I read elsewhere Trump is proposing to send about 5000 Marines to Iran. It may turn out to be another Vietnam. Maybe Trump forgot the first rule of wars and battles: Never overestimate yourself and never underestimate your enemy.
He was boasting just weeks ago the battle has already been won and now he needs the help of allies. I think he was too sure of himself and the military capabilities of the US.
I love how Nato member nations are standing up to him. It might come to a point where the US is deserted by nearly all its allies. Maybe by that time it begins to seriously consider the option of diplomacy, which they threw aside in their cockiness and rushed into war with Iran.
Well, if you follow the money dating back well over a decade, the US was financing the Russian rebels in Ukraine....
And the people in that area, have a very long memory for revenge.
Spot on. The current state of affairs should be a real eye opener for the EU to start fending for themselves and invest in everything they are outsourcing/relying on. But until now I don't see it happening... maybe soon?
It is unlikely. Those who could force the issue, are beholden to the US.
I think it is important for Europe to put money into local resources and capabilities as relying on outside forces can make them vulnerable.
With the way digital service effect our life, we shouldn't let them monopolise in the US.
i agree that the world is more and more becoming a every man for himself, GET URS.. mentality. self sufficiency has always been at the top of my list.
But, what is "self-sufficient"? most people will never be, other than perhaps being able to buy from others. But is that self-sufficient?
While I was reading this article, I noticed your reputation score. I must say, it's the highest I have seen on Hive. Well done, it can only come from years of constant creation and engagement. You obviously have a passion for writing.
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STOPJ was saying the other day how there was way too much red tape and green tape (I'm not actually opposed to a lot of the green tape but it does make things harder/more expensive) in the way of anyone ever wanting to run a business in Australia. Similar or different over there?