"America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.”
February 27, 2025 2:06 PM Subscribe
George Monbiot in The Guardian; The question no one dares ask: what if Britain has to defend itself from the US
M. Veera Pandiyan in Asia News; Imminent end to proxy war. Europe in limbo as former bitter enemies US and Russia work towards cooperation under a new global order.
Stephen Walt in Foreign Policy; Yes, America Is Europe’s Enemy Now.
France Offers European Nuclear Shield with Rafale Jets in Germany After Meeting with US President.
M. Veera Pandiyan in Asia News; Imminent end to proxy war. Europe in limbo as former bitter enemies US and Russia work towards cooperation under a new global order.
Stephen Walt in Foreign Policy; Yes, America Is Europe’s Enemy Now.
France Offers European Nuclear Shield with Rafale Jets in Germany After Meeting with US President.
From the "The She Made Him Do It Theory of Everything" post
"Putin seems intent on recovering what he perceives as the power and glory of the Soviet Union by annexing Ukraine (and annihilating its example to Russians of a former Soviet Republic becoming a functioning democracy with political freedoms for its citizens). The 2014 invasion of Crimea followed the ouster of the pro-Russian thug Putin helped put in the presidency (his name was Viktor Yanukovych, and his campaign was masterminded by Paul Manafort, who then turned around to help Trump get elected; Yanukovych fled to Russia when Ukrainians rose up against him)."
posted by krisjohn at 3:03 PM on February 27 [7 favorites]
"Putin seems intent on recovering what he perceives as the power and glory of the Soviet Union by annexing Ukraine (and annihilating its example to Russians of a former Soviet Republic becoming a functioning democracy with political freedoms for its citizens). The 2014 invasion of Crimea followed the ouster of the pro-Russian thug Putin helped put in the presidency (his name was Viktor Yanukovych, and his campaign was masterminded by Paul Manafort, who then turned around to help Trump get elected; Yanukovych fled to Russia when Ukrainians rose up against him)."
posted by krisjohn at 3:03 PM on February 27 [7 favorites]
Yeah, I was going to point out that the Asia News article takes a really weird turn.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 3:07 PM on February 27 [1 favorite]
posted by Big Al 8000 at 3:07 PM on February 27 [1 favorite]
the Asia News article takes a really weird turn
Nothing wierd about if you have been seen any pro BRICS propaganda. Straight up imperialist lies.
posted by CynicalKnight at 4:12 PM on February 27 [6 favorites]
Nothing wierd about if you have been seen any pro BRICS propaganda. Straight up imperialist lies.
posted by CynicalKnight at 4:12 PM on February 27 [6 favorites]
I am not generally conspiracy oriented, but I think it's pretty likely that organized crime has coopted and)/r subborned a large percentage of the ultra wealthy. From the corruption of being able to launder illegal investments to the blackmail of Jeffrey Epstein,* the richest and most powerful people in the world are all basically fungus-zombie ants.
*I mean, he was working FOR somebody, right?
Anyway, this shit is jacked. Nothing is off the table, and the people in positions of privilege are sitting in the deck chairs on the Titanic. It would be funny, but the rest of us are in steerage.
posted by Smedly, Butlerian jihadi at 4:32 PM on February 27 [29 favorites]
*I mean, he was working FOR somebody, right?
Anyway, this shit is jacked. Nothing is off the table, and the people in positions of privilege are sitting in the deck chairs on the Titanic. It would be funny, but the rest of us are in steerage.
posted by Smedly, Butlerian jihadi at 4:32 PM on February 27 [29 favorites]
Too true, Smedly, Butlerian jihadi, too true.
posted by y2karl at 4:49 PM on February 27 [2 favorites]
posted by y2karl at 4:49 PM on February 27 [2 favorites]
Yeah, but if I keep my head down I think I have a real shot at this deck chair rearranging gig. Could really turn things around for me.
posted by No-sword at 6:14 PM on February 27 [21 favorites]
posted by No-sword at 6:14 PM on February 27 [21 favorites]
I AM THE CHAIR ATTENDANT
but you may comb the lifejackets of their accumulated and various lints?
posted by ginger.beef at 7:09 PM on February 27 [3 favorites]
but you may comb the lifejackets of their accumulated and various lints?
posted by ginger.beef at 7:09 PM on February 27 [3 favorites]
I am not generally conspiracy oriented, but I think it's pretty likely that organized crime has coopted and)/r subborned a large percentage of the ultra wealthy.
The ultra-wealthy are the organised crime. They have suborned the legislature. No conspiracy, it's just corporate capture taken to the extreme.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:10 PM on February 27 [32 favorites]
The ultra-wealthy are the organised crime. They have suborned the legislature. No conspiracy, it's just corporate capture taken to the extreme.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:10 PM on February 27 [32 favorites]
Can't wait for the sanctions on the USA.
You thought tariffs were stupid? There is no depth to the stupid of this administration.
posted by pthomas745 at 7:35 PM on February 27 [10 favorites]
You thought tariffs were stupid? There is no depth to the stupid of this administration.
posted by pthomas745 at 7:35 PM on February 27 [10 favorites]
Top 10 happiest countries in the world
posted by torokunai2 at 7:43 PM on February 27 [10 favorites]
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
Israel(fuck these guys)- Netherlands
- Norway
- Luxembourg
- Switzerland
- Australia
posted by torokunai2 at 7:43 PM on February 27 [10 favorites]
Frankly, this feels a bit like... Jerry Pournell's "CoDominion" series, except... 50 years late.
posted by kschang at 12:09 AM on February 28 [1 favorite]
posted by kschang at 12:09 AM on February 28 [1 favorite]
Russia could have transitioned from big-C Communism to the Norwegian model of state enterprises running the primary sector, but they fucked that up in the 1990s
It’s my understanding that both forces from within the Russian state - who became oligarchs- and outside the state (mainly American corporations) argued strongly that free market capitalism was the way to go.
posted by The River Ivel at 1:32 AM on February 28 [8 favorites]
It’s my understanding that both forces from within the Russian state - who became oligarchs- and outside the state (mainly American corporations) argued strongly that free market capitalism was the way to go.
posted by The River Ivel at 1:32 AM on February 28 [8 favorites]
Russia could have transitioned from big-C Communism to the Norwegian model of state enterprises running the primary sector, but they fucked that up in the 1990s
It’s my understanding that both forces from within the Russian state - who became oligarchs- and outside the state (mainly American corporations) argued strongly that free market capitalism was the way to go.
This bothered me endlessly back in the day, but it is worth reading Anne Applebaum to learn more about the whole situation. Her perspective is more Polish, and of course not corrupt, but reading her articles and essays has helped me make sense of it all over the years.
Anyway, I worry a lot about the British. Not British people, but British politicians and officials seem shell-shocked, delusional and thus not really able to handle this new reality. I'm hoping they will understand that now they need to move closer to Europe, but what's happening makes me feel they are moving closer to the US. It's insane and also dangerous. Not only for Europe but specially for the UK. Starmer is such an institutionalist, and I admire him for that, but when an institution (NATO) is broken, you can't cling to it.
posted by mumimor at 3:34 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
It’s my understanding that both forces from within the Russian state - who became oligarchs- and outside the state (mainly American corporations) argued strongly that free market capitalism was the way to go.
This bothered me endlessly back in the day, but it is worth reading Anne Applebaum to learn more about the whole situation. Her perspective is more Polish, and of course not corrupt, but reading her articles and essays has helped me make sense of it all over the years.
Anyway, I worry a lot about the British. Not British people, but British politicians and officials seem shell-shocked, delusional and thus not really able to handle this new reality. I'm hoping they will understand that now they need to move closer to Europe, but what's happening makes me feel they are moving closer to the US. It's insane and also dangerous. Not only for Europe but specially for the UK. Starmer is such an institutionalist, and I admire him for that, but when an institution (NATO) is broken, you can't cling to it.
posted by mumimor at 3:34 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
Anne Applebaum is both relentlessly anti-communist and a terrible historian, just for the record.
posted by adrienneleigh at 3:37 AM on February 28 [5 favorites]
posted by adrienneleigh at 3:37 AM on February 28 [5 favorites]
I agree. But you know, know your enemies....
And in this case, I felt I needed to know the motivations behind what happened after the Soviet Union collapsed
posted by mumimor at 4:23 AM on February 28
And in this case, I felt I needed to know the motivations behind what happened after the Soviet Union collapsed
posted by mumimor at 4:23 AM on February 28
It seems impossible to me that the USSR would ever have moved closer to a social democracy after the terror at the hands of Stalin. Also historically peasants as fodder is the Russian way and that is much closer to an American understanding of empire & nation building. So yeah, none of that ‘oh Russia could have become Norway’ for me, that was never gonna happen.
posted by MirJoy at 4:40 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]
posted by MirJoy at 4:40 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]
To paraphrase Clarke, any sufficiently advanced capitalism is indistinguishable from organised crime.
Starmer's decided it's Airstrip One for us. I love Big Brother!
posted by Acey at 4:47 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]
Starmer's decided it's Airstrip One for us. I love Big Brother!
posted by Acey at 4:47 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]
On the plus side, there is a growing movement to buy European goods and services. This started a little bit during Trump 1. But, for software especially — one area where Europe is most dependent on US products — there just weren't many options.
With Trump 2, things look different. The landscape has shifted. This last week I've been setting up a new entity and I'm just smoothly including EU based alternatives to US products. So far I'm pleasantly surprised at the options, both in quality of the product and their current stage of adoption. It's easy to find websites that list alternatives to make it even easier.
Related: Musk's car company is on a death spiral at the moment, in Europe anyway. I won't make predictions on whether he'll pull out completely, but it has got me thinking wishfully.
Next up: our military industrial complex. A European Army? It can't happen soon enough.
posted by UN at 5:58 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
With Trump 2, things look different. The landscape has shifted. This last week I've been setting up a new entity and I'm just smoothly including EU based alternatives to US products. So far I'm pleasantly surprised at the options, both in quality of the product and their current stage of adoption. It's easy to find websites that list alternatives to make it even easier.
Related: Musk's car company is on a death spiral at the moment, in Europe anyway. I won't make predictions on whether he'll pull out completely, but it has got me thinking wishfully.
Next up: our military industrial complex. A European Army? It can't happen soon enough.
posted by UN at 5:58 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
I could be very wrong but I think it's plausible that Starmer is exploiting his position as the only western democratic leader Trump can (for now) get along with to play for time as Europe frantically tries to rebalance in this unprecedented new environment, and if that is the case I can't say he's wrong to do so. There are things that can only come from the US, for example Ukraine desperately needs the interceptor missiles for Patriot launchers and right now Europe has no production line that can do that (though Germany is trying to build one as fast as it can).
The entire international system built around US hegemony lasted for 80 years and Europe is reacting but this really is a cataclysmic shift and if Starmer needs to play nice to ease the transition it might be worthwhile. Trump's example to the contrary normal diplomatic practice is to say everyone is getting along just fine no matter what sort of ruckus is happening behind closed doors, precisely so you don't limit your options going forward.
I could certainly be wrong, and either way the whole situation is a disaster, but I hope the lesser evil is what's happening.
posted by Wretch729 at 6:47 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
The entire international system built around US hegemony lasted for 80 years and Europe is reacting but this really is a cataclysmic shift and if Starmer needs to play nice to ease the transition it might be worthwhile. Trump's example to the contrary normal diplomatic practice is to say everyone is getting along just fine no matter what sort of ruckus is happening behind closed doors, precisely so you don't limit your options going forward.
I could certainly be wrong, and either way the whole situation is a disaster, but I hope the lesser evil is what's happening.
posted by Wretch729 at 6:47 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
Norwegian defense company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace plans to manufacture missiles for NASAMS air defense systems in Ukraine, aiming to produce hundreds of them, company president Eirik Lie told Euractiv in an interview on February 28.Step by step...
“We are currently establishing a company in Ukraine. We are in close negotiations with representatives of the Ukrainian defense industry to create a joint venture. Our top priority is increasing missile production for our air defense system in Ukraine, utilizing Ukrainian technology,” Lie said.
According to him, the project involves mass missile production and the potential to set up joint ventures with Ukraine within a few months.
“In the long term, once the war ends, Ukraine could become part of the supply chain for air defense missiles. There are many innovations happening in Ukraine right now, and we want to be part of them. It is important for us to be there,” he added.
posted by UN at 7:04 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
A couple other random disconnected thoughts:
For context, Stephen Walt is a BIG name in international studies. He's basically the textbook neorealist, in large part because he wrote a bunch of the textbooks. This is not some random professor. Though he's been warning about cracks in the trans-Atlantic relationship since the late 90s. It's been wild to watch his analysis go from "the United States is the most secure power in history and will remain remarkably secure unless it keeps repeating the errors of the past decade or so" (circa 2013) to the piece linked in the main post above.
GPS! The Monbiot article mentions GPS and so much infrastructure (power grid, stock exchanges)depends on timing signals from GPS, not just positioning data. (See long nerdy pdf here.) The EU has Galileo so it's not like there's no option but Christ switching everything over and losing the redundant backup of GPS if the US decides to fuck around with access is a nightmare all on its own. Just one more example of how much of the infrastructure of the modern world since 1945 is built on the assumption of a benign US hegemon.
posted by Wretch729 at 7:29 AM on February 28 [7 favorites]
For context, Stephen Walt is a BIG name in international studies. He's basically the textbook neorealist, in large part because he wrote a bunch of the textbooks. This is not some random professor. Though he's been warning about cracks in the trans-Atlantic relationship since the late 90s. It's been wild to watch his analysis go from "the United States is the most secure power in history and will remain remarkably secure unless it keeps repeating the errors of the past decade or so" (circa 2013) to the piece linked in the main post above.
GPS! The Monbiot article mentions GPS and so much infrastructure (power grid, stock exchanges)depends on timing signals from GPS, not just positioning data. (See long nerdy pdf here.) The EU has Galileo so it's not like there's no option but Christ switching everything over and losing the redundant backup of GPS if the US decides to fuck around with access is a nightmare all on its own. Just one more example of how much of the infrastructure of the modern world since 1945 is built on the assumption of a benign US hegemon.
posted by Wretch729 at 7:29 AM on February 28 [7 favorites]
Zelensky leaves White House after stunning shouting match with Trump and Vance leaves talks in tatters
The meeting blew up in front of the cameras when the American vice president began lecturing the Ukrainian leader
The meeting blew up in front of the cameras when the American vice president began lecturing the Ukrainian leader
What was supposed to be a triumphant White House visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to mark the signing of a mineral rights deal between the United States and Ukraine devolved into an Oval Office shouting match that ended with a vulgar, grievance-filled rant from President Donald Trump and taunts about Zelensky’s supposed lack of gratitude from Vice President JD Vance.posted by rambling wanderlust at 11:43 AM on February 28
Zelensky left the White House roughly an hour after the emotional eruption, cutting short talks that were supposed to cement an economic relationship between Washington and Kyiv and create a mechanism to repay the billions in American military aid that has been sent to Ukraine since 2022.
The great deal-maker delivers again, slick as ever.
posted by Phanx at 12:10 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
posted by Phanx at 12:10 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
That would not have happened had there been going to be a minerals deal, it probably happened because there wasn't.
Trump's presidency is no longer a reliable ally of the Ukraine or of Europe. China must be ecstatic, this can only work out well for them as the EU, Ukraine, USA and Russia look set to be variously in conflict and will, at the very least, be highly distracted.
posted by epo at 1:04 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
Trump's presidency is no longer a reliable ally of the Ukraine or of Europe. China must be ecstatic, this can only work out well for them as the EU, Ukraine, USA and Russia look set to be variously in conflict and will, at the very least, be highly distracted.
posted by epo at 1:04 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
U.S. Faces Record Agricultural Imports, Worst Trade Deficit in History :)
posted by jeffburdges at 3:07 PM on February 28
posted by jeffburdges at 3:07 PM on February 28
Henry Kissinger — 'It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal.'
posted by maloqueiro at 9:10 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
posted by maloqueiro at 9:10 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
That quote is not original to Kissinger (the original author was Aleksey Efimovich Vandam).
posted by adrienneleigh at 9:27 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
posted by adrienneleigh at 9:27 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
I think the saying now is "America has neither friends nor enemies nor interests.”
Yesterday was the 9/11 of diplomacy. I can't imagine there's anything positive coming from the US after that — and for Europe and Zelensky, is there any point in talking to the Americans on any high level on Ukraine? It's going to be a total waste of time. And there's a war to fight.
posted by UN at 1:27 AM on March 1 [1 favorite]
Yesterday was the 9/11 of diplomacy. I can't imagine there's anything positive coming from the US after that — and for Europe and Zelensky, is there any point in talking to the Americans on any high level on Ukraine? It's going to be a total waste of time. And there's a war to fight.
posted by UN at 1:27 AM on March 1 [1 favorite]
Trump is abandoning Ukraine and wants a weaker EU’: Dominique de Villepin on Europe’s moment of truth.
The former French PM says the US is no longer an ally of Europe – but has joined Russia and China as an ‘illiberal superpower’
posted by adamvasco at 2:17 AM on March 1 [1 favorite]
The former French PM says the US is no longer an ally of Europe – but has joined Russia and China as an ‘illiberal superpower’
posted by adamvasco at 2:17 AM on March 1 [1 favorite]
Weaker EU in the economic sense, since Trump wants NATO countries to spend 5% GDP on defense, which is far more than the US. Most don't even spend 2%. If NATO really spends 5% GDP on defense, their military combined may rival the US in certain areas.
posted by kschang at 1:36 PM on March 6
posted by kschang at 1:36 PM on March 6
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posted by Jon_Evil at 2:45 PM on February 27 [15 favorites]