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Asia Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asia Times
NATO faces make-or-break decision on a post-US future
NATO is facing a pivotal moment in its history. Ahead of its June 24-25 summit in The Hague, NATO is weighing up whether it can truly continue to count on US support (and membership), whether it will become a European-only organization, or whether it has a future at all. This suggests a massive shift for the intergovernmental organization that sits at the heart of defense and security for Europe, and beyond. The past year has changed everything. Trump's anti-NATO rhetoric has become increasingly vociferous and disrespectful, undermining both the organization itself, and the other 31 NATO member countries, which include Germany, France, Canada, Turkey, the UK, Sweden and Norway. Add to this the Trump administration's embrace of international isolationism, and the potential, consequential loss of clear US backing for the alliance, all of which highlight the organization's historical dependence on the US. This is what makes the June 2025 summit so critical. It is a make-or-break opportunity to unveil a plan for NATO's wholesale transformation, or an event conclusively marking its obsolescence. The plan itself is simple: build – or rebuild – NATO as a possible Europe-only endeavor. If this plan becomes reality, historians of European security and defense may spot earlier parallels for NATO with the original Western European Union (WEU). The WEU was the European defense security structure established in 1954 under the Paris Accords, which helped to redefine relations with West Germany. Ultimately subsumed into both NATO and EU governance structures, the WEU's prime goal at the time was to bolster the European content of the Atlantic alliance. There is a deep irony in Trump's bluster about NATO states paying more towards their defense. The US has, for decades, been sanguine at best, and hostile at worst on almost every form of European defense autonomy, from basic operationss established by the EU to more ambitious strategies. Instead, the US has insisted almost exclusively on increased defense spending by other NATO members, improved interoperability between the various national forces, but all 'in furtherance of a US-dominated alliance', rather than a more authentically US-European approach to safeguarding both European and American interests, according to Max Bergman, a former senior adviser to the US State Department. What is the future of NATO? If the US is now reducing its involvement in NATO, or abdicating entirely, the only option for NATO is to reduce its dependence on the US, and in doing so, to focus more on Europe. A clear mandate is needed to ensure that being US-less does not render NATO itself useless. Without a mandate, opportunistic space would quickly open up for an aggressive Russia. Trump made clear early in his first administration that he was no fan of NATO, and argued that its funding structure should no longer overburden the US. In his second administration, Trump has been even clearer, has variously threatened to pull US troops from NATO joint exercises, reduce US security commitments to NATO as a whole, remove some or all of the 80,000 US troops on permanent rotation in Europe and vastly reduce the US's contribution to NATO's central budget of US$5 billion. These threats are now repeated routinely by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others in the Trump administration. This has profoundly rattled NATO as an institution and its individual member states. As NATO's own records show, from 2023 onward, there have been major increases in European defense spending. But the opportunity to keep spending commitments high, as well as overhaul the organzsation to meet Ukraine's demands and defense opportunities for the EU as a whole – which could have been nailed onto NATO's 75th anniversary summit in 2024 – did not materialize. There are pros and cons of a new Europe-focused approach for NATO, and these will work themselves out in the final five-to-ten-year plan, which is being prepared ahead of the June summit. For some, building a European defense mission within NATO is an opportunity to plot a new and more sustainable course for NATO, rather than trying to shore up an expanding US-shaped hole. Spending increases that reduce NATO's perceived helplessness, or reliance on the US, may also be a benefit. For others, the removal of US command and control, hardware, software, intelligence and much more from NATO is a futile endeavor that will leave the organization in pieces at best, and present Russia with a golden opportunity for continued eastern aggression at worst. The signals from Washington remain confusing. Trump's suggestion of a sudden and total US withdrawal from European defense was tempered in April by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's suggestion that Trump remained supportive of NATO but also demanding expanded spending commitments (these demands vary from 2.5% to 5% of GDP), and for other members to take on far greater responsibility for developing NATO's capabilities. Many members now support the emerging 'coalition of the willing', led by France and Britain, to underwrite a force and secure a post-conflict deal for Ukraine. In figuring out the current provision of military force, including logistics and intelligence capacities in addition to air, land and sea forces, NATO members are aiming to remove the US's presence and fill the vacuum with European assets over a decade. The task is colossal, and not without risks. NATO does not want an overnight abdication of the US, as it currently relies far too heavily upon US capabilities, such as long-range precision missiles, and crucially, heavy-lift aircraft, which are vital in shifting armored forces around the continent rapidly. NATO also wants a clear plan, which new member Finland has emphasized as crucial, to prevent an abrupt and disjointed transition that Russia could exploit. A new vision must be set out by the end of June in order to deal sensibly with ongoing defense spending commitments, reworked governance structures, and possible planned responses to the war in Ukraine. Scrapping NATO is unnecessary and leaves Europe – and the US, if the White House could but see far enough ahead – open to innumerable threats and consequences. Even without the US, NATO provides a valuable structure for security cooperation in Europe. Strengthening European capabilities within NATO, rather than creating an entirely new defense structure, makes sense. Amelia Hadfield is head of Department of Politics, University of Surrey This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Foreign lorry drivers forced to plaster vans with signs to deter migrants trying to sneak into soft touch Britain
Some migrants still sneak on board, only to find themselves still in mainland Europe when they get off SIGNS OF THE TIMES Foreign lorry drivers forced to plaster vans with signs to deter migrants trying to sneak into soft touch Britain Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOREIGN lorries are being plastered with stickers saying they do not go to the UK — to deter migrants from trying to sneak on board. HGV drivers who operate only in Europe put up the notices to warn there is no chance of a free ride across the Channel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Foreign lorries are trying to deter migrants from sneaking on board by using signs in both English and French One truck in Latvia — 900 miles from Calais — was spotted with the black and yellow signs declaring: 'We don't go to UK.' The warning was repeated underneath in French, amid a rise in attempted illegal lorry crossings. Other Europe-only hauliers are also using the signs on their fleets. But some migrants still sneak on board, only to find themselves still in mainland Europe when they get off. A source said: 'The fact they have to tell migrants they aren't going to the UK shows exactly how in-demand Britain is as a destination. "They know the UK gives them the best treatment and will stop at nothing to come over.' Figures show there were 5,874 detections of illegal immigrants at ports on the continent, including Calais, Dunkirk and the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles. It is a rise of 22 per cent compared with 4,794 in 2023. While migrants crossing the Channel are easily recorded, lorry stowaways may reach the UK undetected. Many go on to obtain illegal cash-in-hand work or claim asylum and be housed in a hotel. The Sun watches as hundreds of illegal migrants arrive at Dover
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Foreign lorry drivers forced to plaster vans with signs to deter migrants trying to sneak into soft touch Britain
FOREIGN lorries are being plastered with stickers saying they do not go to the UK — to deter migrants from trying to sneak on board. HGV drivers who operate only in Europe put up the notices to warn there is no chance of a free ride across the Channel. Advertisement 2 Foreign lorries are trying to deter migrants from sneaking on board by using signs in both English and French One truck in Latvia — 900 miles from Calais — was spotted with the black and yellow signs declaring: 'We don't go to UK.' The warning was repeated underneath in French, amid a rise in attempted Other Europe-only hauliers are also using the signs on their fleets. But some migrants still sneak on board, only to find themselves still in mainland Europe when they get off. Advertisement A source said: 'The fact they have to tell migrants they aren't going to the UK shows exactly how in-demand Britain is as a destination. "They know the UK gives them the best treatment and will stop at nothing to come over.' Figures show there were 5,874 detections of illegal immigrants at ports on the continent, including Calais, Dunkirk and the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles. It is a rise of 22 per cent compared with 4,794 in 2023. Advertisement Most read in The Sun While migrants crossing the Channel are easily recorded, lorry stowaways may reach the UK undetected. Many go on to obtain illegal cash-in-hand work or claim asylum and be The Sun watches as hundreds of illegal migrants arrive at Dover 2 Some migrants still sneak on board despite the signs Credit: Jamie Lorriman - The Sun
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I Drove My Audi A3 E-Tron 20,000 Miles In 6 Months, Here's How It Went
When I accidentally purchased a 65,000 mile plug-in hybrid German hatchback with no warranty back in August of last year, I was optimistic—though not entirely convinced—that my ownership experience would be largely positive. After running back and forth across this great nation five times in the last six months, my 2016 Audi A3 E-Tron has proven that it might just be the greatest road tripper/daily driver I've ever owned. Despite the few struggles I had with wrenching on this machine, all due to my own dumb*ss mistakes, it has served dutifully in fuel-sipping fealty. My goal with this car was always to rack up the miles, but I didn't quite expect to add this many of them quite so quickly. I don't think I have ever added 20,000 miles to a car so quickly, but pushing the odometer on this little plug-in hybrid from 65,000 to over 85,000 now has to come with some side effects, right? Everyone always says German cars without warranties are bad ideas, so how has it been? With Volkswagen's venerable 1.4T engine and a small electric motor under the hood, this little machine makes a combined 201 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough for me to consider this a warm hatchback. This is the same platform and drivetrain found in the Europe-only Volkswagen GTE, after all. It'll run from 0-60 in 7.6 seconds, which is certainly quick enough for modern traffic. Aside from a few cosmetic modifications and regular oil changes, this car hasn't asked me for anything. So long as I keep it fed with electrons and driven responsibly, it returns either 20-25 miles of full-electric city driving, 50-60 miles per gallon in hybrid mode, or high-30s to low 40s with a totally flat battery. Because I've spent at least two thirds of my drive time on long interstate hauls, it's unfortunately been a lot of the latter. The more city driving I do, the higher the average MPG score it returns, obviously. Read more: Hertz Is Selling Its Fleet Of Rental Tesla Model 3s For Cheap In the time I've owned this car I have purchased two different sets of wheels and tires—one for summer, one for winter—installed lowering springs, swapped the grilles to give the car an S3-style look, popped on a pair of Audi Ur-Quattro door decals, and added a pair of Hella fog lights. I really like how the car looks now, but if I had to do it over, I probably wouldn't have done the Hella fog lights because this move meant I had to cut out too much of the grille to make everything fit and that resulted in a grille that is a little too loose and floppy for my taste. This summer I might take the bumper off again and try again with a new grille. We'll see how I feel about it once the weather warms up. The ECS Tuning lowering springs I installed are just a smidge on the too-stiff side, but the car just looks so much better with an inch and a half taken out of its ride height that I can't complain about it. It's only really bad when I spend three days in a row ripping across the country on I-80 feeling every single one of its expansion joints in my spine. Sometimes beauty comes with a little pain. The only flaw I have been able to find in this car across six months of nearly constantly being behind the wheel is the clear coat on the hood (above). I had plans to get it to my paint guy last fall, but ended up needing to run it way more miles than I had planned after our Cayenne pooped out its high pressure fuel pump in October. The three small holes in the car's clear coat have turned into two small holes and one really big one. I'll get this rectified soon, but for now it hasn't been causing any deeper issues, so I let it go for a few months. As many of you pointed out in the comments of the brake caliper post, the rotors are looking a little worse for wear, so perhaps I'll get them resurfaced in the coming months, but right now it's hardly a drivability issue as they don't squeak or grind and a good bit of the braking is done by energy recovery anyway. Equally, I probably should have installed new shocks and struts when I had the suspension apart, because the rears in particular are getting a bit bouncy. That's to be expected with 85,000 miles on the odometer, I suppose. The only minor annoyance I've found, and this is really picking nits, is that every once in a while if I shift out of park too quickly after hitting the start button, the car kind of has a minor freak out and won't go anywhere, so I have to turn it off and turn it back on. This isn't so much an issue with the car but an issue with my patience. I have learned to wait an additional half second for the computers to boot up before slapping the shifter into reverse, and it hasn't happened since. Unfortunately, that's kind of the whole list. Like I said back in late August when I picked it up, I think I got lucky. The interior still looks the same, packed with chocolatey goodness, though it's a little on the dirty side right now. The fuel mileage has been pretty great. The car looks good, drives good, and feels good. It's a good car, and well worth every penny of the $11,575 I paid for it. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
At $16,500, Could This 2012 Ford Transit Connect XLT Connect With Your Cash?
According to the seller, today's Nice Price or No Dice Transit Connect "Looks and smells showroom new." Let's decide if its price passes the stink test as well. No one likes a tease. That is abundantly true. It's just totally unfair to tempt us with something only to leave us crestfallen with the discovery that we can't have it. That was much the case with our last outing, which featured a 2005 Subaru Baja with a turbo engine and a manual shifter. That car had been outfitted as an overlander and was shown in the ad with a literal cherry on top in the form of a roof rack tent. That pop-top was not offered in the sale, which made the Baja's $12,750 wholly unpalatable for the vast majority of you once the car's other flaws were considered. The result was an 80 percent No Dice loss. I'm curious: how many of you never considered "living in a van, down by the river" until Chris Farley brought a newfound appeal to such a prospect with his Matt Foley character on SNL? Today, we're going to look at a 2012 Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon, which is clean enough and sufficiently new-looking that it might actually live up to the posh demands of river-view living. Read more: Ram Will Still Sell You A Brand-New, 16-Year-Old Truck Ford's modern minivan has an interesting history here in America. Introduced here in 2010 after eight years as a Europe-only model, the vans left their Gölcük, Turkey factory as passenger vans with windows and a back seat. Once hitting the docks in Baltimore, Maryland, those elements were stripped out and handed off to the recyclers, replaced by metal walls and no back seat. This was all an attempt to circumvent the 25 percent import tariff (the infamous "Chicken Tax") that had long been levied on light commercial vehicles. Ford spent years in court trying to defend this practice, eventually having its hand forced when declining sales for all sorts of small vans here in the States ended Transit Connect imports entirely. Another interesting bit of Transit Connect history is that the current one, rebadged as the Toureno Connect and still sold outside the U.S., isn't even a Ford at all, but is a re-badged version of VW's entrant in the category, the Caddy van. That's all water under the bridge, or by the river, as it were, since this Transit Connect was first sold. It also didn't suffer the ignominy of having its innards ripped out and its windows boarded over as this model—the XLT Premium Wagon—was sold here as a passenger vehicle and hence avoided the 25 percent tariff from the get-go. Ford's intent with this model was to target taxi services and ride-shares. The model has five seats and seatbelts along with windows all around, but trades the typical minivan third row for a cavernous load area. Those rear seats can be removed to make the cargo space even bigger. Ford only sold the XLT in high-roof, long wheelbase form, so there's plenty of room to spread out and even wear a hat in here. You might want to doff that chapeau in honor of this 30,000-mile XLT's condition, which the ad touts as having "Not a single flaw." This is also a bit more posh than the van versions, having been outfitted with larger alloy wheels, cruise control, and standard AirCon. On the outside, the silver paint appears to be in excellent condition and is nicely complimented by the standard black plastic trim on the wheel arches and rub strips. Sliding doors on both sides provide excellent access to the rear seats—or to remove them. Those seats, along with the front buckets, are upholstered in a funky-patterned cloth fabric. That, and all the interior plastics, show absolutely zero signs of wear. There was only one drivetrain available in these, a 2.0-liter, 236 horsepower Duratec four and four-speed automatic driving the front wheels. It's nothing exciting, but does offer combined mileage in the mid-20s. Per the ad, the van's mechanicals are up to snuff as well, as both engine and gearbox have recently received a full fluid and filter service. Other incentives include a clean title and current registration. The seller calls this an "unusual 2012 Transit Connect," which seems accurate seeing as very few non-commercial versions were sold here and fewer than that have been kept in museum-quality condition as this one seemingly has. Could that make its $16,500 asking price a workable deal What do you say? Is this rare but kinda weird Transit Connect worth that kind of cash? Or is that way too much, even just to honor Chris Farley's memory? You decide! Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears. Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up via email and send me a fixed-price tip. Read the original article on Jalopnik.
