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Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Two bald men fighting over a comb: The UK–Germany ‘alliance'
Only a complete imbecile would trust the British as allies. History offers no example of London taking serious risks for the sake of partnership. On the contrary, Britain's favorite geopolitical sport has long been to encourage continental states to exhaust themselves in battles with stronger adversaries – only for the UK to later emerge as the diplomatic victor. Throwing allies under the bus is tradition, not exception. Which is why it's safe to assume that the German government is fully aware the so-called Kensington Treaty – signed with the UK on July 17, 2025 – is not a serious agreement. There are several reasons for this. First, both countries are NATO members, and only the United States enjoys the freedom to bend bloc rules. Second, neither Britain nor Germany possesses the military resources or political will to rebuild a meaningful defense posture. And third, there's no one for them to fight – at least not credibly. This odd little treaty capped off what was already a turbulent week in global affairs. It began with contradictory statements from US President Donald Trump about Ukraine and ended with yet another Israeli airstrike – this time targeting Syria, where the new regime is battling internal unrest. Amid such chaos, the Berlin-London accord adds the perfect dash of absurdity: a ceremonial nod to 'unity' that distracts from the West's deepening dysfunction. The British and German leaders say their pact covers everything from defense cooperation to environmental policy. In reality, it's a political pantomime. Unlike the raw aggression of Israel or the economic ultimatums coming from Washington, this is Western Europe's softer contribution to the week's geopolitical theatre – a performance full of noise but void of substance. Consider the Israeli strikes on Syria, a continuation of Tel Aviv's self-declared role as 'sheriff of the Middle East.' Israel's foreign policy, once bound by red lines, now seems guided only by brute impulse. Whether such a strategy is sustainable remains to be seen, but its message is clear – and chilling. Then there's President Trump. His recent comments on Russia and the Ukraine conflict suggest a new American approach: shift the entire burden of confronting Moscow onto European allies. The scale of those expected 'costs' is still unknown, but the confusion in European capitals was immediate. Trump's remarks left the EU's biggest players looking disoriented, scrambling to understand what Washington actually expects. For months now, the Western Europeans have played the role of geopolitical extras – sitting through summits, issuing statements, and floating vague proposals like a 'peacekeeping force' for Ukraine. The idea is laughable. Moscow would never allow it, and everyone knows it. Yet these leaders continue to perform, hoping performance alone will pass for policy. Now Trump has called their bluff. He wants cash, troops, commitment. NATO's new Secretary General Mark Rutte – now reborn as an American loyalist – welcomed the idea enthusiastically. But key European capitals balked. France, Italy, and the Czech Republic refused to participate in the new American initiative. France, despite loud rhetoric, has provided only token military aid to Kiev – ten times less than Germany. Italy has given even fewer crumbs. So what do Western Europe's 'leading powers' do instead? They stage a show. Enter the Kensington Treaty. Its breadth is comical: a proposed direct rail link between London and Berlin 'to improve defense capabilities,' plans for school tourism, joint forums on business, and German investment in Britain to create about 600 jobs. This is not geopolitics; it's domestic public relations dressed up as diplomacy. But the core problem runs deeper. For decades now, Western Europe has struggled with a contradiction it cannot resolve. On the one hand, its politicians recognize the need to appear decisive in security matters. On the other, they know that real military action – especially against Russia – is a fantasy. There is no scenario where they could win. So they gesture, but never act. After the launch of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, this tension briefly gave these Western European leaders a sense of purpose. They could speak boldly, posture grandly. But in the three years since, not much has changed. Despite grand declarations and strategy papers, the bloc has failed to meaningfully expand its defense capacity. At most, they might manage to recruit a few thousand mercenaries from impoverished Balkan states to send to the front. Even this is unlikely. Any serious move toward independent military power in Western Europe will immediately trigger scrutiny from Washington. The United States has no intention of allowing its trans-Atlantic partners to act unilaterally – no matter how often it demands they 'do more.' When Trump says the bloc must rearm, he means it should buy American weapons. Not build its own industry, not forge its own path. Just consume US exports. This explains why the supposed 'militarization' of Germany has sparked so much talk but so little change. It isn't about Berlin becoming a threat – it's about Berlin spending more on F-35s. Western Europe remains dependent, constrained, and cautious. Yes, it can still cause harm to Russia in limited ways. But the image its politicians sell to their voters – that of a bold, united, and prepared half-continent – is an illusion. The new Anglo-German treaty is just the latest act in this tragicomic performance. It makes no military sense, no diplomatic sense, and no strategic sense. But it makes perfect political sense – for a Western Europe that is drifting, divided, and desperate to look busy while doing nothing at article was first published by Vzglyad newspaper and was translated and edited by the RT team.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Germany greenlights Taliban consular officials to support Afghan deportations
Berlin: The German government has confirmed that the Taliban will send two consular officials to Germany to assist with the deportation of Afghan nationals, particularly those convicted of serious crimes and rejected asylum seekers, Khaama Press reported. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius stated on Monday that an agreement had been reached to allow "two representatives of the Taliban administration" to operate in consular roles in Germany. Their presence aims to support the repatriation of deported Afghans, especially those involved in serious criminal offences, Khaama Press added. This development follows a report by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which revealed that Germany's acceptance of the consular officials is linked to the Taliban's cooperation in accepting deportees. Just last week, Germany deported 81 Afghan nationals, most of whom were found guilty of serious crimes, Khaama Press noted. Kornelius clarified that the arrangement does not imply diplomatic recognition of the Taliban but is part of ongoing technical-level communication between Germany and Afghanistan's de facto authorities. He emphasised that systematic deportations will continue, stating, "This process is not completed with just one flight," according to Khaama Press. A Taliban official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that discussions are ongoing but said no final agreement has been reached yet. "The matter is still under negotiation," the source told Khaama Press. The move has sparked debate within Germany, with some expressing concerns about engaging with the Taliban, while others view it as a necessary measure to manage deportations responsibly and efficiently. Adding to this, Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said the Afghan consulate in Berlin should be handed over to the "Taliban" to facilitate the deportation of Afghan "criminal" refugees from Germany, Tolo News reported. Speaking to a German media outlet, Dobrindt clarified that this proposal does not amount to formally recognising the "Taliban" government. He also stated that he had reached an agreement on the matter with Germany's Foreign Minister, according to Tolo News. Dobrindt explained that in the absence of a formal agreement with the Islamic Emirate, Germany is unable to deport Afghan refugees or extend their detention periods for deportation. "One of the problems I recognize and needs to be resolved is how we can properly carry out deportations. Until we have an agreement, we cannot send anyone back to Afghanistan, and I cannot extend the detention period for deportation," he said. Tolo News further reported that the Afghan consulate in Berlin is still being run by officials from the former Afghan government. Transferring control of the consulate to the Islamic Emirate would, in practice, facilitate deportation coordination even without formal diplomatic recognition In response to Germany's proposal, Tolo News reported that Abdulmutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of the Islamic Emirate, said that the return of Afghan refugees must be voluntary and supported financially by the German government. "We accept our citizens back from Germany, but it must be voluntary, not forced. Additionally, the German government should financially support their resettlement in Afghanistan so they can remain permanently," Haqqani told Tolo News. Regarding the fate of Afghan refugees accused of crimes, Haqqani added: "Decisions will be made in accordance with Islamic Sharia law after verifying the documents." Germany has previously deported some Afghan nationals accused of criminal offences, but current legal limitations have slowed the process. Tolo News noted that Dobrindt's latest remarks come amid increasing pressure on European countries to deal with undocumented and criminal refugees.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Taxation in EU budget proposal sends 'wrong signal', German minister says
DURBAN, South Africa, July 17 (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil doubled down on Berlin's criticism of the European Commission's proposed budget on Thursday, taking aim at corporate tax under the plan which he said sends "the wrong signal". "Everyone should come to us, we want investments to take place in Germany and in Europe," Klingbeil said in Durban, South Africa, on the sidelines of a gathering of G20 finance ministers. "And in this regard, the corporate taxation now proposed by the European Commission, in this form, sends the wrong signal." His comments echoed a statement from the German government on Wednesday expressing its opposition. "A comprehensive increase in the EU budget is unacceptable at a time when all member states are making considerable efforts to consolidate their national budgets," government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said, also taking aim at the corporate tax element. The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a 2-trillion-euro ($2.31-trillion) EU budget for 2028 to 2034, with a new emphasis on economic competitiveness and defence and plans to overhaul traditional spending on farming and regional development. The Commission proposed several ways to raise more funds directly, including a new tax on companies doing business in Europe that have an annual net turnover exceeding 100 million euros in an EU country. "At first glance, much of what has now been proposed by the Commission does not meet with our approval," Klingbeil said, mentioning a tobacco duty estimated to raise 11.2 billion euros annually, which he said Germany also cannot support.
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Germany Rejects EU's €2 Trillion Budget Plan as Maneuvers Begin
By , Jorge Valero, and Lyubov Pronina Save Germany has rejected the European Commission's €2 trillion ($2.3 trillion) budget proposal, hours after it was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. 'A comprehensive increase in the EU budget is unacceptable at a time when all member states are making considerable efforts to consolidate their national budgets,' the German government chief spokesman said in a statement. 'We will therefore not be able to accept the commission's proposal.'
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany eyes 10% economic output from AI by 2030
Germany is reportedly seeking to intensify its focus on AI, aiming to bolster its economy and enhance its competitiveness in global technological arenas. According to a Reuters report, a draft strategy from the German research ministry has outlined a vision to generate 10% of the nation's economic output from AI by 2030. The draft also proposed making AI as a pivotal tool in key research sectors. The strategy does not specify the existing contribution of AI to Germany's economy. The German cabinet is anticipated to approve this strategy by the month's end. The document outlined plans to seek bids for building high-capacity processing centres in the EU, aiming for them to be operational by 2027. The German government intends to coordinate these efforts with industry, experts, and federal states by the end of the year. Notably, the European Commission has earmarked €20bn ($23.24bn) in funding to construct AI 'gigafactories' across the EU. Under a recent coalition agreement, Germany aims to house at least one such centre, with companies such as Deutsche Telekom showing interest. Additionally, the strategy includes objectives to advance quantum computing technology, targeting the creation of two 'error-corrected quantum computers' by 2030. This initiative also involves launching Germany's first research satellite for quantum communication within the year. Although Germany has achieved early innovation successes, the strategy acknowledges a lag in AI commercialisation. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report from 2024 indicated that AI could address several critical challenges for Germany, such as the green transition and improvements in administrative, industrial, and healthcare efficiency. Recently, Oracle announced a $2bn investment over the next five years to expand its AI and cloud infrastructure in Germany. The investment will help in boosting AI infrastructure capacity in the Oracle Cloud Frankfurt Region. "Germany eyes 10% economic output from AI by 2030" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
