Read the article and I'm not convinced that the author (@FrDe2059) understood political (domestic) dynamics and their influence on EU behaviour.
On NI Sun Tzu would probably roll his eyes on the suggestion to remove it from the process. The idea is in terms of strategic choices plainly stupid.
Also the absence of preference of EU seems far-fetched. There are clear preferences for EEA membership, but not with fanciful exceptions. The whole strategy is designed to push UK in a dire situation where it can choose between EEA or economic downfall.
To me that's pretty much a very good strategy (if you argue that UK can't stand consequences of no deal; I don't think it has the capability to withstand no deal).
Besides, there is no way that EU27 member states can once again sell huge concession to their own electorate. That just doesn't work, it is neither seen as legitimate nor necessary since thy have the power to force UK to concede on EU terms. Why compromises if you can get it all?
Germany is just a beautiful case study for this 👇
