I agree.
BUT … I also think that #Germany could turn this around - if it’s leadership wants to. That desire is more there in the Greens than the SPD.
To win back trust, a *real* #Zeitenwende is needed in both attitude & capabilities. That means
1. Genuine security investment to bolster NATO in a meaningful way - deterring enemies & reassuring allies. #Germany can still play a big role here. 2. Changed attitude to #Russia - no lusting after business as usual with #Putin. Energy embargo ASAP. 3. EU memb path for #Ukraine
4. Re-animate strategic partnerships/strategic dialogues with CEE states (& with UK) incl. by involving them in development of #Germany’s new security strategy 5. Which must offer a values-based vision of sustainable security for allies as well as 🇩🇪- no more appeasing dictators
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This article by @andrewduffEU is sadly typical of group think in & around the Brussels bubble.
“Nobody who knows how the Brussels institutions work-without a strong government-can be confident the EU is fit to internalize #Ukraine’s national problem.” 1/
It’s a well informed piece (from an #EU perspective) that on the surface might sound eminently reasonable- like some other recent attempts to fob off #Ukraine with 2nd class options. BUT, the quote in the previous tweet gives the game away. It shows 🇺🇦 is seen as a problem 2/
Rather than being recognised as the #EU’s best geopolitical opportunity in a generation, #Ukraine is presented as a cost, a burden to be borne, not a huge potential benefit to be embraced, or a possibility for EU renewal to be welcomed. 3/
paging @SeanMolloyIR@meibauIR@Simon_the_Pratt - and anyone else who might know - are there any videos/ videos of lectures you'd recommend dealing with inter-war IR - specifically Carr's trashing of Angell, Nicholson, Woolf, Toynbee, et al? have you recorded anything on this?
and, having previously read Ashworth & others on this topic, I recently came across this piece that I hadn't read before - any thoughts, if you know it? tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.108…
Recent Publications & Threads (A 🧵)
I. Articles & Commentaries Published
II. Interviews with me on (European) Politics & Security
III. Threads on #Ukraine#Germany#EU#UK#CEE and more.
Gathered in one place ...
This is exactly why EU states, with the Atlantic Allies, Ukraine, allies in the Indo-Pacific & others who want to be on board & are willing to contribute - need a new common vision of regional & global order.
What, why & what for?
Who is involved & how?
How to make it happen.
There is a lot to work with - mutual interests, shared values, common ideals. BUT our current institutions are not up to the task & without a greater contribution from others (Europeans in Europe, allies in Indo-Pacific) are not viable. To change we need to know why & for what
we do so-&, underlying it all, is the need to re-inspire our populations to contribute to bettering our highly connected destinies. we can make better futures for all of us-but only by re-imagining & re-inventing, as well as re-enchanting our common actions.
#Xennials of the world unite!
Born between 1977-1983?
What cultural, social, tecnhological and political experiences that set our micro-generation (#GenY) apart from #GenX & #Millenials?
-most lit focuses on US but I'm interested in UK, Europe & CEE theguardian.com/culture/2017/j…
I remember quite a bit about the politics of growing up in the UK at the time-I remember Thatcher & not having known anything before her. I remember Northern cities I grew up in & how it took ages to get them smartened up. But I also have some international political memories ...
There may be more to the revival of concentric circles/variable geometry than meets the eye & it may be a creative way to end the ENP/EaP impasse BUT ONLY if countries can move through the circles rather than being kept in/ relegated to them - & are supported in doing so 2/
#Macron will need to convince CEE countries (incl. #Ukraine) & W. Balkans that they will have these possibilities. & he’ll have his work cut out to do so. Multi speed/variable geo EU is not necessarily a bad idea but only if it’s without the 1st/2nd class divide many suspect 3/