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Europe applauds Biden's approach, stresses cooperation

18 Comments
By DAVID RISING

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America is back !!

0 ( +10 / -10 )

urged cooperation among Western allies.

'Urged cooperation among western allies'. To me that's good to hear. I'll take those words as a positive. But I'm well aware they can be interpreted in any number of ways. One of those could be it's polar opposite, that it's code meaning the US is on a warmongering path which will then be followed by the global alt right saying 'if Biden doesn't do what Putin wants it'll be WW3.'

So many ways to interpret what's been reported. No doubt everyone is pleased that there's still a free, for-profit press which allows individuals to access information from a full array of perspectives. Except of course in China, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia (partially).

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Nord Stream 2 is a game changer, no way Merkel is walking away.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

America First doesn’t have to mean bullying everyone else. I doubt President Biden will be barging in front of NATO leaders and playing childish handshake games.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Nord Stream 2 is a game changer, no way Merkel is walking away.

If a gas line is that critical it affects government choices and further increases risks of even more conflicts over fossil fuels, it shows it's long passed time to reduce reliance on burning so much fuel and instead increase conservation measures and alternative forms of energy. Russia can become the 'agrarian' state its proponents claim, increase its role in feeding its citizens and others. Saudi, the UAE, Iran and other oil states can sell solar power.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

@PTownsend Are you under the impression that there is a food shortage in Russia? Russia is one of the largest exporters of grains in the world and the supermarkets are brimming with more food than ever in history.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Are you under the impression that there is a food shortage in Russia? 

He's saying exactly the opposite.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Let's hope "cooperation" is a "two-way street" and not the American "my way or the highway". My personal "litmus test" of Biden's commitment to justice and his "liberal" values will be whether or not he renounces the the vindictive cruelty of government authoritarians that runs like a raw, red gash all through US history: I'm talking about the fate of whistleblower, Julian Assange, who has already suffered enough and more than he deserved in the dungeons of the UK's "Deep State".

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Russia is one of the largest exporters of grains in the world and the supermarkets are brimming with more food than ever in history.

I'm aware. I laud Russia's agrarian efforts. It's great the supermarkets are stocked better than the days of Stalinism.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Both the US and Europe cannot remotely achieve a post Trump administration consensus if political foundations of this so called renewed transatlantic bond, essential to this 21st century alliance are illusionary, built on quicksand.

The NORD stream 2 is a case in question.

The consequences for security, geopolitics within Eastern European member states are stark,

Ukraine, 2017, transited some 43% of Europe’s total gas supply though Russian companies, this transit providing $2.5 billion to Kiev economy. Nord Stream 2 will bypass Eastern Europe completely

Russia Federation will hold huge economic a political leverage over Germany, that is dependent on imports for over 90%/oil and 89%/gas supply.

The Russian Federation with a pipeline thought Turkey Turkstream, Moscow will be able to circumvent the entire Eastern European pipeline system.

Eastern European member states quite rightly accuses the German Government of pure self-interest, hypocrisy and being anti-European.

The leader of the European Union's executive branch, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, noted at the conference that “a more and more assertive China” showed robust economic growth in 2020 despite the pandemic and “a more and more defiant Russia continues to breach international rules at home and abroad.”

Then duplicitously entered into a trade and investment deal with the Government of China. While the Government of China were callously locking up student demonstrators in Hong Kong.

Joe Biden must stand firm. Demand with his brand of polite diplomacy, less weasel words and more action.

I would like to briefly broach a term banded about by Macron, "strategic autonomy" . so later or this comment will drag.  

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@itsonlyrocknroll Germany will act in its self interest as well. Germany is better off doing direct business with Russia and cutting off Ukraine.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Europeans are no doubt ecstatic about having to no longer deal with Putin's Puppet...

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Certainly proxy, from the Government of Germany’s perspective, Nord Stream 2 is first and foremost a commercial enterprise.

However, what is not lost on Biden/Harris administration is Nord Stream 2 will double Germanies dependence on Russian gas from Russian Black Sea stations.

That is bound to extend Russian Government political influence over Europe.

There has already been confrontation between Ukraine and Russia in the Kerch Strait prompting the EU to legislate to delay Nord Steam 2.

Then we have the Macron policy agenda related to "strategic autonomy", in relation to defense commitment/sovereignty bargaining, to secure further EU integration in other fields, notably a directive for EU state-wide social contract for its citizens in return for an acceptance of a more protectionist trade and economic policy.

Plus, the fact that The Government of China has a divide and rule policy on Eastern European states.

The Government of China 5-year pledge to double China’s direct food imports from Eastern Europe so undermining western member states CAP subsidies. Of course with an agreement with Eastern European member states to accept investment through Belt and Road Initiatives.

Another area Biden /Harris should be keeping a close eye is Europe delinquent/dysfunctional foreign policy agenda.    

Please take a browse at this calamity.

EU foreign policy RIP….

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-foreign-policy-rip/

Also proxy, this from der Spiegel

Russian Pipeline Is Germany's Greatest Foreign Policy Embarrassment

https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-price-too-high-russian-pipeline-is-germany-s-greatest-foreign-policy-embarrassment-a-0fcefa58-ca51-41ca-b480-98015203e9fa

Biden/Harris will have to sooner or later insist action is taken.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I wonder when these hagiograhic puff pieces will stop and when journalists will actually return to reporting the news and asking questions...

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I wonder when these hagiograhic puff pieces will stop and when journalists will actually return to reporting the news and asking questions...

We're in agreement, here, when it comes to American Presidents. Regardless of what party they represent.

Still, what happens in the US affects Europe and the rest of the world, so I guess that justifies the "report".

As for hagiographies, did you see the comments section about ---- -------- the other day?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

when journalists will actually return to reporting the news and asking questions...

Curious when you think that might have happened and what percent of journalists that might include. Examples?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

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