This news made me believe that our dark night of the soul here in the US (sic) will eventually end. If all the peoples of Europe can unite in the face of their common enemies, so can we. Thanks for the boost! I'm standing a bit taller this morning.
That means a lot—thank you. It’s true: when clarity meets courage, even long nights can end. If Europe’s fracture lines can bend toward unity, so can ours. We just have to keep holding the line, one day at at time.
They have the horrible memory of WWII on their soil. They understand in a way that North Americans can’t, how easily a continent can fall into chaos and insanity.
Europe and Canada give me hope. Go Merz and Germany!
47 threatens Europe now with 50% tariffs. Time to hammer the US economy into the Pleistocene era. The US may use access to the dollar as a weapon. Europe must be prepared. Similar to Hitler, 47 will burn down America to get what he wants. It ended with Germany of the time in ruins, and America will end the same way.
Let's hope Merz is the 'backbone" Europe has been waiting for. That German brigade outside Vilnius is an "up yours" to Putin. Isolating Orban and Fico are long overdue actions by the EU. When funding is cut off and the economic impact is felt by the general public in Hungary and Slovakia there might be a change in governments. Maybe there's a "light at the end of the tunnel" after all.
You have brightened my spirit with international news that the rest of the democratic world is waking up and acting in harmony to the very real threats posed by Trump and other dictators. Thank you!
"The truth is, he doesn’t share Europe’s values. He never did. And it’s time to stop pretending DNA like his can be rehabilitated. You don’t reform that kind of rot—you isolate it before it metastasizes."
Exactly, and that goes for Trump and the rot his Project 2025 cronies are pushing! Great article Shankar!
Great reporting! I’m especially interested in the security of the Baltics (my parents emigrated from there)… good job, Germany! (I was born there)
Greenland taking swift and correct steps for their security too. It just goes to show you that both regions are doing what has to be done before they’re left without options. Trumpism is a world-wide cancer.
Thank the powers that be! Finally, ...someone who will actually follow through with action instead of constant threats that never have teeth. Go Europe! Go Germany! Go France!!
I have to say tRump started the ball rolling, but Canada electing Carney gave Europe a real shot in the arm and hope for better than the right was offering. If we had elected a tRump friendly Conservative government things in Europe would be vastly different today.
Great news from Germany. Europe must unite and create a financial and psychological barrier around Hungary and Slovakia. Name them for what they are, Putin's puppets and enemies of Democracy. Rip them off the EU tit. It'll save the EU some money better put to use on defending Democracy.
I think Merz has given the soft green to go. We will know on 27th. Most likely it will be a test, not a result. But that itself will give us a lot of info.
And that poor Orban. Those poor Hungarians. Always the victims. Now they're being pushed around by the EU.
Well, my dear Hungarians, you could leave the Union. It's been done before. Yes, you could fuck off. We won't shed a single tear. In fact, the rest of Europe would like nothing better.
I cannot wait, truly cannot wait for article 7 to be triggered. And while they're at it, they should also neutralize Fico and Slovakia.
And we only have to wait a mere couple of days! Never thought I'd see things moving so fast in the Union!
I find it hard to believe that a mobilized Germany was on Putin’s bingo card. I’m sure he thought that once his asset in the WH removed support that the EU would cave. FAFO
Thune did say that they will pass the Russian sanctions. But I am not very sure. There is a huge group inside the WH that wants to save Putin. Senate wants to do the opposite. Factions all over.
The “huge” group consists of Trump and his cult lackeys in his White House staff and the House Republicans! I’m not sure how many Putin-lovers exist in the U.S. SENATE!
This news made me believe that our dark night of the soul here in the US (sic) will eventually end. If all the peoples of Europe can unite in the face of their common enemies, so can we. Thanks for the boost! I'm standing a bit taller this morning.
That means a lot—thank you. It’s true: when clarity meets courage, even long nights can end. If Europe’s fracture lines can bend toward unity, so can ours. We just have to keep holding the line, one day at at time.
They have the horrible memory of WWII on their soil. They understand in a way that North Americans can’t, how easily a continent can fall into chaos and insanity.
Europe and Canada give me hope. Go Merz and Germany!
47 threatens Europe now with 50% tariffs. Time to hammer the US economy into the Pleistocene era. The US may use access to the dollar as a weapon. Europe must be prepared. Similar to Hitler, 47 will burn down America to get what he wants. It ended with Germany of the time in ruins, and America will end the same way.
The GOP must be cut down to size in the midterms; otherwise, they'll push everything through on steroids.
Let's hope Merz is the 'backbone" Europe has been waiting for. That German brigade outside Vilnius is an "up yours" to Putin. Isolating Orban and Fico are long overdue actions by the EU. When funding is cut off and the economic impact is felt by the general public in Hungary and Slovakia there might be a change in governments. Maybe there's a "light at the end of the tunnel" after all.
They must stay aggressive with Orbán; otherwise, none of the necessary structural changes will ever be possible.
You have brightened my spirit with international news that the rest of the democratic world is waking up and acting in harmony to the very real threats posed by Trump and other dictators. Thank you!
I’m glad the piece could lift your spirit, even a little.
"The truth is, he doesn’t share Europe’s values. He never did. And it’s time to stop pretending DNA like his can be rehabilitated. You don’t reform that kind of rot—you isolate it before it metastasizes."
Exactly, and that goes for Trump and the rot his Project 2025 cronies are pushing! Great article Shankar!
Yeah, it’s essentially the same playbook—they’re following Orbán’s strategy of dismantling democracy one election at a time.
Some brightness in a sea of turbulence and darkness. Always astute Shankar
Thank you—that means a lot.
Great reporting! I’m especially interested in the security of the Baltics (my parents emigrated from there)… good job, Germany! (I was born there)
Greenland taking swift and correct steps for their security too. It just goes to show you that both regions are doing what has to be done before they’re left without options. Trumpism is a world-wide cancer.
Gerne!
Thank the powers that be! Finally, ...someone who will actually follow through with action instead of constant threats that never have teeth. Go Europe! Go Germany! Go France!!
I have to say tRump started the ball rolling, but Canada electing Carney gave Europe a real shot in the arm and hope for better than the right was offering. If we had elected a tRump friendly Conservative government things in Europe would be vastly different today.
totally, brutally and honestly agree. Carney and Romania. Big-huge impact on where we are today.
And don't forget the election of Merz, even though that took place a few months ago...
Great news from Germany. Europe must unite and create a financial and psychological barrier around Hungary and Slovakia. Name them for what they are, Putin's puppets and enemies of Democracy. Rip them off the EU tit. It'll save the EU some money better put to use on defending Democracy.
I think Merz has given the soft green to go. We will know on 27th. Most likely it will be a test, not a result. But that itself will give us a lot of info.
Merz is brilliant, truly brilliant.
And that poor Orban. Those poor Hungarians. Always the victims. Now they're being pushed around by the EU.
Well, my dear Hungarians, you could leave the Union. It's been done before. Yes, you could fuck off. We won't shed a single tear. In fact, the rest of Europe would like nothing better.
I cannot wait, truly cannot wait for article 7 to be triggered. And while they're at it, they should also neutralize Fico and Slovakia.
And we only have to wait a mere couple of days! Never thought I'd see things moving so fast in the Union!
So far, he has been very tactical. Lets review him after 100 days.
May be Vilnius was next in Putin's agenda if he finished off Ukraine in three days ( instead of three years and counting )
Yep- If I were advising the devil, that is where my finger would have gone.
Heartfelt applause to Germany.
100%. They earned it.
I find it hard to believe that a mobilized Germany was on Putin’s bingo card. I’m sure he thought that once his asset in the WH removed support that the EU would cave. FAFO
Agree. He never thought they will rise so fast. Desperately tried to kill Rheinmetall CEO. That is how mad he is. https://www.theconcis.com/p/the-man-on-putins-kill-list-who-outproduced
Ah! Finally we get some good news! Europe knows it MUST defend itself!
Germany knows that if or when the Bear attacks the Baltics Trump would turn a “blind eye!”
I’m hoping enough Republicans would oppose his backing Putin!
Thune did say that they will pass the Russian sanctions. But I am not very sure. There is a huge group inside the WH that wants to save Putin. Senate wants to do the opposite. Factions all over.
You can’t trust anything a republican says so don’t count on it.
The “huge” group consists of Trump and his cult lackeys in his White House staff and the House Republicans! I’m not sure how many Putin-lovers exist in the U.S. SENATE!
Germans don t do coded messages.
Not anymore.
Yeah, and how great was Enigma?
LOL.