Rugby Prophecy Day 2017

Rugby Prophecy Day 2017.

EGA-EU-14-Feb-17:(16-FEB-17):German Army Continues to Swallow Its Neighbors

EU-EGE:170214:(16-FEB-17):Torchbearer of the West

UKB-COMM:170212:(16-FEB-17):Commonwealth citizens should have UK visas fast-tracked after Brexit, MPs argue

IS-US-MPA:170215:(16-FEB-17):Trump & Netanyahu agree: Israel-Gulf peace first

UK-RU-EU:170215:(16-FEB-17):Boris Johnson launches £700mn aid fund to ‘thwart Russia’s Europe takeover’

MIN-IS:170216:(16-FEB-17):Iranian Official and Social Media Call for the Destruction of Israel after the JCPOA

EGE-EU:170212:(16-FEB-17):Germany: Former Foreign Minister Steinmeier Elected President

RU-RUO:170213:(16-FEB-17):Georgia, Russia: Furthering Ties With New Trade Routes

EU-EGE:170214:(16-FEB-17):A Storm Is Brewing Over Europe

IS-UK:170214:(16-FEB-17):House of Commons Speaker visits Israel in historic first

IS-US:170216:(16-FEB-17):Trump, Meeting with Netanyahu, Backs Away from Palestinian State

IS-US:170216:(16-FEB-17):From Obama to Trump, a Change in Tone and Substance - Herb Keinon

US-ME:170216:(16-FEB-17):U.S., Middle East Allies Explore Arab Military Coalition

MIN-RU:170212:(16-FEB-17):Iran Again Opens Air Space to Russian Bombers en Route to Syria

MIN-RU:170212:(16-FEB-17):High-Ranking Russian Officials Due in Iran in Coming Weeks

IS-US:170212:(16-FEB-17):End the madness over Jerusalem

Rugby Prophecy Day 2017.

The videos of the 3 talks are now edited and have been uploaded,

EGA-EU-14-Feb-17:(16-FEB-17):German Army Continues toSwallow Its Neighbors

The Trumpet 14-Feb-17

A Czech and Romanian brigade will be integrated intodivisions of the German army. The agreement is to be signedat a meeting of nato defense ministers tomorrow. The FrankfurterAllgemeine Zeitung (faz), which broke the story on February2, wrote, “The Bundeswehr is developing into the leadingnato army in Europe.”

The agreement is the most dramatic of a series of arrangementsthat Germany is negotiating to deepen its cooperation with othercountries. The EU Observer summarized the faz’s report, noting,“The longer-term strategy would turn the Bundeswehr into theleading nato army in Europe, with small countries integrating theirmilitary forces into the German command structures.”

Two thirds of the Dutch army’s command structure began tointegrate into the German army last year.

The faz wrote (Trumpet translation throughout): “This policymeans Germany strengthens its own military power and, secondly,it creates practical road marks for the goal of Europeanarmed forces.”

The revolutionary handover of sovereignty from the Netherlandsis already being seen as a proof of concept that other nationscan follow, providing “the closest and most varied example of howfar the military cooperation between two nato states can go” (ibid).

Last year, German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen set outher ambitions to create “a multinational Panzer division” by integratingsoldiers from other nations into the German army.

Die Welt explained, “This should create a unit with up to20,000 active soldiers, which should be operational by 2021—which would be the nucleus of a European army” (March 17).Now von der Leyen is taking further practical steps in that direction.The Czech 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade will be integratedinto the 10th German Panzer Division and the Romanian 81st MechanizedBrigade will be assigned to Germany’s Rapid Force Division.These are not mere token forces. The Czech Republic is integratingone of its two combat brigades into the German army(this does not include combat support forces, such as the 13thArtillery Regiment).

On February 13, Reuters reported that unnamed sources withthe defense ministry say that Germany also intends to lay outplans to create a joint fleet of transport aircraft with France andto join a joint fleet of tanker aircraft with the Netherlands.At first glance, the plans seem unimpressive. The Franco-Germanfleet would begin with 10 transport planes. The United Statesoperates more than 5,000. However, Europe is so short of transportplanes that even an additional 10 will make a difference. Thismove is also a proof of concept. If successful, it will serve as a platformthat more and more units can be added to. With Britain onthe way out, France and Germany are the European Union’s twolargest militaries. If they can prove that they can share resourcesand work together, there’s great potential for cooperation.

Germany will also sign a declaration of intent to join the MultinationalMulti-Role Tanker Transport Fleet of aircraft led by theNetherlands. The group also includes Luxembourg; Belgium andNorway may also join. Germany said it could spend up to €1 billionon planes, which would be based in the Netherlands and inGermany.

Germany will also expand its cooperation with Norway, withplans to work together in buying submarines and missiles.Germany has made no secret of the fact that it aims to build aEuropean army through these deals with other nations. It is creatinga network of military cooperation—with Germany at thecenter. In 2013 then-Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière concludedthat efforts to create a European army in one sweep weresimply not working. Instead, he aimed to create much deepercooperation within individual nations, gradually building thenucleus of a European army out of bilateral cooperation.“If Germany can prove that integration can work with the Netherlandsand Poland—and they can save a lot of money doing so—other nations will want in. Once Berlin brings a few more countrieson line, this project will gain critical mass,” we wrote at thetime. “The result would be an EU army, or a very closely coordinatedgroup of armies, centered on Germany.”

U.S. President Donald Trump’s insistence that Europe mustbear the burden, the cost and the responsibility of defendingitself is further encouraging this effort. Von der Leyen said thatGerman requests to do more were “fair.” They certainly encourageother nations to sign up to the initiatives that Germany beganlong before Mr. Trump launched his bid for the presidency.The timing of Germany’s push is deliberate. From February17 to 19, national defense leaders, politicians and academics willgather in Germany for the Munich Security Conference. Talk ofEU military cooperation is included in the conference’s annualreport, which has been published ahead of the event. The reportincludes an infographic illustrating how far the Dutch have gonein integrating with the Germany army. With so much uncertaintyabout President Trump’s plans for Europe’s defense, extraattention is being focused on the conference this year to see whatAmerica will do and how Europe will react. European militaryintegration is definitely on the agenda.

The rise of a Europe capable of fielding a powerful militaryforce, independent from the United States, would be one of thebiggest geopolitical events in the last century and would revolutionizethe balance of power around the world.

EU-EGE:170214:(16-FEB-17):Torchbearer of the West

German Foreign Policy 14-Feb-17

In the run-up to the Munich Security Conference this weekend, leading German foreign policy experts are calling on the EU to reposition itself on the world stage, replacing the United States as the West's "torchbearer." Since Washington's change of government, the United States no longer "qualifies as the symbol of the West's political and moral leadership," according to Wolfgang Ischinger, Chair of the Munich Security Conference. It is therefore up to Europe "to make up for this loss." Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold a programmatic speech at this weekend's conference, focusing on the future relationship between the EU and the USA. In anticipation of the looming power struggle, in the German capital, the EU is already being warned not to allow itself to be torn apart by outside rivals. Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Roth cautioned against "special deals" being made between individual EU countries and the new Trump administration. If there is sufficient coherence necessitating, for example, majority decisions in foreign policy, "we Europeans" could become an "impressive political and military power," Ischinger cajoled.

Post-Western Age

The calls for the EU's repositioning on the world stage have been sparked by the profound transformations in global power structures, as indicated by the "Munich Security Report 2017," published on Monday. Since 2015, the organizers of the Munich Security Conference have been publishing an annual report to accompany their event and promote political discussions. The authors remind of China's continuous rise, a platitude, which, for years, has been part of discussions on the development of international politics. They also state that Russia's influence is growing. It seems that Moscow's intervention in Syria may be "successful."[1] The Russian government, in fact, has initiated a peace process for Syria without western participation. (german-foreign-policy.com reported.[2]) Irrespective of its success, this is an outright breach in the West's domination of global policy since 1990 and there are signs of similar developments in other countries.[3] The world may be "on the brink of a post-Western age, one in which non-Western actors are shaping international affairs," according to the new Munich Security Report.[4]

Germany's Profit Model

There are also serious contingencies between Berlin and the new US administration, with President Donald Trump's rejection of free trade playing a primary role. Free trade, however, is the basis for the continuation of the German export industry's boom,[5] to which the German establishment owes a large portion of its prosperity and power. Trump's announcement of a renegotiation of free trade agreements or levy of import taxes, threatens Germany's profit model with its huge trade surplus, at the expense of its markets.[6] The German government, therefore, does not exclude a trade war with the United States.[7] At the same time, Germany is seeking to assume the role of the defender of global free trade - in clear contrast to the USA and in the hopes of realizing a long-cherished project - ascending on the world stage to "eye level" with Washington.[8]

The "Anti-Trump"

In its political PR, Berlin is extolling its struggle for free trade, as a struggle for "liberal values" - a travesty, in view of the EU's deadly repulsion of refugees or the close cooperation with repressive regimes such as the dictatorships on the Arabian Peninsula. This PR, however, has success, thanks to widespread international indignation over the new US President's racist-chauvinist policy. Chancellor Merkel had already assumed this posture in her first reaction to Donald Trump's election victory. (german-foreign-policy.com reported.[9]) Wolfgang Ischinger, Chair of the Munich Security Conference, has expressed a similar view. "The United States, unfortunately, no longer qualifies as the West's symbol of political and moral leadership," Ischinger declared last weekend. "The advent of Trump, signifies the end the West, with the USA as the torchbearer." Now it is up to Europe "to replace this loss, so that the West does not completely loose out as the model and example" on issues, such as "human rights, liberty, dignity and the role of the individual."[10] German media have already begun to attribute the role of the "Anti-Trump" to President-elect Frank-Walter Steinmeier.[11] This is remarkable considering the former head of the Chancellery's involvement in Germany's support for the CIA's program of kidnappings and torturing of suspects. (german-foreign-policy.com reported.[12])

The Emancipation of the EU

At the same time, Berlin - currently stronger than ever, economically and in terms of political authority - is calling on the EU to close ranks even tighter. Had the EU - following the signing of the Lisbon Treaty - "been able to establish a political union ... without a crisis, it would today be an authoritative power," Ischinger says. However, unfortunately it finds itself "in an existential crisis." "It is so bad that in Munich (at the Security Conference, editor's note), certain EU members refuse to sit on the same podium with this or that other EU representative,"[13] even though "an emancipation of the EU" is long overdue. "We need to end particularism now - not in 20 years," Ischinger appeals. A transition to "foreign policy majority decisions" is essential. Berlin does not need to worry. "Over the past 20 years, we Germans have hardly ever been overruled by a majority vote in EU foreign policy decisions." Still, as a safeguard, "an opt-out possibility should be created, for extreme cases." "Such regulations are possible." Ischinger extends the bait: "Together with a foreign policy decision-making authority, we Europeans would then be an impressive political-military power."

"No Deals!"

For the looming power struggles, not only with Russia but also, at least partially, with the USA, Berlin and its followers in Brussels are already appealing to the EU members to maintain unity against any form of outside lobbying efforts. Concerning Washington's potential offers, Michael Roth, Deputy Foreign Minister, declared, "it won't benefit anyone in Europe, if individual countries get involved in special deals with the U.S."[14] President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker is already attempting to rally the rest of the EU member states against Great Britain. "The British" will have "little problem" in "dividing" the EU-27, and they "know very well how to go about it," alleged Juncker last Sunday. "Country A will be promised this, country B, that, while country C, something else, and in sum, no European front will be formed."[15]

The War Union

At the same time, Berlin is resolutely pushing for the EU's comprehensive militarization. The necessary preparations were already initiated last summer. (german-foreign-policy.com reported.[16]) Concrete measures are currently being undertaken, while further steps are in preparation. german-foreign-policy.com will report more tomorrow Wednesday.

[Footnotes to articles in German removed] [1] Post-Truth, Post-West, Post-Order? Munich Security Report 2017. [2] See Aleppo, Mosul and the Hegemony and Keine Ordnungsmacht. [3] See On the Brink of the Third Failure. [4] Post-Truth, Post-West, Post-Order? Munich Security Report 2017. [7] See Transatlantic Trade War. [9] See An Essential Part of the West and Ascending and Descending Powers. [12] See A President's Policy. [16] See The European War Union, Strategische Autonomie and The European War Union (II).

UKB-COMM:170212:(16-FEB-17):Commonwealth citizens should have UK visas fast-tracked after Brexit, MPs argue

Daily Telegraph 12-Feb-17

Commonwealth citizens should have UK visas fast-tracked to send out an “important message” after Brexit, 45 Conservative MPs tell the Home Secretary today.

In a letter to Amber Rudd, the MPs urge the Government to “extend the hand of friendship to our Commonwealth partners” and make the UK more welcoming for Commonwealth citizens.

The MPs suggest that visa rules be fast-tracked for visitors from the 52 Commonwealth countries, while signs at the border should be changed to specifically welcome Commonwealth visitors.

The recommendations are due to be debated in a Parliament in a fortnight’s time on Feb 26.

The MPs, including Sir Henry Bellingham, a former foreign office minister, and Tim Loughton, a former education minister, want the changes to be considered ahead of next month’s Commonwealth trade ministers meeting in London.

They say: “The focus of this meeting is renewed trade and friendship between the UK and the Commonwealth.

“Home Secretary, you are in a position to effect real, positive change in our relations with our Commonwealth partners. It would be a shame to let this opportunity pass us by.”

The letter has been organised by Jake Berry MP, the Conservative MP who is helping the Telegraph campaign for a new royal yacht Britannia.

Other signatories include Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee of Tory MPs, Sir Paul Beresford, Alec Shelbrooke, Peter Bone and Charlie Elphicke.

"If the Government is going to turbo charge its relationship with the Commonwealth... it will have to take into consideration visas"Lord Marland, the former energy minister and current chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council

Lord Marland, the former energy minister and current chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, who is organising the first ever meeting of 25 Commonwealth trade ministers in London on March 9-10, welcomed the letter.

He told The Telegraph: “Visas are a constant source of antagonism for Commonwealth countries. If the Government is going to turbo-charge its relationship with the Commonwealth when it becomes chair of the Commonwealth next year, it will have to take into consideration visas, as well as making it easier for students to come and study in this country as part of the rebuilding of relationships with the Commonwealth post-Brexit.”

In the letter, which is published on the Telegraph’s website today, the MPs say: “In the previous century, Commonwealth countries stood with Britain as we faced existential threats from abroad but as we pivoted to Europe, increasingly, our Commonwealth allies were left in the cold.

“The lack of consideration for Commonwealth citizens is at its starkest at our border. In 2015, the last year for which figures are readily available, from Australia, Canada and India alone, Britain welcomed 2.2 million visitors who spent over £2 billion.

“These three Commonwealth states are consistently found among the top five non-EEA nationalities arriving in the UK and travel for both business and pleasure.

“However, while EU citizens are collecting their luggage or exchanging greetings with loved ones, our Commonwealth friends wait tirelessly in the ‘all other passports’ queue.”

In a letter to Amber Rudd, the MPs urge the Government to “extend the hand of friendship to our Commonwealth partners”

In a letter to Amber Rudd, the MPs urge the Government to “extend the hand of friendship to our Commonwealth partners” Credit: Steve Back / Barcroft Images

They point out that the Commonwealth, which includes five G20 countries, “offers a ready-made, English language trading network for Britain.