Wars and Postwars: Germany, The First World War, and the EMU
We’ve spoken often of the pan-German economic plans of Friedrich List, as well as their realization under the Third Reich, in both its above-ground and underground manifestations. We have not discussed the First World War (the centennial of which is approaching), in which German imperialists were firm in their aim of utilizing the post-war to realize their aims of a European economic union, dominated by Germany and used to further their hegemonic goals.
The Great Olive Oil Conspiracy
As one member of the European Parliament observed, wryly, “Is it April 1st?” The EU (read “Germany”) has passed a ban on open containers of olive oil that are a common fixture of quality restaurants in Europe. This will almost certainly hurt small producers in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece–four of the afflicted economies of the eurozone.
How Austerity Kills (The Continuation of War by Other Means, Part 2)
In past posts, we’ve analyzed the “austerity” being imposed by Germany on the poorer countries of Europe against the background of the theories of Prussian military theoretician Carl von Clausewitz. A recent op-ed piece in the New York Times illustrates this analysis very clearly.
Merkel: France is Europe’s “Biggest Problem Child” (Not with a Bang but a Whimper, Part 2)
Previously, we have noted how the eurozone crisis is precipitating a stunning, unprecedented dissolution of national sovereignty. With socialist Francois Hollande having called for more “stimulus” in response to the continent’s austerity-driven, German-mandated depression, the French leader is in the crosshairs.
“Too Big to Fail” (Uber Alles): The EMU and German Economic Imperialism
Pre-conceived German economic policies are bearing long-desired fruit. Unable to find work due to German-dictated “austerity,” skilled workers from Greece and Spain are providing “labor battalions” for Germany. The devastating effects of that same “austerity” is making industrial concerns in Greece and Spain ripe for German corporate takeover.
Is Germany Using North Korea to Destabilize Asia and the US? (One Heckuva Conspiracy Theory)
TIMELINE–November, 2012: Germany’s foreign minister encourages the U.S. to embrace both a “Trans-Atlantic” free trade pact and German-dictated “austerity.” January, 2013: Following Obama’s pivot to Asia, German lawyers and economists decamp to North Korea, in the wake of a heralded “economic and political opening to South Korea and the West.” Early spring, 2013: the Hitler-influenced Asian nation’s leader does just the opposite.
Not with a Bang, but a Whimper . . . .
In Europe, the nation-state is being forced into obsolescence, and there is little discussion of this staggering development. Angela Merkel has formally stated that EU members must be ready to surrender sovereignty on fiscal matters.
Europol, its police force, has successfully taken a number of steps that many would see as intrusive, with little or no real application to law enforcement.
Germany’s STERN and Tagesspiegel: Germany Owes Greece Billions of Euros from WWII (Greek Citizenry, Political Parties Agree)
For years, we’ve been covering the pivotal issue of World War II flight capital, now on the front burner. Germany’s STERN discusses it. So does Tagesspiegel. 8 of 10 Greeks favor Germany paying their WWII debt. So do that country’s political parties. Saying that the debt has been paid, Germany continues to dissemble about the issue.
Going for the Gold in Cyprus (All that Glitters Is not . . . “Oh, Never Mind,” Part 2)
Reversing field time and again, the EMU’s not-so-wise men (and women) are destroying business confidence on the part of those who might be inclined to invest in the industrial or financial sectors of the eurozone’s troubled economies. It appears that 75% of Cyprus’ gold reserves are going to be appropriated as part of the “settlement.” Furthermore, this apparently comes as news to the Cypriot officials handling the situation for that unfortunate country.
Von Clausewitz and the Politics of Debt: German War Reparations Owed Greece Re-Emerges as “Time Bomb”
Greece’s economic problems have been exacerbated by Germany’s failure to compensate Greece for damage done during the occupation of World War II. Elements within the Greek government have compiled a report documenting the extent of the war compensation owed Greece. Germany itself is the greatest debt transgressor of all. Its wartime policy is inextricably linked with its current political/economic posturing.
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