tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74491982709572890952024-03-14T10:19:42.311+01:00Geopolitiek in perspectiefIn een tijd van mediaconcentratie, embedded journalism en politieke spin probeert 'Geopolitiek in perspectief' met beknopte teksten een onafhankelijk beeld te schetsen van de veranderende machtsverhoudingen in de wereld en de gebieden waar de strijd om de macht zich manifesteert. De blog, die open staat voor bijdragen van gastauteurs, besteedt speciale aandacht aan brandhaard Midden-Oosten en de bijzondere relatie Israël-VS.Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-40148795269959853112019-08-30T19:11:00.000+02:002019-09-04T12:41:16.032+02:00Geopolitiek in perspectief is verhuisd - We have moved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Schermafdruk van onze nieuwe locatie – Screenshot of our new website</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Na ruim 9 jaar trouwe dienst en meer dan 220.000 pageviews was ‘Geopolitiek in perspectief’ aan een opfrisbeurt toe. Dat is gebeurd in de vorm van een nieuwe blog onder de nieuwe titel ‘Geopolitiek in context’.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">De huidige, oude site blijft bestaan vanwege bestaande kruisverwijzingen, maar wordt niet meer aangevuld.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">De vele b</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ezoekers van ‘Geopolitiek in perspectief’ zijn vanaf heden welkom op ‘<a href="https://geopolitiekincontext.wordpress.com/">Geopolitiek in context</a>’, </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">waar zij zullen blijven voorzien worden van nieuwe artikelen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="tw-target-text"></a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After more than 9 years of loyal service and more than 220,000 page views, "Geopolitiek in perspectief’ could use a new look. We have done so by creating a completely new blog under the new title "Geopolitiek in context".</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The current, old site will continue to exist in view of existing cross-references, but will no longer be maintained.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="tw-target-text1"></a> <span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We will welcome our many v</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">isitors </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">henceforth </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">at ‘<a href="https://geopolitiekincontext.wordpress.com/">Geopoliti</a></span></span><a href="https://geopolitiekincontext.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ek</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> in context</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">’, where they will continue to be provided with new articles.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></span></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-10492177396081017612019-08-08T15:35:00.000+02:002019-08-29T07:15:29.433+02:00De vastgelopen Europese integratie<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Deel 2: de weg uit de impasse.</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europa ten tijde van Karel de Grote in 814 (foto: Szajci, Wikimedia Commons)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">V</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">an
verticale Europese integratie is </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">weinig
sprake geweest. </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Zo</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nder
Britse bijdrage </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">krijgen
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europese
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">financi</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ë</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">le
transfers </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
moeilijk</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
EU </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kan
de </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voortvarend
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aangetrokken
lidstaten nog </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">moeilijk
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
het gareel krijgen. </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Duitsland,
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">F</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">rankrijk
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Benelux zouden </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
transfers kunnen stopzetten </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">om
een betere Unie te ontwikkelen </span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">op
het gebied van het vroegere</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Karolingische Rijk.</span></span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Een
nieuwe </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">economische
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">crisis
stelt de Unie voor </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
harde keus: integratie of uiteenvallen.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">J</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uridisch
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">W</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">oordenboek
</span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.juridischwoordenboek.nl/zoek/Europese%20integratie"><span style="font-size: small;">zegt</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">over
Europese integratie</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">:
“eenmaking van Europa door politieke, economische en militaire
integratie”. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Precies
daar wringt het Europese schoentje. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
de praktijk heeft </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europese
integratie </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">beteken</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">d:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
het uitbreiden van </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">EU
met nieuwe leden, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">te
vergelijken met </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ondernemingen
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">die
geen autonome groei </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">meer
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kennen
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hun
slagkracht op de wereldmarkt vergroten door overnames. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Wat
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">we
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
afgelopen tientallen jaren </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
het Europese project hebben ge</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zien
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
hooguit horizontale integratie. Van verticale integratie, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
laten toenemen van beleidsdomeinen die </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">lidstaten
aan de Unie toevertrouwen, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
maar weinig sprake geweest.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Vandaag
zijn <a href="https://www.europa-nu.nl/id/vg9pn1p65vi9/bevoegdheden_europese_unie">enkel</a>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">douane,
</span><span style="font-size: small;">buitenlandse
</span><span style="font-size: small;">handel,
monetair beleid </span><span style="font-size: small;">en
</span><span style="font-size: small;">mededinging
</span><span style="font-size: small;">volledig
Europese bevoegdheden. Belangrijke beleidsdomeinen als financiën,
begroting, belastingen, sociale zekerheid, economie, landbouw,
visserij, energie, milieu, vervoer, justitie, buitenlandse
betrekkingen, defensie, en asiel- en migratiebeleid vallen
daarbuiten. Daar komt het gebrek aan uniformiteit onder de lidstaten
nog bij. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sommigen</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">hebben
e</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">en
opt-out, andere</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">n</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
zijn </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">maar
<a href="https://www.brusselstimes.com/opinions/the-future-of-the-european-union-brexit-division-and-the-threat-from-within/">deels
a</a></span></span><a href="https://www.brusselstimes.com/opinions/the-future-of-the-european-union-brexit-division-and-the-threat-from-within/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">an
de Europese regelgeving gebonden</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">V</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">an
een </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Europese
minister van financiën die in de eurozone het begrotings- en fiscale
beleid bepaalt </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">zoals
de </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Franse
president Macron </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2019/07/kunnen-investeringen-in.html">nastreeft</a>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">lijkt
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">niet
veel in huis </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">te
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">komen.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;">Economisch
zwakke lidstaten hebben de Europese integratie in de weg gestaan</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
kernlidstaten deden hun voordeel bij de gem</span><span style="font-size: small;">ee</span><span style="font-size: small;">nschappelijke
markt door de toegang tot </span><span style="font-size: small;">nieuwe</span><span style="font-size: small;">
opkomende markten in de periferie. Omgekeerd </span><span style="font-size: small;">heeft
de komst van economisch zwakkere lidstaten - die zoals Spanje en
Griekenland zelfs tot de eurozone konden toetreden - de verdere
Europese integratie in de weg gestaan. Dankzij de open grenzen tussen
arme en rijke landen kwam de <a href="https://trends.knack.be/economie/beleid/waarom-geen-plan-voor-georganiseerde-economische-migratie-van-zuid-europa-naar-west-europa/article-column-1193453.html">economische
migratie</a> op gang, een fenomeen dat bijdroeg aan de anti-EU
stemming en specifiek de Brexitbeweging. Tegelijk moest de elite
toezien hoe de EU zich ontwikkelde tot een lappendeken van landen in
zeer verschillende ontwikkelingsstadia die de EU opsplitste in
permanente donoren en permanente ontvangers van Europees geld.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">West-Europese
staten krijgen het steeds moeilijker met het vooruitzicht om tot in
het oneindige lidstaten te moeten subsidiëren die als blijk van dank
economische migranten op hun dak sturen. Eurosceptische partijen
blijven dan in de minderheid, traditionele partijen nemen al delen
van hun gedachtegoed over, zoals een rem op de migrantenstroom en
inperking van het Europees fonds voor aanpassing aan de
globalisering. Nu Brexit een einde maakt aan de Britse bijdrage aan
het EU-budget kunnen de gevolgen voor de Europese vrijgevigheid niet
uitblijven.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
aanspraak op herstelbetalingen wijst op wanhoop bij sommige lidstaten</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zo’n
ontwikkeling zet niet enkel druk op pro-Europese sentimenten, maar
stimuleert ook landen als Griekenland en Polen hun aanspraak op
<a href="https://www.tijd.be/nieuws/archief/athene-eist-279-miljard-duitse-herstelbetalingen/9619853.html">herstelbetalingen</a>
van Duitsland in de verf te zetten. Dit wijst op een gevoel van
wanhoop en twijfel bij sommige landen over het EU-lidmaatschap. Zo
ontstaat een beweging om de EU-kern te versterken, zelfs als dat ten
koste gaat van de banden met de armere EU-landen.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
<a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geschiedenis_van_de_Verenigde_Staten_(1789-1849)">ontstaansgeschiedenis
van de VS</a> kan model staan voor economische en politieke
integratie. In Amerika kon die maar succesvol worden afgerond dankzij
een stappenplan: eerst verticaal integreren, dan horizontaal. De
Amerikaanse grondwet bond slechts de oorspronkelijke 13 staten die
hun soevereiniteit overdroegen aan de federale overheid. Staten die
zich wilden aansluiten moesten de grondwet onderschrijven.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;">Verticale
integratie gaat voor op horizontale integratie</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
het geval van de EU werden eerst zoveel mogelijk lidstaten bij elkaar
geharkt en pas daarna kwamen de zwakke pogingen om iedereen in het
gareel te krijgen. Dat is een wel heel moeilijk oefening. De EU kampt
met een lage verticale integratie en een groot aantal leden van
totaal verschillende bevolkingsomvang en economische ontwikkeling, om
maar te zwijgen over het Toren van Babel effect van verschillende
talen en culturen die allemaal mogen mee-eten uit de Europese ruif.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voortgaande
Europese integratie vergt de overdracht van nationale soevereiniteit
aan Europese instellingen die niet enkel individuele rechten moeten
garanderen, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">tegelijk
het overwicht van bestaande EU-lidstaten consolideren. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vandaag
kan geen Europese leider of groep leiders zoiets tot stand brengen.
Zo’n </span></span><a href="http://gtb.inl.nl/iWDB/search?actie=article&wdb=WFT&id=11872"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">boppeslach</span></i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
lukt enkel met een kleine groep lidstaten die onderling al een zekere
mate van verticale integratie hebben bereikt.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Kernlanden
als Duitsland en Frankrijk, mogelijk aangevuld met de Benelux, zouden
als groep kunnen stoppen met de financiële transfers aan de minder
ontwikkelde lidstaten, om een betere Unie te ontwikkelen. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
idee van een <a href="https://www.vleva.eu/nl/blog/60-jaar-verdrag-van-rome-de-eu-op-een-nieuw-belangrijk-kruispunt">Europa
met twee snelheden</a> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">wint
aan p</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">opular</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">iteit.
De kern zou kunnen bestaan uit </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">landen
gelegen in het gebied dat meer dan duizend jaar geleden het
<a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karolingische_rijk">Karolingische
Rijk</a> uitmaakte. Net als in de VS in de 19</span></span><sup><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
eeuw moeten lidstaten buiten de kern hun lidmaatschap in de kern
verdienen door zich volledig neer te leggen bij de politieke
instellingen van de kern. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;">Een
nieuwe Grote Depressie kan de oude machtshonger oproepen</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vandaag
ligt noch de implosie van de EU noch verdere integratie in een al of
niet afgeslankte vorm voor de
hand. Zoals steeds ploetert het Europese project dapper voort met
vaak geïmproviseerd beleid. Maar een crisis in de vorm en opvang van
de Grote Depressie van de jaren 1930 kan niet worden bestreden met
halve maatregelen. Zo’n crisis stelt de Unie voor een harde keus:
integratie, desnoods in afgeslankte vorm, of uiteenvallen in losse
staten met het risico van <a href="https://www.historischnieuwsblad.nl/nl/artikel/28034/lezersforum-ooit-komt-er-weer-oorlog.html">gewapend
conflict</a>, onderling of met de grootmachten.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europese
leiders zullen zich wel herinneren hoe hun land als koloniale
mogendheid heerste over een groot deel van de wereld. Staan zij ooit
voor de keuze tussen integratie of uiteenvallen, dan kan de oude
machtshonger de doorslag geven, met <a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2018/11/12/opinie-jurgen-mettepenningen-geen-vrede-zonder-europa/">alle
ellende</a> van dien.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
</span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-70415912444214067482019-08-08T15:13:00.000+02:002019-08-29T07:15:29.568+02:00De vastgelopen Europese integratie
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Deel
1: integratie is geopolitiek van levensbelang.</span></b></span></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5G5IneJmtJ4/XUwcvonmR0I/AAAAAAAACZs/E4Q75y5zrwYPexFcYTQCLxoWnEQf5iIRACEwYBhgL/s1600/The%2Bsecond%2Bedition%2Bof%2Bthe%2BHuawei%2BStory%252C%2Bnov29%252C%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5G5IneJmtJ4/XUwcvonmR0I/AAAAAAAACZs/E4Q75y5zrwYPexFcYTQCLxoWnEQf5iIRACEwYBhgL/s640/The%2Bsecond%2Bedition%2Bof%2Bthe%2BHuawei%2BStory%252C%2Bnov29%252C%2B2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The second edition of the Huawei Story, November 29, 2017.<br />Photo: Huawei Gallery</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><b> </b></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><b>De
grootste dreiging voor de EU komt uit de VS. </b><b>Trump’s</b><b>
druk op Europese bondgenoten wordt </b><b>in Washington </b><b>breed
gedragen. </b><b>Europa</b><b> moet zijn trans-Atlantische reflex
overwinnen en </b><b>focussen op </b><b>een Euraziatisch
bondgenootschap. </b><b>De Europese kwetsbaarheid voor </b><b>Amerikaanse
digitale kolonisatie </b><b>wordt duidelijk</b><b>. </b><b>Het debat
rond Rus</b><b>sische dreiging</b><b> staat integratie in de weg.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
zijn <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/20/be-afraid-of-the-world-be-very-afraid/">artikel</a>
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">‘</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Be
Afraid of the World, Be Very Afraid’</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">somt
de Amerikaanse professor internationale betrekkingen Stephen Walt
vijf mondiale problemen op die steeds verder ontaarden en misschien
nooit opgelost raken. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Bad
Thing #3, </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">The
End of the European Union</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">toont
hij </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zich
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">niet
optimistisch over het Europese project. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Dat
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
pogingen </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">tot
e</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
uniform buitenlands beleid en een Europees leger tot niets hebben
geleid blijkt volgens Walt ook uit de ruggengraatloze Europese
reactie op de Amerikaanse indirecte sancties</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
Inclusief de druk op de open grenzen lijkt de beoogde “steeds
verder geïntegreerde Unie” terug te glijden naar de oude
gemeenschappelijke markt, aldus Walt.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">I</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">n
twee delen gaan wij in op </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
problematiek die </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Walt
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aansnijdt</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
Vandaag belichten we </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">geopolitieke
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aspecten</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
van de Europese integratie. </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
deel 2 kijken we naar het begrip “integratie”, stellen </span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">we
</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">vast
dat de Europese integratie is vastgelopen en lichten </span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">we
</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
meest voor de hand liggende uitweg voor de EU toe: </span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europa
</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">met</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
twee snelheden</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kolossale
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uitdagingen
waar </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Unie voor staat vergen uitzonderlijk </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">leiderschap</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
nieuwe Europese bestuursploeg zal zich moeten bewijzen, </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
vooral </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">staatshoofden
en </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">regeringsleiders
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">die
zich </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
het besluitvormingsproces van de Europese Raad </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
al te graag <a href="https://www.apache.be/2019/05/20/europese-ombudsman-wil-af-van-achterkamerpolitiek-europese-raad/?sh=858380340bfe642b4bd09-2036238817">achter
</a></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.apache.be/2019/05/20/europese-ombudsman-wil-af-van-achterkamerpolitiek-europese-raad/?sh=858380340bfe642b4bd09-2036238817"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">‘Brussel’
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">verschuilen</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.<br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch; font-size: large;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
grootste bedreiging voor de EU komt uit de Verenigde Staten</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
EU mag dan een economische reus zijn, het is </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
vraag of de Unie kan uitgroeien tot een </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2019/05/wordt-europa-een-geopolitieke.html">geopolitieke
wereldspeler</a> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
een multipolaire wereld of satelliet blijft van </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
VS</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
Lidstaten als Duitsland en Frankrijk </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">mogen
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">op
het wereldtoneel </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">hun
zegje doen</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">individueel
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">kunnen
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">zij
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
niet opnemen tegen grootmachten als de VS, China of zelfs Rusland.
Europese landen kijken terug op hun koloniale verleden dat hen </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">tot
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">grote
mogendheid </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">maakte</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
maar vandaag k</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">unnen
zij </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">zo’n
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">status</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
enkel </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">herwinnen</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
door het slechten van economische en politieke grenzen in Europa.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Afgezien
van de tegenstrijdigheden eigen aan het Europese economische en
politieke weefsel, komt <a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2019/04/waarom-europa-zich-uit-de-navo-moet_17.html">de
grootste bedreiging</a> voor de Unie uit onverwachte hoek: de
Verenigde Staten. Misschien heeft enkel een Europese leider als
Charles de Gaulle het Europese project gezien als bedreiging voor de
VS. Maar algemeen wordt de VS gezien als een genereuze hegemoon die
bijdroeg aan de naoorlogse Europese wederopbouw en integratie. Dat
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Washington</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Europa </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ooit
zou kunnen zien als </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">tegenstrever,
ja zelfs rivaal, kwam bij niemand op.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">V</span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">ier
decennia mondialisering en neoliberaal beleid </span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">hebben
</span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">de
</span></span><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/17/a-third-of-middle-class-adults-cant-cover-a-400-dollar-emergency.html"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amerikaanse
</span></span></a><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/17/a-third-of-middle-class-adults-cant-cover-a-400-dollar-emergency.html"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">middenklasse</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/17/a-third-of-middle-class-adults-cant-cover-a-400-dollar-emergency.html">
ondergraven</a>. Overheidsbeleid als laagdrempelig consumentenkrediet
moest de welvaartsdroom in stand houden, maar leidde tot economische
zeepbellen ongezien sinds de crisis van 1929. Om de welvaart van de
Amerikaanse burgers te vrijwaren meende de regering-Trump dat de
beste aanpak was om economische concurrenten te gronde te richten.
Olie- en aardgasexporteur Rusland moest eraan geloven. De economische
oorlog tegen China volgde. Zelfs traditionele bondgenoten als Europa,
Japan en Korea werden stevig aangepakt.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch; font-size: large;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
harde Amerikaanse aanpak van Europa wordt gedragen door het Congres</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vandaag
staat Europa voor de vraag of het klaar is voor een confrontatie met
de VS. Heffingen op Europese producten, de sancties op handel met
Iran, de druk op het Duitse gasleidingsproject Nord Stream 2 en de
aanschaf van Huawei-systemen, het protest tegen een Europese defensie
en buitenlands beleid, en de pressie om Amerikaans wapentuig aan te
schaffen, het zijn allemaal Amerikaanse initiatieven die Europese
leiders toeschrijven aan Trumps grillige persoonlijkheid. Maar die
maatregelen worden wel <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/29/trump-trade-2020-1438979">gedragen
door het Congres</a>, en geïnitieerd en uitgevoerd door een batterij
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">bureaucraten
afkomstig uit de regering-Obama. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Het
succes van Europese integratie valt en staat met de opstelling van
Duitsland. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">D</span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">e
steeds hardere Amerikaanse aanpak van zijn bondgenoten helpt </span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">om
over </span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">de
psychologische drempel </span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">te
stappen </span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">om
daar tegen in te gaan. </span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zelfs
Merkel komt schoorvoetend tot de conclusie dat de VS niet langer kan
worden vertrouwd, Europa zijn eigen weg moet inslaan en niet moet
denken dat het na Trump wel weer beter gaat. Geen Amerikaanse
president kan op tegen de lobby van het Amerikaanse
<a href="https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/americas-permanent-war-complex/">militair-industrieel
complex</a>. Europa moet naar de pijpen van Washington blijven
dansen, Amerika moet zijn kansen in het conflict met China en Rusland
optimaliseren.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="color: black;">Focus
</span><span style="color: black;">eerder</span><span style="color: black;"> op
</span><span style="color: black;">Euraziatisch </span><span style="color: black;">dan
trans-Atlantisch </span><span style="color: black;">bondgenootschap</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">Voor
Europa betekent dat </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">om
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">eerder
te focussen op een Euraziatisch bondgenootschap dan op een
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">t</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">rans-</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">A</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">tlantisch.
De eerste tekenen wijzen erop dat Europese landen weerstaan aan de
Amerikaanse druk. Het besef groeit dat Europa kwetsbaar is voor
Amerikaanse </span></span></span><a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/er-is-nood-aan-een-politiek-debat-over-alle-digitale-innovaties-die-op-ons-afkomen/article-opinion-1485313.html"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">digitale
kolonisatie</span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
Huawei komt dus niet op de zwarte lijst, Europa stelt zich open voor
niet-Amerikaanse technologie. Duitsland zet zijn Nord Stream 2
project met Franse steun door. </span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
VS mag dan hameren op de Russische dreiging, Europa telt maar weinig
politici die </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">echt
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">in
zo’n <a href="https://frieschdagblad.nl/2019/7/7/is-poetin-nu-echt-zo-bedreigend?harvest_referrer=https:%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F">dreiging
geloven</a>. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
Zweedse, Poolse en Baltische politici die toch nog spreken over een
nakende Russische invasie trekken misschien deze kaart om Amerikaanse
steun tegen Duitsland te krijgen in hun Europese machtsspelletjes.
Het Europese debat ron</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;">d
de houding ten opzichte van Rusland is één van de vele
tegenstellingen binnen de Unie die een verdere integratie in de weg
staan.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier 10 Pitch;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
dilemma waar de EU voor staat is te kiezen tussen dwang om de
weerspannige lidstaten in het gareel te krijgen, of voor het concept
van een EU van twee snelheden dat de dwarsliggers links laat liggen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-88182884257209906712019-07-27T19:11:00.000+02:002019-08-29T07:15:29.635+02:00Kunnen investeringen in klimaattechnologie de Europese groeivertraging verhelpen?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
bovenstaand filmpje </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">analyseert</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
UA</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ntwerpen</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">hoofddocent
internationale politiek </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.uantwerpen.be/nl/personeel/david-criekemans/">David
Criekemans</a> - </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">aan
de hoofdzetel van de </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">machtige
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Deutsche
Bundesbank - </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
evolutie van de </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">e</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">urozone
en </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
economische </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">groeivertraging
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
Duitsland. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">De
manier waarop </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">onder
Duitse regie Zuid-Europese “potverteerders” als Griekenland
werden aangepakt </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">komt
aan de orde, net als </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">het
gebrek aan solidariteit binnen de EU en </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">het
feit da</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">t
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">bezuinigen
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">van
Merkel </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">nu
ook in Duitsland word</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">en</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
gevoeld. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">D</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">e
toekomst van de Europese economie </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ligt
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">investeringen
in klimaattechnologie, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">aldus
de professor, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">wiens
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">beknopte
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">boodschap
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">uit</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">no</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">digt
de issues nader uit te spitten. Op zijn hoofdthema’s gaan wij
hieronder in.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uitsland
moet zijn binnenlandse markt ontwikkelen</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"><br />
<br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uitsland
is op een te lage koers in de euro gestapt. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar
ook de</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
druk op de lonen </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">droeg
ertoe bij dat </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
concurrentieel </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kon
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">exporteren.
Het grote overschot op de Duitse handelsbalans wijst op een
onvoldoende ontwikkelde binnenlandse markt. <a href="https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20160101_02045514?">Volgens</a>
de Leuvense econoom Paul De Grauwe </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kon
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">productiviteitsgroei
aan de werknemers voorbij </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">g</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aan</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
omdat </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">werkgevers
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dreigde</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">n</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
productie te verplaatsen naar lagelonenlanden </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">als
Tsjechië </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Polen. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Om
zijn binnenlandse consumptie aan te zwengelen moet de koopkracht </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
Duitsland </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">dus
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">omhoog.
De lonen én de pensioenen.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europa’s
economisch model is achterhaald. Europa heeft genoeg sterke
multinationals, maar anders dan de VS dateert geen daarvan van de
laatste 25 jaar. Europa kon schitteren toen Volkswagen het kon
opnemen tegen Ford en Siemens tegen General Electric. Maar Europa
heeft geen Apple, Google of Microsoft. Qua nieuwe technologie zoals
artificiële intelligentie staat het nergens. Dat een stichtend
EU-lid als Italië zich aansluit bij het Chinese </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Belt
& Road</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
initiatief </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">duidt
erop</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
dat het land meer kans buiten de EU ziet om zijn economische
problemen op te lossen. Het weerspiegelt tevens de verminderde status
van Europa op het wereldtoneel.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
vraag is of de EU aan de vooravond staat van zijn implosie</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
succes van de EU stoelt op zijn gestage uitbreiding, sneller
misschien dan instellingen en bevolking konden verwerken.
Ex-communistische landen met soms de schone schijn van een
democratisch bestuur konden probleemloos toetreden. En dankzij een
creatieve interpretatie van de toetredingsvoorwaarden kon de
monetaire unie groeien van 12 naar 19 landen. Dat Griekenland tot de
euro kon toetreden wordt algemeen als een vergissing gezien. De
instellingen van het land waren en zijn daar niet klaar voor. En dat
verdict is ook van toepassing op andere lidstaten.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
geschiedenis leert dat imperialistische projecten sneuvelen op te
ambitieuze uitbreiding. De vraag is of de EU aan de vooravond staat
van zijn implosie. De Unie moet afrekenen met twee existentiële
problemen: de geopolitieke confrontatie met Rusland en de
problematische relatie tussen lidstaten in de periferie en de
eurozone. De EU is maximaal naar het oosten opgeschoven. Oekraïne is
toetreding in het vooruitzicht gesteld, maar de crisis in dat land
leidt onvermijdelijk tot de conclusie dat de EU zijn plannen met dat
land </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">moet
opbergen</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
Op grond daarvan zien de Baltische staten hun toetreding niet voor
morgen gerealiseerd.<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">De
Franse president </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Macron
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">zoekt
het in verdere integratie: een Europese minister van financiën die
in de eurozone het begrotings- en fiscale beleid bepaalt. Maar
Duitsland vreest dat de Duitse schatkist moet tussenkomen in de
begroting van armere eurolanden. Het plan van Macron lijkt logisch.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">De
eurozone </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">kan
niet buiten een</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
politieke structuur. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Blijft
Europa economisch slecht presteren, dan is het alternatief voor
nauwere integratie enkel </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">desintegratie.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Zo’n
doemscenario is niet voor morgen. De weg terug naar nationale munten
of een euro in twee hardheden is problematisch. Het zwaard van
Damocles valt bij een volgende economische recessie. En dat kon wel
eens niet lang meer duren.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Invoering
van een mondiale koolstoftaks is een illusie</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
zijn boek </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">‘Geopolitieke
kanttekeningen 2011-2018, en daarna.’ </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(p.
285) doet professor Criekemans de suggestie om subsidies op fossiele
brandstoffen geleidelijk over te hevelen naar hernieuwbare energie en
de uitstoot van CO2 fiscaal te belasten. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor
e</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">nergie-econoom
professor emeritus Aviel Verbruggen </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
een </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">mondiale
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">koolstoftaks
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">echter</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://www.eoswetenschap.eu/natuur-milieu/de-mondiale-klimaatonderhandelingen-zijn-beschamend"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><span style="background: transparent;">een
luchtspiegeling</span></u></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
moeten we het zoeken in een </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">gedifferentieerde
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">bottom-up
aanpak waarbij regionale inspanningen centraal worden gemonitord.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Anders
dan </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
verre </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">tijdshorizon
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">hebben
we nood aan directe </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">en
kortetermijnverbintenissen die stap voor stap leiden naar volledige
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">decarbonisering
van de economie, </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">aldus
Verbruggen.<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Verbruggen
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
het </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">echte
verhaal dat we aan het sluikstorten zijn in onze atmosfeer. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">We
kunnen </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">niet
volstaan met </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">minder
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">uitstoot
van </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">broeikasgassen,
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">we</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
moeten de rotzooi opruimen, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dringend
en drastisch. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">We
moeten beseffen dat we in onze economische activiteiten de atmosfeer
gebruiken zonder de kosten daarvoor mee te nemen in de
kostprijscalculatie. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">H</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">ernieuwbare
energie </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">mag
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dan
een grote vooruitgang </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
maar </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">die
trend </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">wordt
ook gehinderd door gevestigde financiële en economische belangen. En
we moeten veel dingen die we ons hebben veroorloofd anders doen of
terugdraaien, aldus Verbruggen.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Technologie
alleen kan de klimaatproblematiek niet oplossen</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robert
Cailliau, </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">de
Belg die mee aan de wieg stond van het internet, <a href="https://www.tijd.be/dossier/techpioniers/kan-technologie-de-wereld-redden-hangt-van-de-mens-af/9890497.html">is
sceptisch</a> over technologie om de klimaatproblematiek aan te
pakken. Een echt goede batterijtechnologie kan ons misschien
energetisch redden, maar vandaag bedraagt de energiedichtheid van de
beste batterijen (energie per eenheid massa) nog geen tiende van die
van benzine. En dieselmotoren die mits nanopartikelfilters tegen
fijnstof veel beter scoren dan benzinemotoren worden door de politiek
tegengewerkt. Met technologie alleen halen we de
klimaatdoelstellingen niet. Er moeten waarschijnlijk eerst enkele
miljarden mensen sterven in grote catastrofes voor we ook naar
onszelf kijken, aldus </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cailliau.<br />
<br />
</span></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Negatieve
uitstoot van broeikasgassen, het uit de atmosfeer halen van CO2, is
één van de wapens in wat <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2018/08/02/the-world-is-losing-the-war-against-climate-change">The
Economist</a> de </span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">oorlog
tegen klimaatverandering noemt. </span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar
</span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">daarop
gerichte </span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">technologie
</span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">komt
er niet omdat ondernemingen daar geen verdienmodel in zien. </span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
kapitalistische systeem zoals we dat vandaag kennen staat zo’n
bijdrage aan de klimaatproblematiek dus in de weg. </span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
ruim 200 academici die in </span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
<a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2018/09/17/open-brief-laat-economische-groei-los/">open
brief</a> </span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voorstelden
</span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">komaf
te maken met de </span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">focus
op economische groei </span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">missen
de essentie van de zaak: </span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">men
kan maar </span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">economische
activiteiten </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">loskoppelen
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
grondstoffengebruik </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
vervuiling </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">als
men ook wat doet aan ons economisch systeem.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
goede nieuws is dat </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">er
oplossingen zijn binnen ons huidig economisch systeem. We kunnen CO2
uit de atmosfeer halen door herbebossing, de </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">landbouw
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">rationaliseren,
onze vleesconsumptie verminderen, de uitstoot van de melkveehouderij
aan banden leggen, zonnepanelen plaatsen, ons minder verplaatsen en
al zeker per vliegtuig, in het algemeen minder verbruiken, inzetten
op schone technologie, opkomende economieën motiveren om niet onze
belachelijk hoge consumentaristische levensstijl te kopiëren, de
derde wereld aanmoedigen hun nakende bevolkingsexplosie af te remmen,
enzovoort. Het zijn allemaal initiatieven die bijdragen aan de
oplossing.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">H</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">et
ongecontroleerde kapitalisme is het probleem</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Om
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">écht
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
verschil te maken moeten we zien de</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
controle </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">te
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">verkrijgen
over de </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">machtige
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">monopolies
die vandaag de wereldeconomie beheersen, </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">alsook
over de financiële sector</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wereldwijd
zijn 100 ondernemingen </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">verantwoordelijk
voor 70% van de industriële uitstoot </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">en
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">500
voor 70% van de ontbossing. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">D</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">eze
monopolies </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">en
de banken moeten dus in </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">gemeenschapsbezit
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">komen,
zodat </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">de
wereldeconomie op een democratische manier </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">kan
worden gepland</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor
de Amerikaanse marxistische econoom <a href="https://www.rdwolff.com/102432/do_we_have_to_eliminate_capitalism_before_we_can_take_on_climate_change">Richard
Wolff</a> staan we aan de vooravond van een </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">existentiële
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">crisis</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Groene
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">energie
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">en
CO2-opslag door bosaanplant kan binnen </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">ons
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">economische
systeem de </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">klimaat</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">problematiek
niet oplossen. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">De
energiesector heeft geen enkel economisch motief om het roer om te
gooien. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Ook
voor de Britse journalist <a href="https://www.monbiot.com/2019/04/30/the-problem-is-capitalism/">George
Monbiot</a> is kapitalisme het probleem. E</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">uwige
economische groei op een eindige planeet </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">leidt
onontkoombaar tot milieurampen. En waarom zou elk individu recht
hebben op een zo groot mogelijk deel van de natuurlijke rijkdom van de wereld
als zijn geld kan kopen? </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">V</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">anuit
milieuoogpunt </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">staat
het vergaren van rijkdom gelijk aan roof, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">aldus
Monbiot.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Geen
enkel alternatief is voor Monbiot een louter</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
economisch systeem. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Het
uittekenen daarvan vergt de inzet van </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">verschillende
disciplines: economisch</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
ecologisch</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
politiek</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
culturel</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
social</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
en logistiek</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dat
moet leiden tot een beter georganiseerde samenleving die tegemoetkomt
aan hetgeen we nodig hebben zonder ons gezamenlijke huis af te
breken.<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Monbiot
stelt ons voor de keus: </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">maken
we een einde aan het leven om het kapitalisme overeind te houden, of
maken we komaf met het kapitalisme om te overleven?<br />
</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="tw-target-text1"></a><br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-87247957064031332782019-07-16T18:59:00.000+02:002019-08-29T07:15:29.602+02:00De de-dollarisatie van het Amerikaanse financiële imperium<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OC-dIKhw0M/XS4BMudKdNI/AAAAAAAACZE/FVGDDLCc2I4c8vDW4Iy00ouaP7RWrVoiQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wall%2BStreet3%2Bcropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OC-dIKhw0M/XS4BMudKdNI/AAAAAAAACZE/FVGDDLCc2I4c8vDW4Iy00ouaP7RWrVoiQCLcBGAs/s640/Wall%2BStreet3%2Bcropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">New York Stock Exchange entrance. Photo: </span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/90029322@N00">Alan Kotok</a> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">(Wikimedia Commons)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Tot
voor kort moest de wereld deviezenreserves investeren in Amerikaans
schatkistpapier. Vandaag verbiedt Trump dat, uit angst voor een
sterke dollar. Een lage dollar doet echter niets voor de Amerikaanse
economie die draait op diensten. China en Rusland kopen goud om los
te komen van de dollar. Het beleid van Trump leidt tot een economie
die zich steeds minder kan meten met het buitenland.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
een recent interview </span></span><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://michael-hudson.com/2019/07/de-dollarizing-the-american-financial-empire/">definieert</a>
de Amerikaanse econoom en historicus </span><span style="background: transparent;">Michael
Hudson </span><span style="background: transparent;">imperialisme als
je iets toe-eigenen zonder daarvoor te betalen, op handelsvlak een
strategie om het deviezenoverschot van een land in te palmen zonder
een productieve rol te moeten spelen. Eenvoudig door te eisen dat het
investeert in Amerikaans schatkistpapier. Met zo’n </span><i><span style="background: transparent;">treasury-bill</span></i><span style="background: transparent;">
stelsel wordt het mondiale monetaire systeem een Amerikaanse </span><i><span style="background: transparent;">free
lunch</span></i><span style="background: transparent;">, een
retributiesysteem waarmee de VS bijvoorbeeld zijn complete militaire
apparaat kan financieren, aldus Hudson.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="color: black;">De
VS heeft een structureel tekort op zijn </span><span style="color: black;">handels</span><span style="color: black;">balans.
</span><span style="color: black;">Dat tekort wordt gefinancierd door
</span><span style="color: black;">staatsobligaties </span><span style="color: black;">die
</span><span style="color: black;">het buitenland </span>aankoopt. De VS
maakt er geen geheim van dat hij zijn schuld aan het buitenland niet
terugbetaalt. Wie weigert om Amerikaans schatkistpapier te kopen
pleegt een oorlogsdaad. Dat is de opstelling waaraan de VS het label
<i>exception</i><i>al</i> ontleent. Amerikaans schatkistpapier mag
dan rentedragend zijn, het is wel oninbaar. Executeren bij de
uitgever zou leiden tot insolventie waarbij de stukken hun waarde
verliezen.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Aan
de dollardominantie komt een einde</span></span></span></strong></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Hudson
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">laat
zien hoe </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
VS de wereld economisch kon domineren, </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">eerst
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">als
de grootste </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">crediteur,
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">later
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">als
de grootste </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">debiteur,
en hoe aan </span></span></strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dollardomina</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">n</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ti</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
einde komt</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Zijn
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uiteenzetting</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
spoort met </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
<a href="https://michael-hudson.com/books/super-imperialism-the-economic-strategy-of-american-empire/">boek</a>
van 1972 </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">‘</span></span></i><em><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">S</span></span></i></em><em><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uper
Imperialism: The Economic Strategy of American Empire’,</span></span></em><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">waarvan
een <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=2ahUKEwjai4uw9a_jAhUP-qQKHR5iC70QFjACegQIABAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmichael-hudson.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F03%2Fsuperimperialism.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0Y1uk1QSQ4nDgfZ5TtP-ur">pdf-versie</a>
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">online
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">beschikbaar
is. </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Wie
het boek te technisch vindt </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kan
eens </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kijken
naar het persbericht, het hoofdstuk </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">‘How
America will get Europe to finance its 2002-03 oil war with Iraq’
</span></span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
de </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">‘Preface
to the second edition (2002)’</span></span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
(p. 3-</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">14),
en eventueel de introductie (p. 15-37).</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
het boek levert Hudson </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">kritiek
op de manier waarop de VS </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">buitenlandse
econ</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">o</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">mieën
uitbuit via de </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">IMF
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">en
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Wereldbank</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span>Ook het feit dat president Trump druk uitoefent op de
Amerikaanse centrale bank om de rente te laten zakken komt aan de
orde. Hudson meent dat Trump speculanten wil helpen arbitragewinsten
te maken met goedkoop geld, en de huizen- en aandelenmarkt oppeppen,
alsof men daarmee de reële economie helpt. Een lage rente moet ook
de dollarkoers drukken waardoor de Amerikaanse uitvoer beter kan
concurreren met het buitenland.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Trump
zegt dat China de Yuan manipuleert door dollars te recycleren in
Amerikaans schatkistpapier en daarmee de koers van de dollar
opdrijft. Hij wil dat China het Amerikaanse schatkistpapier links
laat liggen. Maar daarmee verliest hij de <i>free lunch</i> die China
hem voorschotelt en legt hij de kiem voor het einde van de
dollardominantie. China heeft geprobeerd zijn dollarreserves te
investeren in Amerikaanse ondernemingen, waaronder een keten
benzinestations, maar dat stuitte op Amerikaans verzet onder het mom
van nationale veiligheid. Wat kan China dan anders doen dan
Amerikaans schatkistpapier kopen?</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;">China
en Rusland kopen goud</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;">Door
China te verbieden zijn deviezenreserves om te zetten in Amerikaans
schatkistpapier drijft Trump China buiten de dollarzone, en dus koopt
China goud. Rusland doet dat ook. Ook andere landen vallen terug op
de gouden wisselstandaard, waarbij goud wordt gebruikt in het
internationaal handelsverkeer maar geen link heeft met binnenlandse
geldcreatie. De gouden wisselstandaard heeft een belangrijke pre: de
wereldgoudvoorraad bij centrale banken is beperkt. Een land dat
oorlog voert raakt snel door zijn goudreserve. Herinvoering van de
gouden standaard zet dus een rem op oorlog voeren.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;">Trump
maakt dus komaf met het “gratis geld” in Amerika, met het
monetaire imperialisme. Hij laat het buitenland afkicken van de
dollar. Maar daarmee worden buitenlandse economieën onafhankelijk
van de VS. Daar komt nog bij dat Trump geen handelsakkoorden tekent
die hij niet kan winnen. Zo’n houding drijft niet enkel China, maar
o.a. ook Rusland en Europa buiten de Amerikaanse invloedssfeer. Per
saldo isoleert de VS zich op een moment waarop hij zijn
maakindustrieën in belangrijke mate <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">naar
lagelonenlanden </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">heeft
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">overgeheveld.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">M</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">untmanipulatie
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">haalt d</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">e
Amerikaanse maakindustrie </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">niet
terug</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Trump
denkt dat een lagere dollar leidt tot lagere loonkosten. Maar met nog
maar weinig maakindustrie in de VS zet dat geen zoden aan de dijk.
Volgens <i>‘</i><i>The World Factbook’ </i>van de Amerikaanse
geheime dienst CIA droeg in 2017 <i>manufacturing</i> voor 19,1% bij
in het Amerikaanse BBP en <i>services</i> voor 80,0%. Voor China
waren deze cijfers 40,5%, resp. 51,6%. <em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">T</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">enminste
</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">1,</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">2</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">%
</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">(bron:
</span></span></em><em><a href="https://www.sipri.org/databases/armsindustry"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sipri</span></a></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">)
</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">van
het Amerikaanse </span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">BBP</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">betre</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">ft</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">de
</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">zwaar
gesubsidieerde </span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">wapenindustrie</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">(Boeing,
Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, …)
</span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">waarmee
de VS de wereld onveilig maakt.</span></span></em></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Een
lagere dollar </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">doet niets aan
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">grondstof</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">kosten</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
energie, kapitaal en krediet. E</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">n
e</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">en lagere dollar is een
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">serieuze </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">strop
voor werknemers. Die moeten meer betalen voor geïmporteerde
goederen, </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">e</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">n
dat terwijl ze al zuchten onder hoge woon</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">lasten</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">dure </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">medische
verzekering en </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">zware fiscale
lasten</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">D</span></span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">e
infrastructuur </span></span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">is
</span></span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
verval en de arbeidsmarkt verworden tot een </span></span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">gig
economy</span></i></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
een klusjeseconomie, waarin vast werk plaats maakt voor klussen, </span></span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">een
fenomeen dat we </span></span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ook
in Nederland zien met de </span></span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">zzp’ers</span></i></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">zelfstandige</span></span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">n</span></span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
zonder personee</span></span></span></em><em><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">l.</span></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
Amerikaanse kostenstructuur moet serieus omlaag</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">M</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">untmanipulatie
help</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">t
niet</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;">
om de maakindustrie herop te bouwen. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Een
lagere dollar doet niets aan binnenlandse grondstofkosten of kosten
voor energie, kapitaal en krediet. Amerika krijgt zijn
maakindustrieën maar terug als de factor arbeid goedkoper wordt door
lagere woonlasten en lagere transport- en infrastructuurkosten.
Gezondheidszorg moet </span><span style="font-size: small;">tenminste
</span><span style="font-size: small;">50% goedkoper worden.
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Gebeurt dat alles niet</span><span style="font-size: small;">,
dan blijft een duur, geïsoleerd Amerika over, met een groot tekort
op </span><span style="font-size: small;">zijn</span><span style="font-size: small;">
handelsbalans en een even groot probleem om zijn wereldwijde
militaire inspanningen te financieren.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Het
Amerika van Trump </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">kijkt aan
tegen steeds minder “gratis geld”, een toenemend tekort op de
federale begroting, een munt die steeds minder waard wordt en dus
steeds duurdere import. Tegelijk gaat Trump</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
voor </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">maximale privatisering
van maatschappelijke dienstverlening, de financiële sector en
infrastructuur. De kloof tussen arm en rijk wordt nog groter </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">dan
die al is</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Het
is een </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">neoliberaal </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">beleid
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">dat niet </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">leidt
tot </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">een gezonde economie,
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">maar </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">tot</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
een economie </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">die zich </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">steeds
minder </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">kan meten met het
buitenland. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">En dat voorspelt
niet veel goeds.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<style type="text/css">td p { margin-bottom: 0cm; }p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">td p { margin-bottom: 0cm; }p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-51108447526725552012019-07-07T20:39:00.000+02:002019-08-29T07:15:29.529+02:00Hoe wetenschappers kunnen bijdragen aan een oplossing van de kwestie-Palestina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QufAgqnh7c4/XSIK7ljb0II/AAAAAAAACYU/173CehtZDvchFYfysUGmi80jth4PzfhGgCLcBGAs/s1600/322000111_d4ddd058fb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QufAgqnh7c4/XSIK7ljb0II/AAAAAAAACYU/173CehtZDvchFYfysUGmi80jth4PzfhGgCLcBGAs/s640/322000111_d4ddd058fb_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bethlehem
Checkpoint. Men and women from all over the Southern West Bank stand
in line for hours each morning</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">on their way to work outside of
Bethlehem. Photo: ‘<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/joshhough/322000111/in/photolist-uskq4-aKeMVp-4gDh8L-jBdWEr-5r8owd-ag57J3-4NPenT-fxwViV-7CRtUJ-5JwDzL-5WJp1u-7NJ8y9-7ep8ag-4t16Wo-9Hajsq-6uazAL-6uoz9t-qc2U8d-aqiiok-5XN8Kn-dcygDX-5LzF9g-Bpk4Q-7zG1VU-7vDEJn-4Ab2Ws-7zFKEJ-hy1Ne-NQYJY-MGeAs-ikSxfS-fp2Qn-xTuhA-5REAcF-QKDAyg-bGk7AB-8zbxmQ-6PHCQp-4AakBL-4Ab1R7-5GgYeb-fLmLK-4rGZJ6-afMCpU-4WAki2-7PRkE9-7PRkZu-7LF2Ke-6XYrMJ-agxwy2">delayed
gratification</a>’ (flickr)</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="nl-NL">Terreuraanslagen
en de kwestie-Palestina hangen met elkaar samen. Het plan-Kushner is
de </span><span lang="nl-NL">laatste </span><span lang="nl-NL">nagel
in de doodskist van een tweestatenoplossing. De alternatieven zijn
apartheid of etnische zuivering. </span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">A</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">nnexatie
van de Westelijke Jordaanoever </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">overschrijdt
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">een
Europese rode lijn. </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">M</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">edia,
politieke wetenschappers en intellectuelen kunnen het verschil maken.</span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div lang="nl-NL" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div lang="nl-NL" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“<span style="font-weight: normal;">De
afschuwelijke terreuraanslagen in Parijs, Beiroet en </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sinaï
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">bevestigen
nog eens dat het Israël-Palestina conflict niet los staat de
mondiale terreurdreiging. De stichting van een Palestijnse staat, met
respect voor Israëlische veiligheidsbekommernissen, is van groot
belang, niet enkel voor Israëliërs en Palestijnen, maar voor de
hele regio”. Dat <a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12126.doc.htm">zei</a>
Nickolay Mladenov, speciaal </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">coördinator
van de secretaris-generaal voor het Midden-Oosten vredesproces,
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">tijdens
een briefing van de leden van de VN Veiligheidsraad op 19 november
2015.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div lang="nl-NL" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Intussen
piekt het geweld tegen de Palestijnse bevolking, zorgen nieuwe
nederzettingen in Palestijns gebied voor nieuwe feiten op de grond </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">en
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">lijkt</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">het
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">vredesproces
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">dood
en begraven. Tegelijk </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">loopt
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">het
aantal </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">terreuraanslagen
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">en
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
dodentol op. Om er maar enkele te noemen: Brussel, Nice en Berlijn in
2016, Londen, Manchester en Barcelona in 2017, Straatsburg in 2018 en
Nairobi en Christchurch in 2019. </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Op
een lijst gevaarlijkste brandhaarden </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
de wereld </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">zette
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
VRT</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
samenspraak </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">met
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
Nederlandse </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">professor
Ko Colijn </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">“</span><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Israël
en Palestina” </span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">op
een prominente plaats</span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
situatie bestempelen als 'vrij uitzichtloos’ volstaat niet</span></span></span></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Tegen
die achtergrond valt het op dat </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">UAntwerpen-</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">professor
David Criekemans </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">i</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">n
zijn </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">recente
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">boek
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">w</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">é</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">l
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uitvoerig
aandacht besteedt </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aan
het Midden-Oosten en terrorisme, maar de kwestie-Palestina
on</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">besproken
laat. </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Dat
kwam ook aan de orde in </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">onze
</span></span></span></strong><strong><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2018/11/kanttekeningen-bij-de-toestand-in-de.html"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">recensie</span></span></span></a></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Bij
n</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">avraag
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">wijst
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Criekemans
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">erop
dat </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hij
het issue niet mijdt, </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">waarbij
hij </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">verw</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ees</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
naar </span></span></span></strong><strong><a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2018/05/15/prof-david-criekemans/"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="nl-NL"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
optreden</span></span></u></span></span></a></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
in Terzake rond het Israëlisch scherpschieten op burgers </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
Gaza</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kwestie-Palestina</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">bestempelen
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">als
'vrij uitzichtloos' </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nog
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">geen
analyse, nog afgezien van de vraag of massale Europese investeringen
in </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Oost-Jeruzalem</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zinvol
zijn</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
Isra</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ë</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">l
</span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maakt
consequent elke </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europese
investering </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ten
bate van de Palestijnen </span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">met
de grond gelijk.</span></span></span></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Recent
publiceerde Bert De Vroey een pakkende</span></span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2017/11/28/---70-jaar-verdelen-en-heersen-/"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hist</span></span></a><a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2017/11/28/---70-jaar-verdelen-en-heersen-/"><span style="font-weight: normal;">oriek</span></a><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
wat we best aanduiden als de kwestie-Palestina (de term
‘Israël-Palestina</span></span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">conflict’
duidt op gelijkwaardige partijen, quod non).</span></span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Volgens</span></span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2010/05/blog-post.html"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Egbert
Talens</span></a><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kent
De Vroey de kwestie-Palestina prima, maar haakt hij te weinig</span></span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
op de politiek-zionistische trucs</span></span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">rond
het ontstaan</span></span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
Israël in 1948. Zo laat hij de listig bekokstoofde twee derde
meerderheid voor VN-AV-resolutie 181-II (1947) onvermeld, evenals het
feit dat Ben-Gurion al in 1928 </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">een
</span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">great
disaster</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
<a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/p/ben-gurion-holocaust.html">nodig
</a><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/p/ben-gurion-holocaust.html">achtte</a>
om in Amerika een beweging op te starten gericht op de
verwezenlijking van het politiek-zionistisch project </span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Joodse
Staat</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
En de Oslo-akkoorden leverden geen Palestijnse staat op, maar een
Palestijnse ‘entiteit’, en zelfs daarvan mocht Arafat zich geen
president noemen.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;">Kushner
slaat de plank mis</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
Vroey’s historiek verscheen juist vóór de presentatie van het
plan van Trump’s schoonzoon Jared Kushner. Over dat plan kunnen we
kort zijn: een economisch plan is het sluitstuk op een politiek plan,
niet omgekeerd. Zoals steeds proberen de Amerikanen iets te doen aan
de levensomstandigheden van de Palestijnen, maar niet aan de
Israëlische bezetting. De Palestijnen stuurden dus hun kat. Die
verwachten niets van een bemiddelaar die 70 jaar Amerikaans beleid
overhoop gooit, Jeruzalem als Israëlische hoofdstad erkent, de
Palestijnse missie in Washington sluit, zowat elke economische en
humanitaire hulp beëindigt en de bezetter aanmoedigt de Westelijke
Jordaanoever te annexeren.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
plan-Kushner gaat niet enkel voorbij aan Palestijn</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">s</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
bekommernissen, maar ook aan wat er leeft onder de Arabische
bevolking. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">De
kwestie-Palestina is en blijft een centra</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">a</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">l
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">issue</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
voor </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Arabieren</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">e
Amerikaanse benadering van de regio </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">wordt
gezien als onrechtvaardig. Dat fenomeen stuurt mede </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">de
ontwikkelingen in </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">het
Midden-Oosten: </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">werving
door </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">te</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">r</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">reurgroepen,
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">regionale
instabiliteit, de </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Arabische
publieke opinie </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">over
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Verenigde Staten, en zelfs de Amerikaanse nationale veiligheid. </span></span></span><span style="background: transparent;">Rond
het plan-Kushner is intensief gelobbyd richting Arabische leiders. </span><span style="background: transparent;">De
vraag is of die druk zullen uitoefenen op de Palestijnen. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">De
alternatieven zijn apartheid of etnische zuivering</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Voor
Harvard-professor Stephen Walt komt de kwestie-Palestina op de tweede
plaats van </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">vijf</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
wereldproblemen, direct na </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">(1)
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">klimaatverandering,
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">en
voor (3) “Het einde van de Europese Unie”, (4) “Een nucleaire
crisis met Iran, en (5) “Het sluipend verval van Amerika’s
Aziatische allianties”. Walt <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/20/be-afraid-of-the-world-be-very-afraid/">ziet</a>
het plan-Kushner als laatste nagel in de doodskist van een
tweestatenoplossing, met enkel slechtere alternatieven: (1)
apartheid, waarbij Israël de Palestijnen elk politiek recht ontzegt,
(2) gedwongen verdrijving, etnische zuivering dus, een misdaad tegen
de menselijkheid en (3) “vrijwillig” vertrek van de Palestijnen
door hen het leven steeds zuurder te maken, sluipende etnische
zuivering dus.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">H</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">et
optreden van Trump in het Midden-Oosten <a href="http://arabcenterdc.org/survey/2017-2018-arab-opinion-index-executive-summary/">leidt</a>
tot toenemend verlies aan steun voor de VS onder de Arabische
bevolking. Europa moet de VS duidelijk maken dat een vredesproces tot
doel heeft geschillen te beslechten, niet onder de mat te vegen. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">De
EU</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">moet
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
de kwestie-Palestina zijn verantwoordelijkheid ne</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">men</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Europese landen stonden mee aan de wieg van de staat Isra</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">ë</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">l.
De EU moet Isra</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">ë</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">l
duidelijk maken dat annexatie van de Westelijke Jordaanoever een
Europese rode lijn overschrijdt. Als Isra</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">ë</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">l’s
directe buur en belangrijkste handelspartner heeft de EU voldoende
machtsmiddelen.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Vijf
minuten politieke moed volstaat.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Media,
politieke wetenschappers en intellectuelen maken het verschil</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="firstHeading"></a>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Een
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">groep
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Europese
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">top</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">politici
hebben er bij de EU </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">al</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/14/europe-must-stand-by-the-two-state-solution-for-israel-and-palestine">op
aangedrongen</a> om elk plan dat </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">afbreuk
doet aan </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
rechten van de Palestijnen </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">te
verwerpen. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">De
media zouden </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">vaker
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">en
indringender aandacht kunnen </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">besteden
aan</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
de kwestie-Palestina. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Politieke
wetenschappers die regelmatig in de media verschijnen moeten net als
hun Amerikaanse collega’s John Mearsheimer en Stephen Walt, a</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">uteurs
van het boek ‘</span></span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">T</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">he
Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy’ (2007),</span></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
de moed hebben om de Isra</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ë</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">llobby
te weerstaan. Kritiek op het doen en laten van de staat Isra</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ë</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">l
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">is
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">geen</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">antisemitisme.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">En
m</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">en</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
moet nog geen ‘activist’ zijn om als academicus duidelijke taal
te spreken.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">I</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">n
2015 sloot een aantal Belgische academici zich aan bij </span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Palestinian
Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israe</span></span></i></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">l,
onderdeel van de </span></span></span></span><em><span lang="en-US"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Boycott,
Divestment, Sanctions</span></span></i></span></em><em><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></em><em><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">(</span></span></span></span></em><em><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/BDS-beweging"><span style="font-weight: normal;">BDS</span></a></em><em><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">)
campagne tegen de manier waarop Isra</span></span></span></span></em><em><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ë</span></span></span></span></em><em><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">l
met de Palestijnen omgaat. Zo ontstond </span></span></span></span></em><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Belgian
Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel</span></span></i></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
(BACBI)</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
De academische boycot richt zich op Isra</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ë</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ls
universitaire instellingen wegens hun </span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">steun
aan </span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
apartheidsregime. </span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
doelstellingen van </span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">BACBI
</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.bacbi.be/bacbi-intro-nl.htm"><span style="font-weight: normal;">duidelijk</span></a><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">I</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nternationale
druk </span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">moet
a</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">an
Isra</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ë</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ls
straffeloosheid </span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
einde </span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maken</span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Intussen
hebben </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">489
Belgische intellectuelen en academici de </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Beginselverklaring
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">van
de </span></span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Belgian
Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(</span></span><a href="https://www.bacbi.be/Home.htm"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">BACBI</span></span></u></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">)
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">onderschreven.
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Voor
zover valt na te gaan </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">heeft
slechts één </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Belgische
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">politieke
wetenschapper, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
Gentse </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">hoogleraar</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Hendrik Vos, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
verklaring onderteken</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">d</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Er zouden er honderden moeten volgen. Alleen de </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">faculteit
politieke wetenschappen van de </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">universiteit
van Antwerpen kent al 105 docenten, assistenten, onderzoekers en
academische medewerkers. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">En
de organisatie zou nóg meer aan de weg moeten timmeren.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Wie
volgt het goede voorbeeld van Hendrik Vos?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-34245062259469366882019-06-30T07:48:00.000+02:002019-08-29T07:15:29.497+02:00Hoe Europa in het Iran-dossier zijn ruggengraat kan tonen<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-e28o_xtm0/XRfOLFO_qNI/AAAAAAAACX0/aMbS9u6ehlE_cy0oN3HCumq4AwXLPDIJwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Velayat_94_Military_exercise_16_by_Mbazri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="774" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-e28o_xtm0/XRfOLFO_qNI/AAAAAAAACX0/aMbS9u6ehlE_cy0oN3HCumq4AwXLPDIJwCEwYBhgL/s640/Velayat_94_Military_exercise_16_by_Mbazri.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Velayat 94 Military exercise
February 2016 in the Strait of Hormuz and northern Indian Ocean.</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Photo:
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Erfan Kouchari, </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tasnim
News Agency </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">(Wikimedia
Commons)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3518553428596514169"></a>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">het
artikel</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
‘</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2019/05/wordt-europa-een-geopolitieke.html">Wordt
Europa een geopolitieke wereldspeler, of blijft het aan de leiband
van de VS lopen?</a>’ van 20 mei 2019 </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">stelden
we dat de EU haast moet maken </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">met
zich te onttrekken aan het Amerikaanse juk wil het op het
wereldtoneel de boot niet missen. En in ‘</span></span><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2019/04/waarom-europa-zich-uit-de-navo-moet_17.html">Waarom
Europa zich uit de NAVO moet terugtrekken</a>’ was de boodschap:
het wordt tijd dat Europa zich uit de NAVO terugtrekt en een eigen
veiligheidsorganisatie sticht waarin ook plaats is voor Rusland.
Beide artikelen verschenen ook op ‘De Wereld Morgen’, zie <a href="https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2019/05/09/wordt-europa-een-geopolitieke-wereldspeler-of-blijft-het-aan-de-leiband-van-de-vs-lopen/">hier</a>
en <a href="https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2019/04/17/waarom-europa-zich-uit-de-navo-moet-terugtrekken/">hier</a>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Aansluitend legden
we enkele academici de vraag voor: “<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hoe
beoordeelt u </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
draagwijdte van de paragrafen in het Verdrag van Lissabon over de
relatie van de Unie met de NAVO, o.a. in art. 42? Heeft de Unie zich
daarmee niet vastgeklonken aan Uncle Sam? Is een zelfstandig,
centraal aangestuurd Europees leger </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;">dan
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;">niet
een onmogelijkheid? Voor de Britse historicus John Laughland is de
Europese integratie een door de VS gesteund project tegen de Koude
Oorlog, ideologisch en institutioneel onlosmakelijk verbonden met de
NAVO. In een </span></span></span><a href="https://www.rt.com/op-ed/435327-iran-eu-sanctions-response/">opiniestuk</a><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
zegt Laughland dat Europa in feite niets kan inbrengen tegen de
Amerikaanse sancties tegen Iran.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Heeft
de EU zich vastgeklonken aan de VS?</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><b><br />J</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><b>onathan
Holslag</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">
(VUB) </span></span>vreest dat Laughland het grotendeels bij het
rechte eind heeft, en vreest nog meer dat Europa niet meer cohesie
zal vertonen. Het grootste euvel is dat Europa niet meer zelfstandig
kan nadenken over haar belangen, aldus Holslag. <span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">V</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">oor
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><b>Hendrik
Vos</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">(UG)
moet men het </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">belang
van art. 42 niet overschatten. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">Als
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">de
politieke wil </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">er
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">is
om een onafhankelijke koers te varen, dan gebeurt dat. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">Momenteel
is de EU daarover echter verdeeld. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">Maar
</span></span><a href="https://www.vrede.be/nieuws/pesco-voor-beginners">PESCO</a><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">[dat
al</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">s
doel </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">heeft
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">een
gezamenlijk defensievermogen te ontwikkelen en deze beschikbaar te
stellen voor militaire operaties van de EU</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">]
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">is
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">voor
Vos </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">wel
een signaal dat er beweging komt </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">in
de </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">richting
van meer onafhankelijk</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">heid</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE">.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="nl-BE"><b>T</b></span><span lang="nl-BE"><b>om
Sauer</b></span><span lang="nl-BE"> (UvA) </span><span lang="nl-BE">is
niet blij met </span><span lang="nl-BE">de verwijzing naar de NAVO in
het Verdrag van Lissabon. </span><span lang="nl-BE">De draagwijdte
</span><span lang="nl-BE">daarvan </span><span lang="nl-BE">is echter
beperkt: </span><span lang="nl-BE">EU-</span><span lang="nl-BE">acties
moeten enkel </span><span lang="nl-BE">sporen met </span><span lang="nl-BE">de
NAVO-verplichtingen. </span><span lang="nl-BE">Wel lopen vandaag </span><span lang="nl-BE">de
Amerikaanse en Europese belangen </span><span lang="nl-BE">steeds</span><span lang="nl-BE">
verder uit elkaar. De toekomst van de NAVO is daardoor allesbehalve
verzekerd. Europese defensie-integratie zal zich verderzetten. Op
</span><span lang="nl-BE">termijn kan </span><span lang="nl-BE">de
NAVO voor Europa overbodig word</span><span lang="nl-BE">en</span><span lang="nl-BE">,
als de VS </span><span lang="nl-BE">er tevoren </span><span lang="nl-BE">al
niet </span><span lang="nl-BE">is uitgestapt</span><span lang="nl-BE">.
</span><span lang="nl-BE">Voor Sauer heeft </span><span lang="nl-BE">Laughland
</span><span lang="nl-BE">wel een punt: </span><span lang="nl-BE">het
</span><span lang="nl-BE">Europese </span><span lang="nl-BE">mechanisme
om de Amerikaanse sancties </span><span lang="nl-BE">tegen Iran </span><span lang="nl-BE">te
omzeilen zal niet helpen. </span><span lang="nl-BE">Dat </span><span lang="nl-BE">toont
nogmaals de zwakte van Europa </span><span lang="nl-BE">op het
wereldtoneel</span><span lang="nl-BE">, </span><span lang="nl-BE">en
de noodzaak voor </span><span lang="nl-BE">Europa </span><span lang="nl-BE">om
</span><span lang="nl-BE">zich </span><span lang="nl-BE">te
</span><span lang="nl-BE">distantiëren van </span><span lang="nl-BE">dit</span><span lang="nl-BE">
Amerikaanse beleid.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Eerder
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">bespraken
we dit issue met </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><b><span style="background: transparent;">David
Criekemans</span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
(UvA), </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">die
meent dat d</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">NAVO-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">verwijzing
in art. 42 niet meer </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dan
een </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">toegevoegd
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">regeltje.
D</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">EU-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">veiligheidsgarantie
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">veel
sterker dan die van de NAVO. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor
Criekemans, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zelfverklaard
koele minnaar van de NAVO,</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
d</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aarmee
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
alliantie</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
eigenlijk overbodig, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
een </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uitstap
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zal
niet </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voor
morgen </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ontbreekt
aan </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
Europese strategische cultuur </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
aan </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">militair-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">logistieke
zaken. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Bovendien
wil </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">niet
elke lidstaat </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">mee.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="nl-BE">G</span><span lang="nl-BE">eostrategisch
blijft de EU gebonden aan de NAVO en daarmee aan Washington</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="nl-BE">Op
grond van </span><span lang="nl-BE">de</span><span lang="nl-BE">ze</span><span lang="nl-BE">
verklaringen van de academici </span><span lang="nl-BE">kunnen we
</span><span lang="nl-BE">conclu</span><span lang="nl-BE">deren dat
</span><span lang="nl-BE">d</span><span lang="nl-BE">e
</span><span lang="nl-BE">NAVO-</span><span lang="nl-BE">verwijzing
in art. 42 </span><span lang="nl-BE">misschien </span><span lang="nl-BE">niet
</span><span lang="nl-BE">cruciaal is</span><span lang="nl-BE"> </span><span lang="nl-BE">maar
</span><span lang="nl-BE">toch zal </span><span lang="nl-BE">kunnen
worden</span><span lang="nl-BE"> ingeroepen</span><span lang="nl-BE">.
</span><span lang="nl-BE">G</span><span lang="nl-BE">eostrategisch
blijft de EU gebonden aan de NAVO en daarmee aan Washington dat </span><span lang="nl-BE">in
het bondgenootschap de zaken initieert en </span><span lang="nl-BE">het
laatste woord heeft. </span><span lang="nl-BE">D</span><span lang="nl-BE">e
verdeeldheid </span><span lang="nl-BE">tussen de lidstaten </span><span lang="nl-BE">en
de vrees om Washington op de tenen te trappen </span><span lang="nl-BE">kan
hooguit leiden tot een versterkte samenwerking tussen de Europese
legers, maar niet tot </span><span lang="nl-BE">een</span><span lang="nl-BE">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;">zelfstandig,
centraal aangestuurd Europees leger.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">opgemerkt
</span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/20/be-afraid-of-the-world-be-very-afraid/">opiniestuk</a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">komt
Harvard-politicoloog Stephen Walt tot dezelfde conclusies. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Walt</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
niet o</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ptimistisch
over de </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">toekomst</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
van de EU. </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
VK </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">vertrekt
en de V</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">S</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">openlijk
vijandig. Herhaalde pogingen om </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
internationale vraagstukken </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
Europese stem </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">te
laten horen, </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">of
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">te
komen tot </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
gemeenschappelijke Europese defensiemacht, </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hebben</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
gefaald</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Neem
nu “</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
gebrek aan </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ruggengraat
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
de </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europese
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">reactie
op </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
dreiging om secundaire sancties op te leggen </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">op
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">handel
met Iran”, </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aldus
Walt</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">die
ook wijst op interne Europese problemen als </span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
a</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nti-EU
populisten </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
de onmacht van Brussel om </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">eigenzinnige</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
nationalisten als Viktor Orban van Hongarije of de </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Poolse
regeringspartij ‘R</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">echt
en Rechtvaardigheid’ </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">tot
de orde te roepen.</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Waar
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Stephen
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Walt
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">geen
blad voor de mond neemt </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><a href="https://spectator.clingendael.org/nl/publicatie/slaapwandelen-naar-een-confrontatie-met-iran"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">schetst</span></span></span></span></span></a></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">David
Criekemans </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">n</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ingetogener</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
beeld. </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Dat
beeld vergt toch wel enkele kanttekeningen. </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Anders
dan “een grote olieproducen</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">t”
is de VS </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">vandaag
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">energie</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zelfvoorzienend
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
heeft dus </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">eigenlijk
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">n</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ie</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ts
me</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">r
te zoeken in het Midden-Oosten. </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Iran
kon tot </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">r</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">egionale
grootmacht uitgroeien door de Amerikaanse oorlogen in Irak en
Afghanistan. Het Iraanse rakettenprogramma is puur defensief. </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Iran
wordt omsingeld door </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
bases en tot de tanden bewapende </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">buur</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">landen.
Het land defensieve wapens ontzeggen is dus misdadig. En of Iran nu
hervormingsgezind of ultraconservatief wordt bestuurd, feit is dat
het </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">land
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">geen
enkele (</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">militaire)
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">bedreiging
vormt voor de VS, noch voor zijn buurlanden.</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
blokkade </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
Iran is een oorlogsdaad</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
blokkade </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
Iran is in het internationaal recht een oorlogsdaad. Iran legt zich
daar niet bij neer. Het heeft </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">geen
boodschap </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aan
Europees handengewring. </span></span></span></span></span></i><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2019/06/iran-and-friends-use-bombs-and-missiles.html">Volgens</a><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de Britse professor Paul Rogers moet d</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">beschadiging
van olietankers </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">druk
zetten op de Iraanse klanten om hun olie-importen te </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hervatten</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Tel
daarbij de paramilitaire aanvallen </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">op
Amerikaanse trainingskampen in Irak, de Iraanse dreiging dat het zal
reageren op de Amerikaanse uitstap uit de </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nucleaire
deal, en je krijgt een beeld van een land dat niet </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">berust
maar aankondigt </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hoe
een asymmetrische</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">oorlog
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">er
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kan
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uitzien</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aldus
Rogers.</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Iran
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">o</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nderhandelt
niet </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">over
de Amerikaanse </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">belegering,
maar zal die breken, onder het motto: “Als Iran geen olie door de
Perzische Golf kan uitvoeren, zal geen enkel land dat kunnen”. </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kan
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
serie incidenten in de Golf laten gebeuren die het gemakkelijk kan
ontkennen maar aanleiding </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zullen
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
voor internationale verzeker</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aars</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">elke
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dekking</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
van olietransport </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
het gebied </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">op
te schorten.</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Iran
kan </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">eenvoudig
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">enkele
olietankers tot zinken breng</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
om de Straat van Hormuz af te sluiten</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">V</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">olgens
Goldman Sachs </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kan
dat de olieprijs opdrijven naar</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
$1000 per vat, </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">desastreus
</span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voor
de wereldeconomie.</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">S</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">laapwandelen
we </span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">naar
een soennitisch-sjiitische confrontatie?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">Criekemans
vreest dat we naar een soennitisch-sjiitische confrontatie
s</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">laapwandelen
</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">en
dat de internationale gemeenschap daar niets aan kan veranderen</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar
sektarisme is niet de belangrijkste oorzaak van de </span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">problemen</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">
in het Midden-Oosten. </span></span><a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/202905/iran-conquering-middle-east#">Vo</a><a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/202905/iran-conquering-middle-east#"><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">lgens</span></span></a><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Amerik</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">a</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">anse
</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">professor
Juan Cole is </span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">het
</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">de
geopolitieke context </span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">die
</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">conflicten
</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">een
sektarisch tintje geeft, niet andersom.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">Slaapwandelen
naar e</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">en
oorlog VS-Iran </span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">is
w</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">é</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">l
te bestrijden: </span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">na
China moeten Iran’s belangrijkste klanten India, Turkije, </span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">Japan</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">
en EU-</span></span><span lang="nl-BE"><span style="background: transparent;">lidstaten
Italië, Spanje, Frankrijk en Griekenland </span></span>ruggengraat
tonen, de Amerikaanse dreiging negeren, hun olie-importen uit Iran
hervatten en de VS laten zien hoe het zonder gezichtverlies kan
loskomen uit de hoek waarin het zichzelf heeft gemanoeuvreerd. De VS
zal het wel uit zijn hoofd laten al deze afnemers sancties op te
leggen. Het alternatief is de gevolgen ondergaan van een uit de hand
lopend militair conflict dat niet enkel het Midden-Oosten in vuur en
vlam zet, maar China en Rusland in de strijd kan betrekken en daarmee
mondiale proporties krijgen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ruggengraat loont.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-67917666573095528342019-06-22T20:08:00.000+02:002019-06-22T20:08:15.202+02:00Iran and friends use bombs and missiles to give a taste of war to come
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHBcPUNQrhw/XQ5qyXenqaI/AAAAAAAACXE/xoGea7vX9y4EdwY64JatBzrLmLfImGr9wCLcBGAs/s1600/Super%2BHornet%2Blanding%2BGulf%2Bof%2BOman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHBcPUNQrhw/XQ5qyXenqaI/AAAAAAAACXE/xoGea7vX9y4EdwY64JatBzrLmLfImGr9wCLcBGAs/s640/Super%2BHornet%2Blanding%2BGulf%2Bof%2BOman.jpg" width="640" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>GULF OF OMAN (May
22, 2019). F/A-18F Super Hornet making an arrested landing on the
flight deck</i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln
(CVN 72). Photo: United States Navy.</i></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }</style>
</div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
by <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/author/paul-rogers/">Paul
Rogers </a>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Power vacuums in
the Pentagon as a pattern of attacks across the Middle East look
suspiciously like a demonstration of Iranian ‘irregular’ power.</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The evolution of the
US-Iran confrontation gets more complex by the day, a matter of smoke
and mirrors with multiple accusations and uncertainties, and domestic
politics constantly driving international actions.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For Trump, the
current complication is that his Acting Secretary of Defense, Patrick
Shanahan, has suddenly <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/06/18/shanahan-out-acting-defense-secretary-withdraws-his-confirmation-bid/">withdrawn
his application</a> for the permanent job because of family issues
dating back some years. Not only does this leave a leadership vacuum
at the top of the Pentagon but Trump’s intended replacement for
Shanahan, army secretary Mark Esper, leaves a gap in the army job
only a month after the air force secretary, Heather Wilson, herself
stepped down.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In spite of this
uncertainty, the military rhetoric coming out of Washington is
growing tougher. Much is being made of the <a href="https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/17/heres-firepower-us-has-moved-gulf-region-amid-iran-threats.html">air
force and navy firepower being moved towards the Gulf</a> just as the
White House insists that Iran has been responsible for the recent
attacks on tankers in the Gulf of Oman.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Iran is not the only
country that the US is berating. One of the most senior US military
commanders, Paul Selva – an air force general and vice-chair of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff – this week <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2019/06/18/dont-expect-the-us-to-secure-arabian-gulf-shipping-alone-top-general-says/">reminded
other states</a> which import oil and gas via the Strait of Hormuz
that keeping the sea lanes open is not just a US responsibility. If a
war comes, other countries will be expected to play a substantial
role. Selva pointed out that the Gulf is far less important to the US
than it was during the ‘tanker war’ of the 1980s, with fracking
and other new technologies tapping more fossil fuels at home.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Interestingly the
one country that could contribute almost overnight – the UK (<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/a-devastated-iran-could-keep-hurting-the-us-and-the-uk-cant-be-neutral/">as
explained here a couple of weeks ago</a>) – is in the middle of
internal political upheavals. The rivals to replace Theresa May at
Number 10 are vying with each other to be the most macho and
pro-Trump. This is hardly likely to aid rational policy development,
as both remaining candidates claim to want to make Britain great
again.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Trump’s own
rhetoric has been toned down but his problem with Iran remains and is
made worse by that country’s own behaviour. It may be difficult to
accept that almost everything that Iran is currently doing speaks of
a canny assessment of Trump and a coordinated approach, but it is a
possibility that does deserves examining.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Iran’s show of
strength?</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Earlier this week
Iran announced that it would step up low-level uranium enrichment.
This is the process that produces fuel for nuclear power stations;
weapons-grade uranium must be enriched much further. [JR1] The
nuclear deal that Iran signed in 2015 with China, France, Germany,
Russia, the UK and the US – the US withdrew from the agreement last
year – limits the amount of uranium it can enrich. Iran said that
it would exceed that limit on 27 June. Meanwhile, consider the
military and paramilitary happenings of the past couple of weeks.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All the tanker
attacks have been low-level, typically using small limpet mines
placed above the water line: enough to have an obvious effect but
unlikely to cause serious casualties or sink ships. The attacks have
all been outside the Persian Gulf, off the coast of the Arabian Sea
and in the vicinity of Fujairah. This is the terminus for a pipeline
that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, with its Iranian coastline, to
bring oil overland from Abu Dhabi.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Another pipeline
that avoids the strait runs across Saudi Arabia from its eastern
oilfields to a terminal on its Red Sea coast: the Saudis report that
this was <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/saudi-arabia-says-its-oil-pipeline-was-attacked-by-drones-1.4421243">recently
hit by an armed drone</a> believed fired by the Houthi rebels in
Yemen, allied to Iran.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In other
developments this week, <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2019/06/17/rockets-land-in-iraqs-camp-taji-home-to-us-military-personnel/">three
Katyusha rockets were fired at Camp Taji</a>, an Iraqi army base
north of Baghdad where US trainers work. The Balad air base, also
north of Baghdad, <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2019/06/16/mortar-attack-on-iraqi-base-home-to-us-troops-no-casualties/">was
hit by mortar fire</a> in a separate attack.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Thus, tankers are
attacked outside the Strait of Hormuz showing that bypassing the
strait through Fujairah is still vulnerable to disruption, and an
alternative pipeline route across Saudi Arabia is also attacked. Add
to this the paramilitary attacks in Iraq on two bases used by US
trainers of the Iraqi army, along with Iran threatening to respond to
Trump’s abandonment of the nuclear deal, and you get a picture of a
country not willing to buckle and also ready to send reminders of how
an ‘irregular’ war could be waged.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This could all be
coincidence, but it really is stretching things a bit when you put it
together. Moreover, the risk of paramilitary attacks is certainly
taken seriously by the Pentagon: witness the decision to send 2,500
extra troops to the region to help protect US bases and facilities.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Also being taken
seriously is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/20/iran-claims-us-drone-shot-down-missile-strike-saudi-arabia-trump-yemen">shooting
down of a US navy drone</a> in what Tehran claims was Iranian
airspace. The drone in question, a Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton, is
one of the largest and most expensive uncrewed aircraft in the world,
the size of a strike aircraft and costs $182 million apiece. It has a
range of over 9,000 miles, can fly for 30 hours and reach an altitude
of 60,000 feet. If it was flying anything like that high there will
be questions asked in the Pentagon and the White House over how the
Iranians could have managed to destroy it.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On the US side,
Trump’s unpredictability and bombast, coupled with personnel
upheavals in the Pentagon, do not make for sound judgement.
Yesterday’s approval and then aborting of attacks on Iran in
retaliation for the drone strike could have been a warning, or
indecision, or both.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
However, there are
signs of Washington drawing back. One key indicator is that the US
Special Representative for Iran, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-hook/u-s-s-hook-to-meet-european-officials-on-iran-in-paris-next-week-idUSKCN1TJ2GJ">Brian
Hook, travels to Paris early next week</a> to meet senior French,
German and British officials. Hook is an experienced White House
advisor going back two decades. If the Europeans put serious pressure
on the Trump administration to reduce tension, that might just have
an effect. The bigger issue, though, is that it may be Iran rather
than the US setting the agenda.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Paul
Rogers is professor in the </i></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/peace/"><span style="color: #0061bf;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>department
of peace studies</i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>at
Bradford University, northern England. He is </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><b>openDemocracy's</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>international-security
editor, and has been writing a weekly column on global security since
28 September 2001; he also writes a monthly briefing for the </i></span></span></span><a href="http://oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/"><span style="color: #0061bf;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Oxford
Research Group</i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>.
His books include </i></span></span></span><a href="http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0745641962,subjectCd-PO34,descCd-authorInfo.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Why
We’re Losing the War on Terror</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0061bf;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>(Polity,
2007), and </i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>Losing
Control: Global Security in the 21st Century</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0061bf;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US"><i>(Pluto
Press, 3rd edition, 2010). He is on twitter at: @ProfPRogers</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB">This
article first appeared on </span></span></span><a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/iran-and-friends-use-bombs-and-missiles-give-taste-war-come/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>openDemocracy</i></span></a>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB">21
June</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB">201</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB">9</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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</div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-26595960958416370802019-05-28T17:39:00.000+02:002019-05-28T17:39:05.339+02:00US Army tweet provokes outpouring of antiwar sentiment
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2nMiFphOdE/XO1UsH9LzeI/AAAAAAAACWY/gtmwEK5NpaYfy2goKW602y5FAy6LKbfFwCLcBGAs/s1600/Qayyarah%2Btown%2Bon%2Bfire%2B%2528cropped%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2nMiFphOdE/XO1UsH9LzeI/AAAAAAAACWY/gtmwEK5NpaYfy2goKW602y5FAy6LKbfFwCLcBGAs/s640/Qayyarah%2Btown%2Bon%2Bfire%2B%2528cropped%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cityscape
of Qayyarah town on fire.The Mosul District, Northern Iraq, Western
Asia. 09 November, 2016</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo:
</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mstyslav_Chernov">Mstyslav
Chernov</a> </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Wikimedia
Commons)</i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
by George Marlowe</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It’s
been hell for the world”</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The United States
Army did not get the response it intended when it asked in a tweet
last week, “How has serving impacted you?” Instead of paeans to
the military, the horrific reality of war on a world scale broke
through the annual celebration of American militarism over the
Memorial Day weekend.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By Monday night,
there were over 11,000 comments in response to the US Army’s
question. The official lies and platitudes employed by the ruling
elite and the media to exalt war were shattered by stories detailing
the living hell that has been imposed on millions of lives.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So massive was the
outpouring of sentiment on social media that <a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/27/army-m27.html">the
response</a> was covered by the mainstream news Monday night, a
singular rarity on a day usually devoted to mindless jingoism. The
incident even made headlines around the world, an expression of the
vast global impact of US militarism.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Veteran suicides,
depression, violence, recurring nightmares, post-traumatic stress
disorder, drug abuse, addiction, alcoholism, rape and sexual assault
by commanding officers, inadequate health care, generational trauma,
exposure to chemical agents, war crimes. These were just some of the
nightmarish tales that emerged.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Heartbreaking
stories of veteran suicides were all too common. Shane Burley’s
story was repeated in various forms by numerous people. “My best
friend from high school was denied his mental health treatment and
forced to return to a third tour in Iraq, despite having such deep
trauma that he could barely function,” Shane wrote. “He took a
handful of sleeping pills and shot himself in the head two weeks
before deploying.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sean described what
he called “the ‘Combat Cocktail’: PTSD, severe depression,
anxiety. Isolation. Suicide attempts. Never ending rage. It cost me
my relationship with my eldest son and my grandson. It cost some of
my men so much more. How did serving impact me? Ask my family.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Lies used to
manufacture public consent for war were also opposed. “Don’t
fabricate enemies and shove innocent Americans into wars that kill
innocent civilians,” wrote one person. “You’ve gained nothing
from all the wars combined. It’s been hell for the world.”</div>
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For all the
nauseating glorification of the military by the media and the
political establishment, those that serve in the military as cannon
fodder are generally economic conscripts looking for a way out of
poverty and the chance for a college degree. The reality is that they
end up maimed, broken and scarred, with generations of families and
friends affected by the trauma.</div>
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More than 5,500
veterans killed themselves last year, and active-duty military
suicides were at an all-time high in 2018. More than 321 of those in
active duty in the military killed themselves in 2018, with 138 in
the US Army alone.</div>
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A 2018 study by the
Council on Foreign Relations found that recruits from families with
annual incomes less than $38,400 a year made up 19 percent of
soldiers. Over 60 percent of recruits come from families with annual
incomes less than $61,403, and over 80 percent come from families who
make less than $80,912. The study did not show the levels at which
the top 5 percent or the top 1 percent participated in the wars, but
they no doubt constitute a tiny minority.</div>
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Numerous commenters
on the US Army Twitter thread referred to the statements of
Major-General Smedley Butler, who famously confessed in 1933, “War
is just a racket. Only a small inside group knows what it is about.
It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the
masses.”</div>
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There is deep
opposition to war in the working class in the United States and
internationally. As with every other political issue, however, the
real interests of the vast majority of the population are excluded
from official political life.</div>
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In the run-up to the
2003 invasion of Iraq, this sentiment found expression in mass
demonstrations of millions of people throughout the world. Opposition
to the Iraq war was channeled behind the Democratic Party,
culminating in the election of Barack Obama in 2008. Extending the
Bush administration’s “war on terror” in Iraq and Afghanistan,
Obama attacked more than seven countries, including Libya and Syria,
and killed thousands of innocent civilians through drone warfare.</div>
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The Trump
administration now plans to dispatch 1,500 new troops to the Middle
East and has threatened to “end” Iran. His administration also
announced the doctrine of “great power” conflict, preparing even
bigger military conflagrations against Russia and China that hurtle
the world towards a third world war.</div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In 2017, the
Department of Veterans Affairs under the Trump administration
proposed to close more than 1,100 facilities in an effort to
privatize health care. While only $220 billion was allotted to
Veterans Affairs for the 2020 budget, more than $718 billion was
requested by the Pentagon, a five percent increase over the previous
year. If the trend continues, more than $7 trillion will be spent on
war over the next decade.</div>
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With the support of
the Democratic Party, moreover, the Trump administration is
intensifying its campaign against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange
for exposing the crimes of American imperialism.</div>
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</div>
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The Democrats have
waged their opposition to Trump largely on the demand that the
administration adopt a more aggressive position against Russia and
expand the war in Syria and the Middle East. The Democrats have
sought to position themselves as the party of the military and the
intelligence agencies, hailing as heroes such arch warmongers as the
late Republican Senator John McCain.</div>
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</div>
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And the
organizations of the complacent and privileged upper-middle class
that surround the Democratic Party have become the most adamant
supporters of American imperialism.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The sentiments
expressed in the response to the US Army tweet must and will find
organized form. The mass opposition to war must be connected to the
growing struggles of workers, in the United States and
internationally, against inequality and exploitation. The growing
support for socialism must be connected to a conscious political
movement of the international working class against capitalism and
imperialism.</div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>This
article first appeared on </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/28/pers-m28.html"><span style="color: #de7008;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>World
Socialist Web Site (WSWS)</i></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>on
28 May 2019, and was republished with permission.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-35185534285965141692019-05-10T07:30:00.000+02:002019-07-14T21:09:12.612+02:00Wordt Europa een geopolitieke wereldspeler, of blijft het aan de leiband van de VS lopen?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0NRlGy6Uus/XNG0BH0DpkI/AAAAAAAACVM/eiHzTXmCV980XpzgsbRWHosJV27Iywf3ACEwYBhgL/s1600/High_Speed_Rail_%2528HER%2529_in_Shanghai%2B%2528cropped%2529i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0NRlGy6Uus/XNG0BH0DpkI/AAAAAAAACVM/eiHzTXmCV980XpzgsbRWHosJV27Iywf3ACEwYBhgL/s640/High_Speed_Rail_%2528HER%2529_in_Shanghai%2B%2528cropped%2529i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Before departure from Shanghai to Beijing, China, 3 February 2018 (author: </span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Karlbrix&action=edit&redlink=1"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Karlbrix</span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">, Wikimedia Commons)</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>In een recent </b></span><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2019/04/waarom-europa-zich-uit-de-navo-moet_17.html"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><b>artikel</b></u></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>dat ook op </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2019/04/17/waarom-europa-zich-uit-de-navo-moet-terugtrekken">De Wereld Morgen</a> </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>verscheen </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>stelden we dat </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Europa </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>zich </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>uit de NAVO </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>moet terugtrekken </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>en een eigen veiligheidsorganisatie sticht</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>en</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> waarin ook plaats is voor Rusland. </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Zo’n stap is niet voor morgen</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>. </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wil </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>de EU</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> d</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>e boot niet missen, </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>dan</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> moet </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>het </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>haast maken met zich te onttrekken aan </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>het </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Amerikaanse juk.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het idee van een Europese defensie </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">ontstond na de Tweede Wereldoorlog </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">als reactie op </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">wat werd gezien als </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">de </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">stalinistische </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">dreiging. Onderhandelingen tussen de Britse buitenlandminister </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Ernest Bevin </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">en zijn Belgische collega</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;"> Paul-Henri Spaak </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">leidden op </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">17 maart 1948 </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">tot het Verdrag van Brussel, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">waarmee </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">het V</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">erenigd Koninkrijk</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">, Frankrijk, België, Nederland en Luxemburg </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">het eerste </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europe</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">se</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;"> defensieverdrag </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">sloten</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vervolgens vonden de Amerikanen de tijd rijp </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">om te onderhandelen over een </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">trans-Atlantische</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">defensie, wat een jaar later uitmondde in het Verdrag van Washington van 4 april 1949, de oprichtingsakte van de NAVO.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In het wereldbeeld van vand</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aag zou h</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">ervorming van de EU in een geopolitiek onafhankelijke Unie </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">met een eigen defensie, los van de VS, de doelstelling moeten zijn. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e Antwerpse politicoloog Tom Sauer </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.vrede.be/nieuws/het-voortbestaan-van-de-navo-een-aberratie-de-internationale-politiek-interview-met-prof-tom"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">pleit</span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"> voor een regionale collectieve veiligheids</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">organisatie, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">mogelijk </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">in de vorm van een versterkte </span></span></span><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organisatie_voor_Veiligheid_en_Samenwerking_in_Europa">OVSE</a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">, met sch</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">r</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">apping van NA</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">V</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">O-artikel 5 (een gewapende aanval tegen één lid </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">een aanval tegen allen) </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">en </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">opname van Rusland. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor Sauer vergt een ééngemaakt Europees leger de transformatie van de EU </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">tot één federale Europese politieke unie. O</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">f zo’n federaal Europa zich zou moeten beperken tot buitenlands beleid en defensie of alle beleidsdomeinen </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">omvatten</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"> zegt Sauer er niet bij.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">V</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">erdeeldheid over buitenlands beleid</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sommige analisten denken dat er best eerst een Europees leger komt en dat het gemeenschappelijke buitenlandse beleid er dan wel stap voor stap zal komen. Meer theoretisch ingestelde analisten stellen dat een uniform buitenlands beleid in handen van “Brussel” er eerst moet komen. Hoe het ook zij, de realiteit is dat de 28 Europese lidstaten uiterst verdeeld zijn over het buitenlands beleid. Het koloniale verleden van een aantal landen, de terughoudendheid van Duitsland na de Tweede Wereldoorlog en de angst voor Rusland bij de ex-Sovjetlanden speelt daarin mee. We geven een tweetal voorbeelden van die verdeeldheid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Het <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes-Picotverdrag">Sykes-Picotverdrag</a> van 1916 staat aan de wieg van de staat Israel. De EU moet zich dan vandaag het lot aantrekken van de Palestijnen. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Sinds </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">de </span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Basic Law: Israel as the Nation State of the Jewish People</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-is-the-nation-state-of-jews-alone-netanyahu-responds-to-tv-star-who-said-arabs-are-equal-citizens-1.7003348">is</a> Israel als staat enkel voor de Joden. Arabieren zijn niet gelijkwaardig. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Maar voor </span>Europees hoge vertegenwoordiger voor Buitenlandse Zaken Federica Mogherini <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/eu-s-foreign-policy-chief-we-wouldn-t-want-to-see-democracy-threatened-in-israel-1.6450193">gaat</a> die wet “eerst en vooral over de vraag hoe Israel zich definieert”, een aangelegenheid “waarover we het Israelisch binnenlands debat volledig respecteren”. Geen enkele kanttekening, geen veroordeling van een staat waar de ene etnische groep de andere domineert, in het jargon “apartheid”.</span></div>
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Op reis in Latijns Amerika <a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/03/maas-m03.html">bevestigde</a> de Duitse buitenlandminister Heiko Maas de onvoorwaardelijke steun van zijn land aan de couppoging tegen de democratisch herverkozen Venezolaanse president Nicolas Maduro. Dat geeft frictie in de EU: Italië, Griekenland, Slowakije en Cyprus hebben hun steun aan Guaido onthouden, en ook niet-EU-leden Noorwegen en Turkije hebben dat gedaan. Of de Europese publieke opinie akkoord gaat met de steun van hun land aan de zoveelste Amerikaanse couppoging is lang niet zeker. Dat zelfs Venezolanen die Maduro kwijt willen niet akkoord gaat met Amerikaans militair ingrijpen waar Guaido openlijk <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/juan-guaido-nicolas-maduro-venezuela-foreign-intervention-1413804">op aandringt</a> is ook in Europa geen geheim.</div>
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<span style="background: transparent;">Recent gooit Duitsland het blijkbaar over een andere boeg. Het <a href="https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Germany-Wont-Recognize-Guaidos-Envoy-as-Ambassador-20190327-0018.html">weigerde</a> Guaido’s “ambassadeur” te erkennen nu Guaido er niet niet in geslaagd is om binnen 30 dagen verkiezingen te organiseren. De Spaanse regering had er bij de EU-collega’s op aangedrongen geen diplomatieke status te verlenen aan Guaido’s vertegenwoordigers nu de regering-Maduro duidelijk de controle bleef houden over de meeste overheidsinstellingen. Blijkbaar vreesde Spanje voor de 180.000 Spanjaarden en de Spaanse economische belangen in Venezuela zoals de multinationals Repsol, Telefonica, BBVA en Mapfre. Op wereldniveau maakt de EU in het Venezuela-dossier geen goede beurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Gebrek aan militaire capaciteiten</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: transparent;">Om een volwaardig leger op de been te brengen zal Europa </span><span style="background: transparent;">het gebrek aan militaire capaciteiten moeten invullen. Vandaag zijn d</span><span style="background: transparent;">e lidstaten voor veel zaken afhankelijk van de NAVO en het Amerikaanse militaire apparaat. </span><span style="background: transparent;">Een Europees leger zal </span><span style="background: transparent;">moeten investeren in eenhe</span><span style="background: transparent;">den</span><span style="background: transparent;"> voor militair transport, logistieke planning, </span><i><span style="background: transparent;">air-to-air refueling</span></i><span style="background: transparent;">, drones, militaire inlichtingen, enz. Er moet komaf worden gemaakt met de versnippering van de </span><span style="background: transparent;">individuele </span><span style="background: transparent;">defensie-uitgaven. </span><span style="background: transparent;">D</span><span style="background: transparent;">e </span><span style="background: transparent;">Europese </span><span style="background: transparent;">legers </span><span style="background: transparent;">moeten worden omgevormd tot e</span><span style="background: transparent;">en slagkrachtig militair apparaat dat zich kan meten met andere grote mogendheden. </span><span style="background: transparent;">En er moet een Europees Pentagon komen dat dat leger beheert, </span><span style="background: transparent;">met als sluitstuk </span><span style="background: transparent;">een Europese minister van defensie.</span></div>
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<span style="background: transparent;">Voor wat </span><span style="background: transparent;">Europese </span><span style="background: transparent;">nucleaire afschrikking </span><span style="background: transparent;">betreft zouden tijdelijk de Franse en Britse kernwapens kunnen worden gebundeld, om die vervolgens in het kader van nucleaire non-proliferatie te ontmantelen. </span>September 2018 kwam er op dit vlak goed <a href="http://www.icanw.org/campaign-news/could-spain-be-the-first-nato-state-to-sign-the-tpnw/">nieuws</a> uit Spanje: in ruil voor hun steun aan de begroting 2019 kreeg Podemos van de Spaanse regering de toezegging dat Spanje als eerste NAVO-lid het VN-verdrag tot verbod van kernwapens (TPNW) zal tekenen. Dat zou een belangrijke doorbraak betekenen binnen de NAVO en een impuls voor een Europese <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">collectieve veiligheids</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">organisatie.</span></span></span></div>
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NAVO-leden worden zich <a href="https://www.ploughshares.org/issues-analysis/article/time-ban-bomb">steeds meer bewust</a> van het valse argument dat de NAVO enkel een <i>nucleaire</i> NAVO kan zijn. Spanje heeft laten weten dat het als NAVO-lid voornemens is om het VN-verdrag tot verbod van kernwapens (TPNW) te ondertekenen. Zelfs een land als Italië dat kernwapens op zijn grondgebied heeft overweegt het Spaanse voorbeeld te volgen en zijn verdragsrelatie met de VS te heronderhandelen.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Is d</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">e bijstandsclausule van art. 42 </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">echt wel </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">zo automatisch?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De eveneens Antwerpse p</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">rofessor David Criekemans </span></span></span><a href="https://www.mo.be/analyse/europa-staat-op-een-scharnierpunt-temidden-een-wereld-volle-geopolitieke-transitie"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><span style="background: transparent;">spreekt zich</span></u></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"> over een uitstap uit de NAVO niet </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">expliciet </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">uit. Onze defensie wordt volgens hem </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">“</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">wellicht” steeds meer Europees, met een eigen Europese defensie-industrie zodat we onze middelen niet richting Washington moeten laten weglekken. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Niet alle Europese lidstaten beseffen dat het zonder “</span><span style="font-size: small;">een meer geïntegreerd buitenlands beleid” </span><span style="font-size: small;">niet zal gaan, zodat Europese strategische autonomie nog wel een generatie op zich zal laten wachten, aldus Criekemans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Aanvullend wijst </span><span style="font-size: small;">C</span><span style="font-size: small;">riekemans </span><span style="font-size: small;">erop dat de veiligheidsgarantie in het Verdrag van Brussel (art. V), die thans verankerd is in <a href="https://maxius.nl/verdrag-betreffende-de-europese-unie-maastricht-07-02-1992/artikel42">art. 42</a> van het </span><span style="font-size: small;">Verdrag van </span><span style="font-size: small;">Lissabon, veel sterker is dan die van de NAVO (het befaamde art. 5) </span><span style="font-size: small;">en zou neerkomen op </span><span style="font-size: small;">een automatische militaire bijstandsclausule. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Wie art. 42 onder de loep neemt kan zich daar toch wel enkele vragen bij stellen. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Zonder </span><span style="font-size: small;">gemeenschappelijk buitenlands </span><span style="font-size: small;">beleid </span><span style="font-size: small;">kan het “operationeel vermogen” van §1 enkel ad-hoc ter beschikking worden gesteld, blijft een EU-defensiebeleid (§2) dode letter en houdt de VS/NAVO een stevige vinger in de pap. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Eenparige besluitvorming (§4) rond het defensiebeleid </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">in</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"> een verdeelde Unie is niet evident. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">bijstandsclausule </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">blijft </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">afhankelijk </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">(</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">§</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">7</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">) </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">van “</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">het speci</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">fi</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">eke karakter van het veiligheids- en defensiebeleid van bepaalde lidstaten”, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">lees NAVO-leden</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Opnieuw: </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Washington h</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">eeft het laatste woord</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">I</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ntussen staat de wereld niet </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">stil</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De EU </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">mag dan </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een economische reus </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn, maar blijft in de schaduw van de VS </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een politieke dwerg. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Politieke geloofwaardigheid in de wereld vergt </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">een </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">uniform </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Europees defensie- en buitenlands beleid. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Daartoe</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> zal het Verdrag van Lissabon moeten worden heronderhandeld. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Elke link met </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">NAVO moet er uit. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">2</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">8</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"> EU-leden op één lijn </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">brengen </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is niet evident</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Er zal hard onderhandeld moeten worden. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">I</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">n het proces vallen er misschien lidstaten af.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">I</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ntussen staat de wereld niet stil. </span></span></span></span>Tot dusverre haalt de VS de schouders op over het Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) van China, de grote strategische rivaal. Daarmee <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/washington-china-belt-and-road/">slaat</a> Washington de plank serieus mis. BRI biedt kansen voor Amerikaanse bedrijven. Deelnemende landen moeten niet noodzakelijk te afhankelijk worden van China. <span style="background: transparent;">China </span><span style="background: transparent;">wil </span><span style="background: transparent;">met zijn BRI niet de grote winnaar </span><span style="background: transparent;">zijn. </span>Als de VS niet langs de zijlijn blijft staan kan BRI een Eurazië teweegbrengen dat eerder multipolair is dan een door China gedomineerd continent.</div>
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<span style="background: transparent;">Vandaag bedraagt de handel in Afroeurasië meer </span><span style="background: transparent;">dan $2 biljoen. </span><span style="background: transparent;">De trans-Atlantische handel bedraagt “maar” </span><span style="background: transparent;">$1,1 biljoen. </span><span style="background: transparent;">Daarmee v</span><span style="background: transparent;">ormt</span><span style="background: transparent;"> </span><span style="background: transparent;">Afroeurasi</span><span style="background: transparent;">ë</span><span style="background: transparent;"> </span><span style="background: transparent;">met </span><span style="background: transparent;">zijn bijna 6 miljard </span><span style="background: transparent;">inwoners</span><span style="background: transparent;"> </span><span style="background: transparent;">nu al </span><span style="background: transparent;">het zwaartepunt van de wereldeconomie. Sa</span><span style="background: transparent;">oe</span><span style="background: transparent;">di Arabi</span><span style="background: transparent;">ë</span><span style="background: transparent;">, Rus</span><span style="background: transparent;">land en Turkije zijn belangrijke spelers </span><span style="background: transparent;">in </span><span style="background: transparent;">deze nieuwe netwerken</span><span style="background: transparent;">. Rusland, </span><span style="background: transparent;">centraal in het </span><span style="background: transparent;">trans-Euraziatische goederenvervoer, </span><span style="background: transparent;">profiteert van </span><span style="background: transparent;">Chinese investeringen </span><span style="background: transparent;">om Siberië, dat rijk is aan natuurlijke hulpbronnen, te ontwikkelen. Turkije </span><span style="background: transparent;">rolt zijn </span><span style="background: transparent;">vrachtspoorlijnen naar China </span><span style="background: transparent;">uit</span><span style="background: transparent;">. </span><span style="background: transparent;">Saoedi Arabië stelt zijn gigantische oliereserves ter beschikking van </span><span style="background: transparent;">het BRI-netwerk, </span><span style="background: transparent;">in ruil voor steun bij de diversificatie van zijn economie</span><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="tw-target-text"></a> Europa stelt zich meer en meer open voor samenwerking met China. De EU mag dan China een “systemische rivaal” noemen, Europa sluit zich niet aan bij de Amerikaanse handelsoorlog. Europa doet ruim $500 miljard meer handel met Azië dan met de VS en ziet w<span style="font-weight: normal;">aar de opportuniteiten liggen. Duitsland, Frankrijk en het Verenigd Koninkrijk hebben zich dan niet aangesloten bij BRI, deze Europese toplanden zijn in 2015 wel lid geworden van de</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Aziatische Infrastructuurinvesteringsbank. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Siemens heeft al tientallen handelsakkoorden gesloten met Chinese partners </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">en een twaalftal Europese landen heeft zich </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">intussen</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> aangesloten bij BRI, waaronder recent ook Italië</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Wie trekt zich terug uit </span><span style="background: transparent;">de NAVO, </span><span style="background: transparent;">Europa of d</span><span style="background: transparent;">e VS?</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="tw-target-text1"></a> De wereld van de 21e eeuw moet niet kiezen tussen Amerikaans of Chinees leiderschap. Het aandeel van Amerika in de wereldeconomie neemt af, het leger is overbelast en de geloofwaardigheid van de supermogendheid is in het gedrang. Al wat China ambieert is een plaats in een<span lang="nl-NL"> multipolair</span><span lang="nl-NL">e wereld. </span><span lang="nl-NL">Voor </span><span lang="nl-NL">China </span><span lang="nl-NL">is </span><span lang="nl-NL">de ontwikkeling </span><span lang="nl-NL">van </span><span lang="nl-NL">handelsroutes naar </span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Afroeurazi</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">ë </span></span><span lang="nl-NL">van existentieel belang. BRI moet het economisch verkeer </span><span lang="nl-NL">tussen </span><span lang="nl-NL">zo’n </span><span lang="nl-NL">100 postkoloniale en post-Sovjetrepublieken bevorderen. </span><span lang="nl-NL">Dat kan </span><span lang="nl-NL">enkel</span><span lang="nl-NL"> leiden tot </span><span lang="nl-NL">meer welvaart in de derde wereld, </span><span lang="nl-NL">betere zake</span><span lang="nl-NL">nkansen</span><span lang="nl-NL"> </span><span lang="nl-NL">in snelgroeiende markten en </span><span lang="nl-NL">een </span><span lang="nl-NL">multipolair Azië.</span></div>
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</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Zo’n toekomstbeeld sluit aan op </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een Amerikaans beleid waarin het niet meer </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">overal moet ingrijpen, maar in </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">het reine komt met zijn eigen beperkingen en tegelijk meeprofiteert </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">d</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e economische groei </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">die zich afspeelt </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aan de andere </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijde </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van de planeet. China </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">domineerde niet de historische </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Zijderoute </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en is niet van plan de toekomstige Zijderoute </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">te dicteren</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">, hoewel het wel het initiatief heeft genomen die te creëren.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De EU moet geen </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kant kiezen </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar zich openstellen voor elke </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">grootmacht, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een onafhankelijke koers varen en zich losmaken van de knellende overheersing van de VS.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Treedt Europa uit de NAVO, of trekt de VS zich terug uit het trans-Atlantisch bondgenootschap?</span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dit
artikel verscheen eerder op <a href="http://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2019/05/09/wordt-europa-een-geopolitieke-wereldspeler-of-blijft-het-aan-de-leiband-van-de-vs-lopen">De
Wereld Morgen</a></i></span></span><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-73885197616640171922019-04-17T09:47:00.000+02:002019-04-17T09:47:00.217+02:00Waarom Europa zich uit de NAVO moet terugtrekken<div class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bnoyEwWJUp0/XLbUL5nBHyI/AAAAAAAACUo/ewc2RfvkMA0nraRBEFNnRIYIJgBt7KEVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Ramstein%2BAir%2BBase%2BGermany%2Bcropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bnoyEwWJUp0/XLbUL5nBHyI/AAAAAAAACUo/ewc2RfvkMA0nraRBEFNnRIYIJgBt7KEVgCLcBGAs/s640/Ramstein%2BAir%2BBase%2BGermany%2Bcropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">U.S. Army Stryker armored vehicles convoy during operations in support of Steadfast Javelin II at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 3, 2014.<br />Steadfast Javelin II is a NATO-led exercise designed to prepare U.S., NATO and European partner nations forces for large-scale unified land operations.<br />Photo: A1C Jordan Castelan (Wikimedia Commons).</span></div>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nu Trump de bondgenoten niet enkel 2% bijdrage vraagt maar ook 150% van de kosten voor stationering van Amerikaanse troepen wordt het tijd dat Europa zich uit de NAVO terugtrekt. Het moet een eigen veiligheidsorganisatie stichten waarin ook plaats is voor Rusland.</b></span><br /><br />Amerika is een oligarchie. Kandidaturen voor presidentschap en Senaat en Congres worden verworven via politieke omkoping. Wetenschappelijk <a href="http://archive.is/diS6K#selection-2539.1-2583.84">onderzoek</a> bevestigt dat een kleine groep elites het overheidsbeleid bepaalt. Zo bepaalt de militair-industriële lobby in belangrijke mate het defensiebudget. Officieel bedraagt dat voor 2019 $617 miljard, maar dat is slechts het <i>Base Budget</i>. Inclusief een serie niet op de defensiebegroting ingeschreven onderdelen, maar exclusief de (para)militaire activiteiten van CIA en FBI, geeft de VS in 2019 aan veiligheid een bedrag uit van <a href="https://www.pogo.org/investigation/2018/02/americas-national-security-budget-nearing-12-trillion/">$1.135,7 miljard</a>, 5,4% van het BBP en meer dan een kwart van de Amerikaanse federale begroting.<br /><br />Het Pentagon is wereldwijd voortrekker in militaire uitgaven en trekt NAVO-leden Europa ($290 miljard) en Canada ($24 miljard) mee in zijn kielzog. Zo ontstaat een totaal NAVO-budget 2018 van $1.449 miljard, ruim 80% van het wereldwijd totaal aan defensie-inspanningen ($1.774 miljard). Aan de basis van de groeiende defensie-inspanningen liggen Amerikaanse en Europese percepties van dreigingen vanuit China en Rusland. De uitgaven van deze landen zijn echter slechts een fractie van het NAVO-totaal. China zou in 2018 $168 miljard hebben uitgegeven en Rusland $63 miljard, 12% resp. 4% van NAVO-totaal.<br /><br /><blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">De NAVO is goed voor 80% van de mondiale militaire uitgaven. De uitgaven van Rusland en China vallen daarbij in het niet.</span></blockquote>
<br />De Amerikaanse <i>National Defense Strategy Commission</i> wijst erop dat China en Rusland regionale hegemonie nastreven en zelfs mondiaal macht kunnen uitoefenen, maar een nuchtere Amerikaanse politicoloog als <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiu_6bNt8LhAhXpMewKHe13Ag8QFjALegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmearsheimer.uchicago.edu%2Fpdfs%2FUkraine%2520Article%2520in%2520Foreign%2520Affairs.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2culeOS-i2l2ovoI6GOBeK">John Mearsheimer</a> relativeert die stelling. Poetin heeft enkel gereageerd op Westerse provocaties. Het feit dat de NAVO tot de Russische grens is opgeschoven ligt aan de basis van de oorlogen in Georgië (2008) en Oekraïne (2014). De confrontatie met Rusland en China duwt deze grootmachten enkel in elkaars armen wat het einde inluidt van de unipolaire wereld sinds de val van de Sovjet-Unie.<br /><br />Sinds de uitbreiding van de NAVO maakt Rusland duidelijk dat het niet lijdzaam zal toezien hoe zijn strategisch belangrijke buurlanden Westerse vestingen worden. Voor Poetin overschreed de coup tegen de democratisch verkozen regering in Oekraïne een rode lijn. Beducht voor zijn marinebasis in Sebastopol annexeerde hij de Krim en destabiliseerde hij Oekraïne tot het land zijn pogingen om zich bij het Westen aan te sluiten zou opgeven. In 2008 zei hij Bush ijskoud dat toetreding van Oekraïne tot de NAVO het einde van het land zou betekenen. Maar ook de EU trok oostwaarts, tegen de zin van Rusland.<br /><br />Oekraïne is als bufferstaat van groot strategisch belang voor Rusland. Geen enkele Russische leider tolereert dat een militaire alliantie die zich duidelijk vijandig opstelt zich in Oekraïne vestigt en een regering installeert die het land wil integreren in het Westen. In koor gaf het Westen Poetin de schuld. Voor Merkel leefde Poetin in een andere wereld. Maar Poetin is absoluut niet onevenwichtig. Hij is een topstrateeg die op buitenlands beleid elke uitdager in de schaduw stelt. Hij streeft niet naar een “groot-Rusland”, is niet geïnteresseerd in de annexatie van buurlanden. Dat zou het militair, economisch en organisatorisch vermogen van Rusland overstijgen.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">De EU drong Oekraïne een handelsakkoord op zonder oog voor de historische context. Het land moet een neutrale bufferstaat worden.</span></blockquote>
<br />Was Oekraïne voor de EU en de NAVO van strategisch belang, dan had het Westen al lang militair geweld gebruikt om de crisis te beslechten. Men maakt een land toch geen NAVO-lid om het vervolgens niet te verdedigen. In een <a href="https://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-interview-henry-kissinger-13615">interview</a> legt ook voormalig Amerikaans minister van buitenlandse zaken Henry Kissinger de oorzaak van de Oekraïne-crisis bij het Westen. De EU duwde een handelsakkoord door, is ondoordacht achter Oekraïne gaan staan en heeft geen oog gehad voor de historische context. Voor Kissinger moet Oekraïne een bufferstaat worden.<br /><br />Amerika is vrijwel onophoudelijk in oorlog: sinds zijn stichting in 1776 maar liefst 226 van zijn 243 kalenderjaren. De overgrote <a href="http://www.loonwatch.com/files/2011/12/we-re-at-war-and-we-have-been-since-1776/">meerderheid</a> van de militaire conflicten sinds de Tweede Wereldoorlog ontstond op initiatief van de VS. Vergeleken met andere grootmachten heeft de VS relatief weinig soldaten op het slagveld verloren en nauwelijks burgerslachtoffers. Afgezien van de aanslagen van 9/11 werd oorlog met het buitenland nooit in eigen land uitgevochten. Anders dan Europa ziet de bevolking op eigen bodem dus niets van de rauwe realiteit van oorlog. En sinds de afschaffing van de dienstplicht in 1973 is de sociale controle op de Amerikaanse oorlogszucht tot vrijwel nul herleid.<br /><br />Het is ‘gewone’ mensen in de rest van de wereld blijkbaar niet ontgaan dat de VS sinds 2001 Irak, Afghanistan, Libië en Syrië heeft vernietigd en Iran, Venezuela, en misschien zelfs Rusland op de korrel neemt. <a href="https://www.globalresearch.ca/polls-u-s-is-the-greatest-threat-to-peace-in-the-world-today/5603342">Onderzoek</a> in 65 landen leert dat de VS (24%) als eerste wordt genoemd als land dat de grootste bedreiging vormt voor de wereldvrede, voor Pakistan (8%), China (6%), Noord-Korea, Israel en Iran (elk 5%). Respondenten in Rusland (54%), China (49%) en Bosnië (49%) waren het meest bevreesd voor de VS als bedreiging.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">De VS wordt als eerste genoemd als land dat de grootste bedreiging vormt voor de wereldvrede.</span></blockquote>
<br />Trump heeft twijfel gezaaid over de bescherming van Europa. Hij dringt aan op verhoging van de bijdrage naar 2% en op termijn 4% van het BBP. Intussen gaan de defensiebegrotingen mondjesmaat omhoog. Europese leiders zien Rusland niet als een ernstige militaire bedreiging. Voor hen past de annexatie van de Krim niet in Russische expansiezucht. Maar intussen <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-08/trump-said-to-seek-huge-premium-from-allies-hosting-u-s-troops">vraagt</a> Trump de “partners” ongegeneerd om ook 100% van de kosten van de Amerikaanse militaire aanwezigheid te betalen, met een opslag van 50%. Vandaag betaalt Duitsland 28% voor de Amerikaanse stationering, zo’n €1 miljard per jaar. In een <i>cost-plus-50</i> regeling zou de factuur voor Duitsland door het dak gaan.<br /><br />De harde Amerikaanse houding stelt Europa voor een dilemma. Moet het zichzelf kunnen verdedigen? Moeten de Franse atoomwapens het Europese continent afdekken? Wie zit er dan aan de knoppen? Opgeteld kan een EU-leger beschikken over 1,5 miljoen militairen, na China (2,2 miljoen) de grootste legermacht ter wereld. Paradoxaal genoeg is het juist de NAVO die zich tegen zo’n ontwikkeling verzet. Dit is gevoelige materie. Dat de Franse president Macron spreekt over een Europees leger en strategische autonomie irriteert de Amerikanen. De VS laat de NAVO waarin het de lakens uitdeelt en eigen belangen voorrang kan geven niet gemakkelijk los. Maar verzet komt ook uit eigen kring en vanuit de bureaucratie.<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wie pleit voor een Europese defensie moet ook het gebrek aan een ééngemaakt buitenlands beleid aan de orde stellen.</span></blockquote>
<br />Ook de Belgische politicoloog <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=16&ved=2ahUKEwjcgvjXl8bhAhXMwKQKHT5ZBuc4ChAWMAV6BAgEEAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.egmontinstitute.be%2Fcontent%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F01%2FEP103.pdf%3Ftype%3Dpdf&usg=AOvVaw2km8XbYtWTEKCFsTNtTeKo">Sven Biscop</a> is voor een Europese defensie. Hij pleit niet voor interventionisme, wél voor optreden “als onze vitale belangen in het geding zijn”. Als voorbeeld noemt hij Libië. Zijn uitleg over het oprekken van het VN-mandaat roept vragen op over de doctrine van “minimale interventie en maximale diplomatie” waarbinnen EU-optreden moet gebeuren. Biscop spreekt niet over het gebrek aan een ééngemaakt Europees buitenlands beleid en hoe binnen de EU wordt beslist over militair optreden. Per saldo sluit hij zich aan bij de <i>European Union Global Strategy</i> (EUGS) die zegt dat de NAVO voor de meeste lidstaten het belangrijkste kader zal blijven.<br /><br />Een opiniestuk van de Nederlandse politicoloog Rob de Wijk is gewaagder: “Wie roept de Verenigde Staten tot de orde?” Intussen staat wel vast dat Europa zich wil losmaken uit het steeds knellender Amerikaanse juk. Een militair volledig op eigen benen staand Europa is echter niet voor morgen. De geopolitieke transformatie in de wereld staat niet stil. De Westerse vijandige houding tegen Rusland drijft dat land steeds meer in de armen van China, dat via zijn Belt & Road strategie al belangrijke contacten heeft gelegd in Europa. Wil Europa niet tussen hamer en aambeeld raken dan zal het een fundamentele keuze moeten maken: wil het aan de hand blijven lopen van de VS die zich steeds meer op zichzelf terugtrekt, of zich openstellen voor een Euraziatisch <i>Wirtschaftswunder</i>.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">Europa moet kiezen voor een nieuwe pan-Europese veiligheidsorganisatie waarin plaats is voor Rusland.</span></blockquote>
<br />Zo’n fundamentele beleidsombuiging vergt de vorming van een nieuwe pan-Europese veiligheidsorganisatie en de opzegging van het NAVO-lidmaatschap. Frankrijk en Duitsland kunnen het voortouw nemen en worden waarschijnlijk snel vergezeld van andere Europese kernlanden. Hervorming van de EU in een geopolitiek onafhankelijke Unie vergt een grondige wijziging van het Verdrag van Lissabon, een kolossale, uitdagende maar doenbare operatie. De meeste analisten menen dat Rusland na de Koude Oorlog volwaardig NAVO-lid had moeten worden. De nieuwe pan-Europese veiligheidsorganisatie moet dan ook de opzegperiode met de NAVO benutten om een verdrag te onderhandelen met Rusland.<br /><br />In dat kader kan ook een oplossing worden uitgewerkt voor de Oekraïne-crisis. Het land moet een neutrale buffer worden tussen Rusland en het Westen, naar het voorbeeld van Finland tijdens de Koude Oorlog. Georgië moet in het voetspoor van Oekraïne treden. Oekraïne moet economische steun krijgen van zowel het Westen als Rusland, en worden aangemoedigd om de rechten van de Russisch sprekende bevolking te respecteren. Op langere termijn kunnen Oekraïne, Georgië en Wit-Rusland tot de EU en de veiligheidsorganisatie toetreden. Daarmee ontstaat een blok dat zich zowel economisch als militair kan meten met China.<br /><br />Zo ontstaat een multipolaire wereld bestaande uit Noord- en Zuid-Amerika, Eurazië en China, aangevuld met overig Azië en Afrika. Een wereld waarin de VS niet langer de lakens uitdeelt en waarschijnlijk minder gewapende conflicten kent.<br />
<br />Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-41549703731847280592019-03-28T13:05:00.000+01:002019-03-28T13:05:34.750+01:00Tensions rise between US, Russia and China over Venezuelan coup
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-CaAA3kvtM/XJy3_tRrb-I/AAAAAAAACT8/LsoDr60kjAYv7wiwhwpobLL6-M0XoOcQQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Venezuela%2Bpro-Maduro%2Bdemonstrations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-CaAA3kvtM/XJy3_tRrb-I/AAAAAAAACT8/LsoDr60kjAYv7wiwhwpobLL6-M0XoOcQQCEwYBhgL/s640/Venezuela%2Bpro-Maduro%2Bdemonstrations.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>US/CIA
Hands off Venezuela Philly Protest June 9, 2017, organized by Philly
International Action Center (photo source: Flickr)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">By
Bill Van Auken</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">US
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House Wednesday
that “Russia has to get out” of Venezuela. Asked how Washington
would enforce this demand, he responded, “We’ll see. All options
are open.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Trump
delivered his ultimatum during a White House photo op with Fabiana
Rosales, the wife of right-wing opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who,
with US backing, proclaimed himself “interim president” of
Venezuela in January, calling upon the military to overthrow the
existing government of President Nicolas Maduro.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rosales,
referred to by Trump administration officials as Venezuela’s “first
lady,” is conducting an international tour aimed at drumming up
support for the US-orchestrated regime change operation, which has
flagged noticeably since the fiasco suffered last month with the
failure of a cynical attempt to force trucks carrying supposed
humanitarian aid across the Colombian-Venezuelan border.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Both
Guaidó and his US patrons had predicted that the provocation would
trigger a rising by the Venezuelan armed forces against Maduro. With
a handful of right-wing opposition supporters and gang members
turning out for the “humanitarian” hoax, security forces easily
contained the attack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
latest US provocation has centered upon the arrival in Venezuela over
the weekend of two Russian aircraft carrying approximately 100
military personnel. An Antonov An-124 cargo jet and an Ilyushin II-62
passenger plane landed on Saturday at the Maiquetía airport outside
of Caracas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
arrival of the relative handful of Russian military personnel
triggered a flurry of denunciations from top Trump administration
officials, who have been orchestrating the bid to bring down the
Venezuelan government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">White
House national security adviser John Bolton declared that the US
“will not tolerate hostile foreign military powers meddling”
within the Western Hemisphere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Earlier
this month, Bolton invoked the Monroe Doctrine as the foundation of
US policy in Venezuela. This 19th century declaration of US foreign
policy initially was directed at opposing any attempts by the empires
of Europe to recolonize newly independent republics in Latin America.
In the 20th century, it was invoked by successive US governments as a
license for US imperialism to use military force to impose its will
throughout the hemisphere, resulting in some 50 direct armed
interventions and the imposition of fascist-military dictatorships
over much of South and Central America.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Secretary
of State Mike Pompeo, meanwhile, told his Russian counterpart Sergei
Lavrov, in a March 25 telephone conversation, that Washington would
“not stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions in Venezuela,”
according to a spokesman for the State Department.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
State Department called the arrival of the Russian troops a “reckless
escalation” of tensions in Venezuela, adding that “The continued
insertion of Russian military personnel to support the illegitimate
regime of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela risks prolonging the suffering
of the Venezuelan people…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">What
hypocrisy! Washington has imposed an ever-escalating wave of
sanctions that have gravely exacerbated the intense crisis of the
country’s economy, with Venezuelan working people paying the price.
A Trump administration official briefing reporters last Friday
boasted: “The effect of the sanctions is continuing and cumulative.
It’s sort of like in Star Wars when Darth Vader constricts
somebody’s throat, that’s what we are doing to the regime
economically,”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
Russian Foreign Ministry quoted Lavrov as having responded to Pompeo
by charging that “Washington’s attempts to organize a coup in
Venezuela and threats against its legitimate government are in
violation of the UN Charter and undisguised interference in the
internal affairs of a sovereign state.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
Russian Foreign Ministry said that the arrival of the Russian troops
was in fulfillment of an “agreement on military technical
cooperation” signed between Moscow and Caracas in 2001.</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: small;">As
in colonial times 200 years ago, the US continues to regard Latin
America as a zone for its exclusive interests, its own ‘backyard’
and they directly demand that it should obey the US without a word,
and that other countries should steer clear of the region,” Russian
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday. “[D]oes
the US think that people are waiting for it to bring democracy to
them on the wings of its bombers? This question can be answered by
Iraqis, Libyans and Serbs.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile,
a US official speaking to Reuters expressed concern that the Russian
military personnel who arrived on Saturday included a team of
specialists in cybersecurity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This
concern coincides with a new series of electricity blackouts that
began on Monday, affecting much of Caracas and at least 16 states.
The Maduro government has blamed the outages on sabotage, including
cyber-attacks on the power system’s computerized infrastructure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile
the Venezuelan situation has also ratcheted up tensions between
Washington and Beijing, with the US forcing the cancelation of a 60th
anniversary meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB),
which was set to begin on March 26 in Chengdu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
Trump administration had demanded that the IDB accept a
representative named by its puppet Guaidó as Venezuela’s
representative at the meeting. China refused to issue a visa to
Washington’s man, Ricardo Hausmann, a Harvard economist and former
minister in the government of Venezuelan President Carlos Andrés
Pérez, which oversaw the massacre of some 3,000 workers and youth in
the suppression of the popular 1989 revolt known as the </span><em><span style="font-size: small;">caracazo</span></em><span style="font-size: small;">.
Hausmann has publicly called for the US to invade Venezuela along
with a “coalition of the willing.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A
spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry defended Beijing’s
action on Tuesday, declaring that “Guaidó himself is not a
president elected through legal procedures and thus lacks
legitimacy,” adding that “changing Venezuela’s representative
at the IDB won’t help solve the Venezuelan issue.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In
response to a question about US denunciations of the Russian military
presence in Venezuela, the Chinese spokesman stated: “First of all,
countries in the Western Hemisphere, including Latin American
countries, are all independent and sovereign states. They have the
right to determine their own foreign policy and their way to engage
in mutually beneficial cooperation with countries of their own
choosing.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He
added, in a pointed criticism of US imperialist policy, “Latin
American affairs are not a certain country’s exclusive business,
nor is Latin America a certain country’s backyard.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
heated exchanges between Washington, on the one hand, and Moscow and
Beijing, on the other, expose the geo-strategic interests that
underlie US imperialism’s regime change operation in Venezuela.
Both Russia and China have established extensive economic and
political ties with Venezuela, which boasts the largest proven oil
reserves on the planet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">China
has invested upwards of $50 billion in Venezuela over the past decade
in loan agreements repaid with oil exports. Russia’s total
investments in the country are estimated at close to $25 billion,
including in the exploitation of a significant share of the country’s
oil fields.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Washington
views the Venezuelan crisis through the prism of the “great power”
conflicts with “revisionist” states that it laid out in the Trump
administration’s National Security Strategy and the Pentagon’s
strategy document elaborated at the end of 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">US
imperialism is determined to wrest control of Venezuela’s vast oil
resources for the US-based energy monopolies and deny them to its
global rivals, particularly China and Russia. To that end, it is
prepared to starve the Venezuelan people and turn Latin America into
a battlefield in a third world war.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>This
article first appeared on </i></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/03/28/vene-m28.html"><span style="color: #de7008;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>World
Socialist Web Site (WSWS)</i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>on
</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>28
March</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>2019,
and was republished with permission.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
<br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-27515840960599037642019-02-14T10:55:00.000+01:002019-02-17T19:00:16.135+01:00De tendentieuze berichtgeving rond Iran en Syrië<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Niet
iedereen in blij met de huidige Iraanse regering. Veel Iraniërs
willen meer vrijheid en een eind aan de corruptie. Maar zij wijzen
het Westerse imperialisme af. De tendentieuze berichtgeving over Iran
op het platform van onze publieke omroep is gevaarlijk want bereidt
de publieke opinie voor op gewelddadig Westers ingrijpen. Een oorlog
met Iran wordt geen lachertje.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘Met
de herverkiezing van president Rouhani in 2017 hoopten de Iraniërs
op een betere toekomst. Maar vandaag staat uw land door mismanagement
en corruptie voor een economische en politieke crisis. Daar komen de
nieuwe Amerikaanse sancties nog eens bij toen president Trump zich
terugtrok uit de nucleaire deal. De bevolking moet tegen het regime
in opstand komen. Een nieuwe regering moet dringend orde op zaken
stellen’. Dat is in de bovenstaande aflevering van <i>HARDtalk</i>
van 15 augustus 2018 de boodschap van de Britse journalist Stephen
Sackur aan de Iraanse politicoloog Mohammad Marandi.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Professor
Marandi geeft toe dat de Iraanse economie door een diep dal gaat,
maar binnen enkele maanden zal stabiliseren. “Ons land heeft veel
zwaardere crises overwonnen. De Amerikanen willen het Iraanse volk
klein krijgen, maar dat zal niet lukken. Ja, er is protest, er zijn
demonstraties. De mensen hebben dat recht. Gebeurt zoiets in ons
land, dan spreekt de wereld over burgeroorlog. In het Westen heten
identieke demonstraties een verworven recht in een democratische
rechtsstaat. Ja, de sancties van maffiabaas Trump doen pijn”, aldus
Marandi.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tendentieuze
berichtgeving van Jens Franssen over Iran</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aan
de beeldvorming over Iran schort in het Westen het één en ander. Zo
publiceerde Jens Franssen, journalist bij de Vlaamse publieke oproep
VRT, op 11 februari het <a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/01/28/in-beeld-40-jaar-iraanse-revolutie/">artikel</a>
‘In beeld: 40 jaar Iraanse revolutie’, dat samenviel met zijn
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EItTLlRoVQ&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1JbpKG35xOGObQvlD8YLqT31pbmirkMXjaPtPHMY1MiTKg3xqBoAKtYWs">reportage</a>
op Terzake TV over de Iraanse Volksmoedjahedien in Albanië. Zowel
het artikel als de reportage geven een vertekend beeld van de
werkelijkheid.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anders
dan wat Franssen eufemistisch “oppositie en druk op het regime via
sociale media” noemt gaat het om het verspreiden van verachtelijk
<i>fake news</i>
vanuit een NAVO-lid en kandidaat-EU-lidstaat
door een groepering die
door de Amerikaanse geheime dienst financieel en logistiek wordt
gesteund. Het komt neer op een internetoorlog tegen Iran door leden
van de Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), een groep Iraanse dissidenten die tot
voor kort op de Amerikaanse lijst van terreurorganisaties stond en
daarvan <span style="background: transparent;">werd
geschrapt om opportuniteitsredenen</span>.
Franssen’s “druk op het regime” is dus in werkelijkheid
cyberterreur tegen een soeverein land dat al kreunt onder verlammende
eenzijdige Amerikaanse <a href="https://www.jpost.com/International/US-sanctions-will-cripple-the-economy-of-Iran-say-economists-566521">sancties</a>.
Het zijn de beproefde imperialistische tactieken die aan een
militaire aanval voorafgaan.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Franssen
</span><span style="background: transparent;">schrijft
</span><span style="background: transparent;">dat
ayatollah Khomeini de macht greep en een “antiwesterse theocratie”
installeerde. Dat is tendentieu</span><span style="background: transparent;">ze
berichtgeving</span><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span><span style="background: transparent;">Het
<a href="http://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2016/08/21/de-chaos-van-het-midden-oosten-begon-al-in-augustus-1953">terreurbewind</a>
</span><span style="background: transparent;">van
</span><span style="background: transparent;">de
sjah </span><span style="background: transparent;">was
dan pro-Westers want geïnstalleerd</span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="background: transparent;">na
de </span><i><span style="background: transparent;">regime
change</span></i><span style="background: transparent;">
operatie tegen de democratische regering van Mossadegh, het </span><span style="background: transparent;">huidige
</span><span style="background: transparent;">Iran
is </span><span style="background: transparent;">daarmee
</span><span style="background: transparent;">niet
antiwesters. Het </span><span style="background: transparent;">land
wil goede betrekkingen met iedereen, </span><span style="background: transparent;">maar
</span><span style="background: transparent;">verzet
zich tegen de </span><span style="background: transparent;">onrechtmatige
</span><span style="background: transparent;">druk
van de VS, Israel, </span><span style="background: transparent;">Sao</span><span style="background: transparent;">e</span><span style="background: transparent;">di-Arabië
</span><span style="background: transparent;">en
enkele ex-koloniale Europese mogendheden. </span>Wikipedia
plaatst de nieuwe Iraanse staatsvorm in de juiste context: in een
referendum sprak de bevolking zich uit voor een <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamitische_republiek"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">islamitische
republiek</span></u></span></span></a>,
een staatsvorm die men ook in andere VN-lidstaten zoals Pakistan, en
Afghanistan aantreft. Met de regeringsvorm is dus niets mis.</span></span></div>
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</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tegelijk
bagatelliseert Franssen de “erg bloedige oorlog” tussen Iran en
Irak in de tachtiger jaren. “Tijdens
de oorlog wordt gifgas ingezet. Zo’n half miljoen Iraakse en
Iraanse militairen komen om,” aldus
Franssen, die insinueert dat ook Iran chemische wapens gebruikte en
daarmee Iraakse slachtoffers maakte. <span style="font-weight: normal;">In
<a href="http://www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/arming_iraq.php">werkelijkheid</a>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">viel
</span><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddam_Hoessein"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Saddam
Hoessein</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Iran
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">binnen,
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">met
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Amerikaanse
steun: </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">bewapening,
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">inlichtingen,</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">doelwit</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">coördinaten
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">en
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">materiaal
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">voor
de productie van </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">chemi</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">sche
en</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
biologi</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">sche</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
wap</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">e</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">ns.
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Zo
konden </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Iraakse
troepen dagelijks chemische wapens in</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">zetten</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
tegen Iraniërs. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Iraniërs
weten hoe chemische wapens ruiken” bloklettert Thomas Erdbrink op
11 november 2002 in <a href="https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2002/11/11/iraniers-weten-hoe-chemische-wapens-ruiken-7613658-a992227">NRC</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Alle resoluties in de Veiligheidsraad tegen deze </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">manier
van oorlog voeren </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">sneuvelden
door </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Amerika</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">anse
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">en
Brit</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">se
veto’s</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">En
voor alle duidelijkheid: </span>Iran
<a href="http://www.stopwapenhandel.org/node/1589">heeft nooit</a>
(chemisch) teruggeslagen. Een decreet van Khomeini <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/10/16/when-the-ayatollah-said-no-to-nukes/">verbood</a>
chemische wapens. </span></span>
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</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">J</span><span style="background: transparent;">ens
Franssen checkt zijn bronnen over chemische wapens in Syrië niet</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Eerder
<a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2017/07/hoe-onze-publieke-radio-de-oorlogshetze.html">sprak</a>
ondergetekende Jens Franssen al eens aan over zijn verwijzing in </span><span style="background: transparent;">het
radioprogramma ‘</span><span style="background: transparent;">De
Ochtend’ naar de </span><i><span style="background: transparent;">fact-finding</span></i><span style="background: transparent;">
missi</span><span style="background: transparent;">e
</span><span style="background: transparent;">van
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organisatie_voor_het_Verbod_op_Chemische_Wapens">OPCW</a><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Organisatie
voor het Verbod op Chemische Wapens in Den Haag, </span></span></span><span style="background: transparent;">rond
h</span><span style="background: transparent;">et
incident </span><span style="background: transparent;">in
Khan Shaykhun (Syrië) o</span><span style="background: transparent;">p</span><span style="background: transparent;">
4 </span><span style="background: transparent;">a</span><span style="background: transparent;">pril
2017 waar chemische wapens zouden zijn gebruikt. H</span><span style="background: transparent;">et
OPCW-</span><span style="background: transparent;">rapport
spreekt slechts van de </span><i><span style="background: transparent;">site
of the incident</span></i><span style="background: transparent;">,
maar </span><span style="background: transparent;">Franssen
</span><span style="background: transparent;">maakte
</span><span style="background: transparent;">daar
ongegeneerd “</span><span style="background: transparent;">bominslag”
van en verwees naar een Nederlandse anonieme bron (</span><span style="background: transparent;">waarschijnlijk
</span><span style="background: transparent;">een
lid van de Nederlandse diplomatie</span><span style="background: transparent;">ke</span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="background: transparent;">missie</span><span style="background: transparent;">
bij de </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">OPCW</span></span><span style="background: transparent;">),
die “met aan zekerheid grenzende zekerheid” wist dat Assad de
schuldige was. Opnieuw tendentieuze informatie </span><span style="background: transparent;">want
onbevestigde geruchten</span><span style="background: transparent;">,
die de publieke opinie moet warm maken voor ingrijpen.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Franssen
verwees naar een OPCW-rapport dat slinks
zegt: “mensen zijn blootgesteld aan sarin, een chemisch wapen”
zonder opgave van de
manier waarop dat wapen
werd
ingezet. In een later
rapport zegt de OPCW:
“Er is sarin
gebruikt.
Dat is een zenuwgassubstantie.
Wij veroordelen deze
gruwel[ijke daad], die haaks staat op de normen van de Conventie”.
Geen van deze rapporten
bevestigt dat sarin <i>als
wapen</i> is gebruikt,
noch <i>door het Syrische
regime</i>. Maar Jens
Franssen zegt dat zijn bronnen de
Syrische president Assad
als schuldige aanwijzen. Tot op vandaag is daarvoor
geen enkel bewijs. Franssen was niet bereid op
Radio1 in <i>prime time</i>
zijn berichtgeving recht
te zetten, minstens te nuanceren. Al
wat hij deed was ondergetekende blokkeren op Twitter.</span></span></div>
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</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jens
Franssen slaat zowel met zijn reportage als met zijn artikel de bal
goed mis. En dat is verwijtbaar want hij moet beter weten. Het is ook
gevaarlijk omdat zijn optreden op het platform van de publieke omroep
bijdraagt aan de beeldvorming bij het publiek op grond waarvan de VS
“eindelijk” Iran en Syrië militair kan aanvallen. In het geval
van Syrië deinsde president Obama daar voor terug toen hij werd
geïnformeerd over <i>fake news</i> over chemische aanvallen door het
regime van Assad en het Britse parlement groen licht voor een
<i>coalition of the willing</i> weigerde en ook het Amerikaanse
congres met vragen bleef zitten.</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><span style="background: #ffff00;">Update</span></b></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffff00;">Het
incident in Khan Shaykhun </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">op
4 april 2017 </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">was voor Trump
aanleiding om vanaf oorlogsschepen in de Middellandse Zee 59 Tomahawk
raketten af te vuren op de vliegbasis in Shayrat. Dat gebeurde op een
moment waarop niet bekend was wat er precies was gebeurd en wi</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">e</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">
eventueel schuldig was aan een aanval met chemische wapens. Achteraf
bleek dat het incident </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">was
gefingeerd</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">. </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">I</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">nternationa</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">a</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">l
</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">onderzoek <a href="http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/10/un-report-on-khan-sheikhoun-23-of-victims-hospitalized-before-the-incident-happened.html" target="_blank">leerde</a></span><span style="background: #ffff00;">
</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">dat de helft van de
vermeende slachtoffers in het ziekenhuis aankwamen vóór het
tijdstip van het incident</span><span style="background: #ffff00;">.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffff00;">Maar
Jens Franssen had zijn radiopubliek al laten weten dat “het regime
van Assad” een aanval met sarin had uitgevoerd. <i>Fake news</i>
dus op de publieke omroep.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffff00;">En
ook de ziekenhuisscène met kokhalsende kindertjes na de “sarin
aanval door Assad” in Douma op 7 april 2018 was gefingeerd. Dat
<a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/bbc-producer-says-syria-douma-chemical-attack-footage-was-staged/255152/">zegt</a>
Riam Dalati, een gereputeerde BBC-verslaggever </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">die
het incident ter plaatse heeft onderzocht. </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">Het
incident </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">werd
door </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">de
VS, het VK en Frankrijk </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">gebruikt
als </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">voorwendsel
om Syrische overheidsgebouwen en militaire installaties te
bombarderen, </span><span style="background: #ffff00;">en
dat terwijl er over de toedracht niets vaststond en tenminste één
NAVO-land wist dat het om een gefingeerde sarinaanval ging.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffff00;">Daar
waar de ziekenhuisscène wereldwijd
tot in het absurde werd
vertoond op de
grote televisiestations bleef het oorverdovend stil over het relaas
van Dalati. En ook onze publieke omroep kwam niet met een
rechtzetting.</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="nl-NL">D</span><span lang="nl-NL">irect</span><span lang="nl-NL">e</span><span lang="nl-NL">
gewapende confrontatie in de Golf</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Iran
viert </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">deze
week zijn </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">veertigste
verjaardag. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
heeft zich </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">tot
een belangrijke actor in de regio </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">ontwikkeld</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Als
rivaal van </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Saoedi-Arabië
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">geeft
het </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">steun
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">aan</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Jemen, Irak en Syrië en heeft nauwe banden met de Libanese
sjiitische beweging Hezbollah </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">die
een <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-government/lebanese-leaders-agree-new-government-political-sources-idUSKCN1PP26I">belangrijke
fractie</a> vormt in de Libanese regering. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Op
de Iraanse regering is <a href="https://www.mo.be/longread/dochters-van-de-revolutie">veel
aan te merken</a>. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Veel
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Iraniër</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">s</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">
wil</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">len</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">
n</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">iet
alleen bevrijd </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">worden
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
het huidige regime, maar ook van het </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">W</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">esterse
oriëntalisme en imperialisme. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Tegen
die achtergrond is correcte berichtgev</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">i</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">ng
van essentieel belang.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Iran
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">verdient
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">sancties
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">niet.
Trump’</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">s
bewering dat Iran z</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">ijn
verplichtingen </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">niet
nakomt</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
wordt </span></span></span><a href="https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2018/11/12/atoomagentschap-iran-houdt-zich-aan-afspraken-a2754895">tegengesproken</a><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
door de </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">VN-</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">atoom</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">waakhond</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Wat
de Amerikaanse p</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">resident
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">ook
beweert, hij </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">voert
een </span></span></span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/26/trump-idiocy-war-iran-president-midterms">hoog
risico campagne</a><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
om het regime </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">in
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Teheran
te provoceren, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">te
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">intimideren,
omver te werpen. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Door
zijn funeste onwetendheid </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">kon
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">president,
daartoe aangemoedigd door zijn oorlogszuchtige veiligheidsadviseur
John Bolton, wel eens belanden in een veel groter conflict dan een
eenvoudige crisis </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">met
het oog op zijn herverkiezing.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Iran
kent ook </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">hardliners.
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">P</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">resident
Rouhani kon die tot op heden in bedwang houden, maar deze lieden
konden wel eens de macht grijpen. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Dan
komt </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">het
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">schrikbarende
vooruitzich</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">t</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">van
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">een
direct</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
gewapende confrontatie in de Golf </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">steeds
dichterbij</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="nl-NL">Als
de vlam in de pan schiet loopt het echt uit de hand. Iran heeft
aangekondigd dat het de Straat van Hormuz zal afsluiten als het geen
olie meer kan uitvoeren. Er kunnen dan opnieuw raketten </span><span lang="nl-NL">vallen</span><span lang="nl-NL">
op Saoedische olietankers in de Rode Zee. De Amerikaanse marinebasis
in Bahrein kan ook een doelwit worden. Hoe reageren </span><span lang="nl-NL">de
salonkrijgslieden Trump, Bolton en Pompeo dan? Die kunnen dan nog
moeilijk terugkomen op hun roekeloze oorlogstaal van de afgelopen
maanden. Het antwoord kan </span><span lang="nl-NL">enkel
nog maar geweld zijn. Deze </span><span lang="nl-NL">gestoorde
</span><span lang="nl-NL">lieden
hebben elke weg naar diplomatie </span><span lang="nl-NL">afgesneden.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wordt
het conflict met Iran in Syrië uitgevochten?</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="tw-target-text"></a>
De balans in het Iran-dossier
is treurig. Iran laat zich niet afpersen. Men mag kritiek hebben op
de islamitische republiek. Maar de bevolking komt niet in opstand. Er
komt geen tweede revolutie op bevel van Washington, om tegemoet te
komen aan Trump’s valse, primitieve ideeën over vrijheid en
democratie. In dit hele dossier heeft de VS zich van zijn Europese
vrienden en Russische en Chinese rivalen vervreemd. Tenzij er snel
iets verandert krijgt Trump gewild of ongewild zijn oorlog. Als we
president Rouhani mogen geloven wordt dat de “Moeder van alle
Oorlogen”.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Teheran
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
niet van plan te capituleren, en al zeker niet zonder serieuze
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">strijd</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
Het probeert </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">een</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">
oorlog op allerlei manieren te vermijden, maar verwerpt de eisen van
Bolton en Pompeo die neerkomen op onvoorwaardelijke overgave. De
</span></span><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultuur_in_Iran">cultureel</a><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">
rijke en trotse Iraniërs aanvaarden geen </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
buiten </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">opgelegde
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">regeringswissel,
zelfs niet onder druk van pijnlijke sancties. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Dan
blijft de </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">mogelijkheid
open om </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
conflict - </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">waar
vooral Israel op aanstuurt - </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">buiten
de landsgrenzen uit te vechten, </span></span><a href="https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/waarom-is-israel-plots-zo-openhartig-over-aanvallen-op-iraanse-doelen-in-syrie-~b7ad075b/">in
Syrië</a><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">
ook dat wordt geen lachertje.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">pre.cjk { font-family: "Nimbus Mono L", monospace; }p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-76549687270412788512019-02-06T21:18:00.000+01:002019-02-06T21:18:17.933+01:00Naar een kernwapenvrije wereld, of Armageddon?<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Zg3utDHJCI" width="650"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">“De
Amerikanen willen hun eigen overtredingen niet toegeven. Dan treden
ook wij uit het verdrag. Maar we blijven vragende partij voor een
akkoord over tactische kernwapens. Dat is in het belang van onze
veiligheid, en van de veiligheid van Europa. Wij willen het debat
aangaan, maar dan moet de VS daartoe maar het initiatief nemen”.
Dat zei de Russische onderminister van buitenlandse zaken Sergei
Ryabkov in een reactie op het nieuws dat de VS zich terugtrekt uit
het INF-verdrag.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Wilkerson">Larry
Wilkinson</a>, ex-stafchef van de vroegere Amerikaanse
buitenlandminister Colin Powell en thans universiteitsprofessor,
<a href="https://therealnews.com/stories/nuclear-treaty-framework-is-in-dangerous-disarray-and-needs-to-be-rebooted">treedt</a>
hem in bovenstaande video bij. Het issue is niet enkel middellange
afstandsraketten. Het debat moet gaan over het totale
kernwapenarsenaal, actualisering van het <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-proliferatieverdrag">Non-proliferatieverdrag</a>,
en over conventionele bewapening. Niet enkel de VS en Rusland moeten
rond de tafel, maar alle kernmogendheden, ook Noord-Korea en Israel.
Hoe kan de wereldgemeenschap een alles en iedereen vernietigende ramp
voorkomen? Dat is voor Wilkinson de vraag. Wapenbeheersing moet niet
overboord, maar juist verdiept en verruimd, en openstaan voor alle
landen.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Kloof
tussen Europa en de VS</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
Amerikaanse uitstap uit het INF-verdrag maakt de kloof tussen Europa
en de VS alleen maar groter. De NAVO is superieur op het vlak van
geleide conventionele wapens, een overwicht dat Rusland
begrijpelijkerwijze denkt te compenseren met mini-kernkoppen op
middellange afstandsraketten, tactische kernwapens in het jargon. Die
worden dan ingezet op Europese slagvelden. Vandaag beschikt China al
over dit soort wapens, en India zal wel niet achterblijven. Maar het
overleg moet niet enkel gaan over wapenbeheersing, ook issues als
Syrië en Oekraïne moeten op tafel.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Voor
Wilkinson is h</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">et
Amerikaanse plan om nieuwe mini-kernwapens voor de korte afstand te
ontwikkelen die minder krachtig zijn dan die op Hiroshima en Nagasaki
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">volkomen
nutteloos. Kernwapens hebben enkel zin als afschrikking. Ze hebben
geen nut op het slagveld, hoe klein je ze ook maakt. Wie ze toch
inzet zet een escalatie in gang die enkel </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">kan
uitmonden in </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">een
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">grote
oorlog met </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">kern</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">wapens</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
die de overleving op deze planeet bedreigt. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Oer-klokkenluider</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/oer-klokkenluider-daniel-ellsberg-met-duitse-prijs-geeerd/article-belga-668429.html">Daniel
Ellsberg</a> heeft
daar destijds al duidelijk voor gewaarschuwd. Het is een weg die we
niet moeten bewandelen, aldus Wilkinson.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Kan
de wereld een nieuwe wapenrace voorkomen?</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
INF-verdrag is niet het eerste akkoord waar de VS uitstapt. Eerder
sneuvelden het <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABM-verdrag"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u>ABM-verdrag</u></span></span></a>
en de <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wereld/wat-is-de-irandeal/article-normal-1144971.html">Irandeal</a>.
En er is geen zicht op verlenging van het <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Arms_Reduction_Treaty">START</a>-verdrag
dat binnenkort afloopt. De <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/as-treaties-collapse-can-we-still-prevent-a-nuclear-arms-race/">publieke
opinie</a> is wars van een nieuwe wapenrace en van nucleair
wapengekletter door de wereldleiders, maar slaagt er niet in het
beleid om te buigen. Acties van individuele parlementariërs, steden
en het middenveld gericht op parlementaire commissies defensie en
buitenlandse betrekkingen hebben wel geleid tot b.v. de <a href="https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/mpss/c/GQE/ni0YAA/t.2nh/NlAYon84SVupmz4Uzi1h7g/h3/a8Z5LRyAEBMqydP-2FL-2F5LEsP3LhNdl-2FfaX-2FPrlCdNvzKHtZ1ZAGEFjQtbz-2BXwhMFOR31CODbgBxTX37csmCxmkWKN6L4aMWd5Tk823Q5IuGiSUqHHNakhQp16rfhQW8c9hD2bJ2GnU8Fb-2BxZ6fBcqkRvRrNmE1LrVrh1V0uYQApVLLS1w4CfI2T4-2BCnj-2Bvq3n98q9b9AveBfcuCNwfimrLYTCzEb5PDW4mlj5PfFEWa43LrmCLKborc2IOHRu52vMSiA0KO92d6srwdrWn1HA8boTgOBFdaYOa3cVYNUSUgDahKWYi8sWlrEKqKhLLbKFYG-2FsZR-2BE2-2BVd-2B4-2BW2REYVA-3D-3D">Prevention
of Arms Race Act of 2018</a> en
de recente <a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-warren-chairman-smith-unveil-legislation-to-establish-no-first-use-nuclear-weapons-policy">No
First-Use Act</a> van
senator
Elizabeth Warren en
congreslid Adam
Smith.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Blijkbaar
is een confrontatie met Rusland geen p</span><span style="background: transparent;">robleem
</span><span style="background: transparent;">voor
de VS</span><span style="background: transparent;">.</span><span style="background: transparent;">
Het Witte Huis maakt zich druk over een Russische kruisraket die de
500-km </span><span style="background: transparent;">limiet</span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="background: transparent;">zou
</span><span style="background: transparent;">overschrijd</span><span style="background: transparent;">en</span><span style="background: transparent;">.
Maar waarom heeft buitenland</span><span style="background: transparent;">minister</span><span style="background: transparent;">
Pompeo dan een <a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/445791-usa-demands-russia-scraps-missile-inf/">uitnodiging</a>
</span><span style="background: transparent;">voor
ee</span><span style="background: transparent;">n
presentatie van het wapen van de hand gewezen? En waarom beperkte de
EU zich slaafs tot de Amerikaanse versie </span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
Rusland, de eeuwige boeman, het INF-</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">verdrag</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
schendt? </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Waarom
verklaarde </span></span><span lang="nl-NL">bondskanselier
Merkel </span><span lang="nl-NL">kritiekloos:
“Voor ons is h</span><span lang="nl-NL">et
duidelijk dat Rusland </span><span lang="nl-NL">het
</span><span lang="nl-NL">verdrag
heeft geschonden ...”. </span><span lang="nl-NL">Eén
partij zonder bewijs veroordelen </span><span lang="nl-NL">is
een slecht startschot voor </span><span lang="nl-NL">o</span><span lang="nl-NL">nderhandelingen.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Wat
verklaart de Amerikaanse gekte?</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Na
de uitstap uit het ABM-verdrag in 2002 </span><span style="background: transparent;">had
de VS de handen vrij voor de installatie van </span><span style="background: transparent;">een
rakettenschild in Oost-Europa, op een steenworp van de Russische
grens. </span><span style="background: transparent;">Voor Rusland niet
enkel een bedreiging van </span><span style="background: transparent;">het</span><span style="background: transparent;">
strategische evenwicht, maar ook een </span><span style="background: transparent;">geduchte
</span><span style="background: transparent;">potentiële aanvaller
aan zijn grens. De Amerikaanse</span><span style="background: transparent;">
</span><span style="background: transparent;">afweer</span><span style="background: transparent;">raketten
</span><span style="background: transparent;">kunnen immers in een
oogwenk door aanvalsraketten worden vervangen. Alles duidt er </span><span style="background: transparent;">dus
</span><span style="background: transparent;">op dat de VS Moskou
beschul</span>digt van een inbreuk op een wapenverdrag dat het al
enkele jaren zelf schendt.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Voor
de Franse Ruslandkenner <a href="https://univ-paris8.academia.edu/PierreEmmanuelThomann/CurriculumVitae">Pierre-Emmanuel
Thomann</a> heeft
de VS het nucleaire evenwicht al doorbroken met de uitstap uit het
ABM-verdrag in 2002. Het heeft sindsdien overal in Eurazië
raketafweerinstallaties geïnstalleerd, een voldongen feit dat bij
Rusland en China enkel een gevoel van <span style="font-weight: normal;">omsingeling
kan opwekken. De Amerikaanse raketafweer verhindert immers de
mogelijkheid om terug te slaan bij een Amerikaanse nucleaire </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-emptive_nuclear_strike"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">first
strike</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
feit dat China </span><span style="background: transparent;">sinds
kort beschikt over <a href="http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1123263.shtml">hypermoderne
supersonische raketten</a> zal ook aan de basis liggen van de
Amerikaanse uitstap uit het INF-verdrag. China was geen partij in het
INF-verdrag. Voor de opkomende wereldmach</span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">t
werd de </span></span><i><span style="background: transparent;">‘<a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/pentagon-air-force-navy-fight-china-119112_full.html#.WH8b8WcizIU" target="_blank">pivot
to Asia</a>’,</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
de Amerikaanse herori</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ë</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ntatie
o</span></span></span><span style="background: transparent;">p
Azië, een existentiële bedreiging </span><span style="background: transparent;">nu
</span><span style="background: transparent;">die
gepaard ging met de stationering van </span><span style="background: transparent;">meer
dan de helft van </span><span style="background: transparent;">de
Amerikaanse </span><span style="background: transparent;">zeemacht</span><span style="background: transparent;">
in </span><span style="background: transparent;">Zuid-Oost
Azië</span><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Noam
Chomsky </span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">heeft
niet lang geleden <a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_13.html">gewezen</a>
op </span></span></span></span></strong><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">primordiale
problemen die de mensheid moet aanpakken. </span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Over
het risico op e</span></span></span>en
kernoorlog haalt
hij generaal
<a href="https://www.wagingpeace.org/general-lee-butler/">Lee Butler</a>
aan: “We
hebben tot
nu toe het nucleaire tijdperk vooral
overleefd
door goddelijke interventie”. Het
is de vraag of we kunnen blijven rekenen op goddelijke interventie
als d<span style="font-style: normal;">e
VS krampachtig vasthoud</span><span style="font-style: normal;">t</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
aan </span><span style="font-style: normal;">zijn
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">mondiale
suprematie </span><span style="font-style: normal;">en
de EU zich slaafs aan de VS </span><span style="font-style: normal;">blijft
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">onderwerp</span><span style="font-style: normal;">en.
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">Het
zijn d</span><span style="font-style: normal;">eze
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">twee
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">mogendheden
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">die</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
bepalen wat het wordt: </span><span style="font-style: normal;">ontwapening
of <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-nuclear-war-weapon-how-obama-made-it-easier-to-launch-a-nuke/">een
nucleair</a></span><a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-nuclear-war-weapon-how-obama-made-it-easier-to-launch-a-nuke/"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Armageddon</span></span></span></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-29982917986654902732019-01-18T08:00:00.000+01:002019-01-18T08:00:05.981+01:00Van 2018 naar 2019: de belangrijkste geopolitieke trends (5)
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bij de overgang van
2018 naar 2019 past een overzicht van de belangrijkste geopolitieke
trends in de wereld. In een reeks van vijf artikelen die we in kort
tijdsbestek onder deze headline publiceren geven we per issue een
beknopt overzicht van de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen, inclusief hoe
we die dit jaar zien ontwikkelen. Vandaag het vijfde en laatste deel:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Deel
5: </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>de
ontoelaatbare situatie van de Palestijnen </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>en
van</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Julian
Assange, en </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>andere
nieuwsfeiten</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJdImkYKEKo/XEBls5w9pYI/AAAAAAAACSo/ISFeqU424IABkQvluwSuEpsb6NBZqjpwACLcBGAs/s1600/69_anos_Al_Nakba_demonstration_Portugal%2Bcropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJdImkYKEKo/XEBls5w9pYI/AAAAAAAACSo/ISFeqU424IABkQvluwSuEpsb6NBZqjpwACLcBGAs/s640/69_anos_Al_Nakba_demonstration_Portugal%2Bcropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Pro-Palestine
activists </span></span></i></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">at
a 69 years Al Nakbah demonstration in Portugal</span></span></i></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Photo:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/romeritopontes/34685365215/">Romerito
Pontes</a> </span></span></i></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">(Wikimedia
Commons)</span></span></i></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Het
Israel-</span></b></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Palestina</span></b></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">
conflict: blinde vlek in de media</span></b></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
</span><span style="font-size: small;">slachting onder </span><span style="font-size: small;">de
Palestijnse bevolking door Israel </span><span style="font-size: small;">wordt
systematisch door de Westerse media verzwegen. Voor
m</span><span style="font-size: small;">ensenrechtenorganisaties
en media </span><span style="font-size: small;">die Israel op
de korrel durven nemen is hier weinig politiek kapitaal te verdienen
en veel te verliezen. De minste kritiek op Israel stuit op agressie
en de versleten beschuldiging van antisemitisme. Zelfs Joodse
activisten ondergaan dit lot. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Deze
reactie is vanzelfsprekend verwerpelijk, maar dien</span><span style="font-size: small;">t</span><span style="font-size: small;">
om de betrokkene te demoniseren en een signaal af te geven die
anderen moeten weerhouden van kritiek.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
gevolg van het te pas en onpas schermen met antisemitisme is dat
authentieke beschuldigingen niet meer worden geloofd en het kwalijke
verschijnsel weer zijn kop opsteekt. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
bij herhaling beschimpen van critici van de Israelische bezetting van
Palestina holt de kwaadaardigheid van een onverdedigbare ideologie
uit, een ideologie die in </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dertiger
en veertiger jaren van de vorige eeuw heeft geleid tot miljoenen
doden.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
<a href="https://www.france24.com/en/20190113-palestinian-president-plans-anti-hamas-measures-split-widens?ref=tw">laatste
nieuws</a> is dat de </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Palestijnse
Autoriteit van Mahmoud Abbas </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">maatregelen
plant tegen Hamas. Het gevolg </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
nog m</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">eer
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">ellende</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
voor de 2 miljoen </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Palestijnen
in Gaza die moeten leven in wat men enkel kan aanduiden als <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/gaza-is-een-schandvlek-op-ons-westers-geweten/article-opinion-915371.html">de
grootste openluchtgevangenis ter wereld</a>.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">En
recent liet </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reshet_13">Channel
13</a> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">weten
dat </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
lang verwachte </span></span></span><a href="https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/US-ambassador-to-Israel-Trumps-peace-plan-delayed-for-several-months-576478"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">deal
of the century</span></i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
president Trump na de verkiezingen van 9 april word</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">t</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
bekendgemaakt. De essentie is: een Palestijnse staat op </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">85-90%
van de Westelijke Jordaanoever, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">met
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">annexatie
van de grote nederzettingen en evacuatie van </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">geïsoleerde
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">illegale
nederzettingen. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Intussen
heeft </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Abbas
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
plan al <a href="https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Palestinian-Authority-rejects-peace-plan-presented-in-Israeli-report-577674">verworpen</a>.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Intussen
worden</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
België </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">d</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
dossiers van Gazaanse asielzoekers <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/erkenning-van-asielaanvragen-wordt-strenger-voor-palestijnen-uit-gazastrook/article-normal-1402843.html">extra
</a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/erkenning-van-asielaanvragen-wordt-strenger-voor-palestijnen-uit-gazastrook/article-normal-1402843.html">grondig
behandeld</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor
de </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">autoriteiten
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">rechtvaardigt
de </span></span>evolutie van de situatie in de Gazastrook een
herziening van het beleid. Wat die evolutie dan concreet betekent en
hoe men de individuele situatie van betrokkene kan beoordelen zegt
men er niet bij, wel dat men <i>de perceptie</i> heeft “<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">[voor
de asielzoekers uit Gaza] </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">ons
land</span></span><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
"the place to be" </span></span></em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is,
gevoed door smokkelaars”. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
bevoegde minister zou zelfs <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/erkende-vluchtelingen-uit-gaza-terugsturen-de-block-maakt-de-mensen-blaasjes-wijs/article-normal-1407933.html">overwegen</a>
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
dossiers van reeds erkende vluchtelingen uit </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Gaza
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">te
herbekijken en hen mogelijk terug te sturen. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor
<a href="https://www.vrede.be/nieuws/het-rechtse-opbod-rond-migratie-loopt-steeds-verder-uit-de-hand">Vrede.be</a>
loopt h</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">et
rechtse opbod rond migratie steeds verder uit de hand.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Saoedi-Arabië</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">De
meeste </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Westerse
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">mensenrechtenorganisaties
en media blijven blind voor de slachting </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">van
de bevolking in Jemen</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">door
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Saoedi-Arabië
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">met
steun van </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">het
Westen</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Op de ranglijst
van de mate waarin landen de mensenrechten respecteren komt
Saoedi-Arabië absoluut op de laatste plaats. </span><span style="font-size: small;">De
Amerikanen en Britten verkopen het land voor miljarden wapens in ruil
voor aardolie. Het waren Britse bommen die talloze slachtoffers
maakten in Jemen. Toch blijft Saoedi-Arabië een bondgenoot </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">die
alles wordt vergeven.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
Westerse liefde voor Saoedi-Arabië gaat wel heel ver. Een paar jaar
geleden werd een Saoedische diplomaat </span><span style="font-size: small;">als
expert </span><span style="font-size: small;">benoemd </span><span style="font-size: small;">in
de mensenrechtenraad van de VN. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Nadat
</span><span style="font-size: small;">in 2016 het land </span><span style="font-size: small;">werd
herkozen in de VN-</span><span style="font-size: small;">mensenrechtenraad
</span><span style="font-size: small;">kreeg het in 2017 <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-un-womens-right-commission-un-watch-middle-east-muslim-driving-clothes-a7698536.html">een
zetel</a> in VN-commissie voor vrouwenrechten.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wie
denkt dat er stemmen opgaan voor </span><span style="font-size: small;">sancties
tegen Saoedi-Arabië, </span><span style="font-size: small;">een
regeringswissel </span><span style="font-size: small;">of een
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>no-fly</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">
zone, komt bedrogen uit. Daarvoor is de macht van Westerse en
Saoedi</span><span style="font-size: small;">sche</span><span style="font-size: small;">
zakenbelangen te groot.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Algerije</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">De
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Arabische
Lente <a href="http://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikels/2012/10/31/arabische-lente-lijkt-aan-algerije-voorbij-te-gaan">lijkt</a>
aan </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">olierijk
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Algerije
voorbij te </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">zijn
gegaan. De Algerijnen hadden juist </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
bloedige jaren negentig </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">achter
zich gelaten en de regering had voldoende middelen om de sociale
vrede af te kopen. </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Maar
na de sterke daling van de olieprijs leek het land in 2018 <a href="https://www.mo.be/reportage/algerije-kookt-maar-zal-niet-ontploffen">op
een keerpunt</a> te staan. </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">De
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Crisis_Group">International
Crisis Group</a> w</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">aarschuwt
in een <a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/north-africa/algeria/192-breaking-algerias-economic-paralysis">rapport</a>,
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">dat
aan de orde kwam in de Financial Times en Le Monde, </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">voor
een catastrofale toestand in Algerije in 2019.</span></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dat
deze </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">bronnen
een land op de korrel nemen </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">gebeurt
niet uit bezorgdheid voor de bevolking. </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Het
is </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.globalresearch.ca/capitalism-is-a-failing-system-unable-to-solve-major-global-problems/5665196">een
schot voor de boeg</a> voor wat er staat te gebeuren: buitenlandse
inmenging, kleurenrevoluties zoals we elders hebben gezien. Het
begint met het </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">financieren
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">van
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">oppositie,
trainen van activisten </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">om
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">protestacties
en confrontaties met de ordetroepen </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">te
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">organiseren,
het vormen van een <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijfde_colonne">vijfde
kolonne</a> van door het Westen gesteunde Ngo's, zelfs het aanzetten
tot geweld en burgeroorlog. </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Moet
een overheid afrekenen met </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">dit
soort </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">aangestookte
onrust en </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">een
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">oppositie
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">die
</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">zijn
orders krijgt van de VS of één van zijn bondgenoten, dan is het
heel moeilijk om de geest weer in de fles te krijgen.</span></span></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Julian Assange</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">V<span style="background: transparent;">ia
WikiLeaks heeft Julian Assange heel wat duistere geheimen die
oorlogsstokers en financiële elites liever bedekt houden aan de kaak
gesteld. Denk </span><span style="background: transparent;">aan </span><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hx-jA2m_hY">het
neermaaien</a> vanuit een </span><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
Apache helikopter</span><span style="background: transparent;"> </span><span style="background: transparent;">van
tientallen burgers waaronder twee Irakese medewerkers van Reuters, en
het plezier dat de bemanning had over de meervoudige moorden die ze
juist gepleegd hadden. En aan de </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">‘Afghan
War Logs’, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">‘Iraq
War Logs’, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">‘Guantanamo
files’, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">‘State
Department Cables’ </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
heel wat andere diplomatieke berichten die de zwarte kant van </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream">het
land van vrijheid en gelijkheid</a>.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Washington
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Wiki</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">L</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">eaks
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
bedreiging v</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">an</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
de nationale veiligheid. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Assange
moet dus worden opgepakt</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Die
zit nu al meer dan </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zes</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
jaar vast in de Ecuadoraanse ambassade in Londen, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
z</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ijn
dagen daar <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wereld/dagen-van-assange-in-ambassade-ecuador-lijken-geteld-te-zijn/article-normal-1175989.html">lijken
geteld</a>. De nieuwe Ecuadoraanse president </span></span></span><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Lenin
Moreno </span></span></span></strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dreigt
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hem
de</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
ambassade uit te zetten. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Intussen
maken Australische actiegroepen zich bij hun regering sterk om hun
landgenoot bijstand te verlenen, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">m</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aar
ook Australië staat onder Amerikaanse druk. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Datzelfde
geldt voor de Britse regering. VN-m</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ensenrechtenexperts
hebben </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">opnieuw
<a href="https://www.thenational.scot/news/17315484.united-nations-calls-on-uk-to-free-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange/">geëist</a>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
het V</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">K</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Assange </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">toelaat
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Ecuadoraanse ambassade in Londen </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">als
vrij man te verlaten</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Tenzij
een nieuwe Britse regering Assange laat gaan </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zal
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hij</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
wel zwichten, zelf de ambassade uitstappen en in Amerika zijn
verdediging </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ter</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
hand nemen. </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
VS heeft een</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
verzegelde aanklacht tegen </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hem
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">klaarliggen.
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar
tot op heden is Assange nog nergens van beschuldigd. Het staat wel
vast dat hij daar <a href="https://www.legrandsoir.info/julian-assange-n-aura-jamais-un-proces-equitable-aux-etats-unis.html">geen
eerlijk proces</a> krijgt.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tal
van andere </b><b>nieuwsfeiten</b><b>, klein en groot</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bij
veel </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">incidenten
</span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">leed </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
VS gezichtsverlies, </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">denk
aan de </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Khashoggi-</span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">crisis</span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">de
betrokkenheid bij de oorlog in Jemen, de afgang in Afghanistan en
Irak, de mislukking om Maduro in Venezuela ten val te brengen, de
handelsoorlog met Europa en het rampzalige economisch conflict met
China, het groteske optreden van de Amerikaanse ambassadeur Nikki
Haley in de VN-Veiligheidsraad, het intellectuele deficit om een
productieve ontmoeting met de Russische president Poetin te hebben, …
</span></strong></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Wat
al deze pijnlijke zaken gemeen hebben is het feit de VS er maar niet
in slaagt zaken gedaan te krijgen.</span></strong></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
</div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-23166075915614553342019-01-17T06:50:00.000+01:002019-08-29T09:53:19.718+02:00Van 2018 naar 2019: de belangrijkste geopolitieke trends (4)<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Bij
de overgang van 2018 naar 2019 past een overzicht van de
belangrijkste geopolitieke trends in de wereld. In een reeks van vijf
artikelen die we in kort tijdsbestek onder deze headline publiceren
geven we per issue een beknopt overzicht van de belangrijkste
ontwikkelingen, inclusief hoe we die dit jaar zien ontwikkelen.
Vandaag het vierde deel:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Deel
4: Europa, migratie, en het <i>Verdeelde</i> Koninkrijk</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
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</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvkm7sH4LJQ/XWeCgXqAR8I/AAAAAAAACaQ/hLPuwLaZ4QU0U3LC0wxqNf9I-gi1euIPQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Brexit%2Bis%2Bracist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvkm7sH4LJQ/XWeCgXqAR8I/AAAAAAAACaQ/hLPuwLaZ4QU0U3LC0wxqNf9I-gi1euIPQCEwYBhgL/s640/Brexit%2Bis%2Bracist.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> May
Has to Go party and demonstration at London's Parliament Square, 10
June 2017</i></span></span></div>
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</div>
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</span></span>
</div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Photo:
</i><i><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8176740@N05">Garry
Knight</a> from London, England </i><i>(Wikimedia
Commons)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Europese
Unie</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Sinds
de financiële crisis van 2008 </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kruipt
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Europese Unie </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uit</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
de recessie. De </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aanpak
waarmee </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">elk
land </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">probeert
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
recessie </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">te
bestrijden is </span></span></span><a href="http://londonprogressivejournal.com/article/view/2841/the-german-elections-and-the-ongoing-crisis-of-european-imperialism"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">griezelig
</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://londonprogressivejournal.com/article/view/2841/the-german-elections-and-the-ongoing-crisis-of-european-imperialism">uniform</a>:
falende banken worden gered met </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">publieke
middelen, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">op
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">openbare
diensten </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">bezuinigd</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">gezondheidszorg,
huisvesting, uitkeringen en pensioenen </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">gesneden,
de </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">overheidsschuld
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">mag
oplopen door het injecteren van geleend geld in het </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">stervende
kapitalistische systeem. </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Met
concepten als 'de actieve welvaartsstaat' werden werklozen desnoods
met harde hand richting een baan geduwd.</span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Een
<a href="https://www.groene.nl/artikel/duits-europa">analyse</a> van
de Duitse samenleving </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">toont
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">wat
er mis is met Europa. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
flexibilisering van de arbeidsmarkt en </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aanslag
op de sociale v</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">erworvenheden</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
hebben een kaalslag </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">teweeggebracht</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">N</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">ieuwkomers
(migranten, vrouwen, jongeren) </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">verdienen
v</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">eel
minder </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
dat tegen </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">slechtere
voorwaarden. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
sociale mobiliteit </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">volledig
tot stilstand gekomen. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
economische groei </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">komt
ten goede van </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
steeds kleinere groep. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
politieke elite </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">heeft
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
bestrijding van werkloosheid (‘werk, werk, werk’) misbruikt </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
stuurt aan op </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
neoliberaal Europa.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
toename van onzeker, tijdelijk en slechtbetaald <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/sociologe-stephanie-mudge-over-de-teloorgang-van-links-mensen-worden-niet-geboren-als-socialist/article-longread-1414281.html?">flexwerk</a>
zorg</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
er ook</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
in andere Europese landen </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voor
dat steeds meer werkende mensen geen bestaanszekerheid meer hebben.
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Z</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">elfs
mensen die goed hun brood verdienen zijn bang. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
gele hesjes zijn veelal mensen uit de middenklasse die bang zijn voor
de toekomst. Dat is kenmerkend voor een samenleving waarin de
levenskansen van mensen afhankelijk zijn van de <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatiliteit">volatiliteit</a>
van financiële markten en regeringen niet langer functioneren als
instellingen die mensen </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">daadwerkelijk
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">tegen
die volatiliteit beschermen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Landen
als Italië, Hongarije en Polen kennen sterke anti-EU gevoelens. De
instabiliteit in Frankrijk </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">neemt
toe. Of aan de onderliggende bekommernissen van de gele hesjes zal
worden tegemoetgekomen is de vraag. De onrust kan </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">leiden
tot de val van de regering-Macron. Tezamen met het nakende aftreden
van Merkel in Duitsland </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dreigt
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
motor van de EU </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">serieus
te gaan sputteren en de EU te <a href="https://www.mo.be/analyse/europa-staat-op-een-scharnierpunt-temidden-een-wereld-volle-geopolitieke-transitie">verbrokkelen</a>
op het moment dat ze het meest nodig is.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
Griekenland </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
op de vijf mensen werkloos. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
Griekse economie staat in essentie onder Duitse </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">c</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">ontrole.
Het land is totaal </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">afhankelijk
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">geworden
van grievende noodleningen</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
van de rest van de wereld. Spanje worstelt </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">met
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
ergste cris</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">i</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">s
sinds het </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
1978 </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
'democratie' i</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">s</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">geworden</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
Catalaanse bourgeoisie, die </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aanvankelijk
de door de regering in Madrid opgelegde bezuinigingen afwentelde</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
op de “</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">gewone”
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Catala</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">nen,</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
verschuil</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">t
zich nu </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">achter
Catalaans nationalisme en spe</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">l</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">t
slachtoffer na de weigering van </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Spaanse </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">machthebbers
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">om
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
uitkomst van </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
</span></span><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalaans_onafhankelijkheidsreferendum_2017"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">onafhankelijkheids</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalaans_onafhankelijkheidsreferendum_2017">referendum</a>
te </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aanvaarden</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Besluit
de </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Nazi-junta in Kiev </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">dit
jaar tot een aanval op de Donbas</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">s</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">
of Rusland, dan leidt de </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">daarmee
gepaard gaande </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">chaos tot een
omvangrijke nieuwe vluchtelingenstroom richting Europa. Onder de
vluchtelingen treft men dan zonder twijfel ook heel wat ongure en
gevaarlijke types aan, </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">lieden
waarvan we er in de Tweede Wereldoorlog teveel gezien hebben.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>E</b><b>en
Europees leger?</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
een <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wereld/guy-verhofstadt-en-joris-luyendijk-het-zal-u-verbazen-maar-ik-ben-eurosceptischer-dan-de-britten/article-longread-1169137.html?">dubbelinterview</a>
tussen Europees parlementslid Guy Verhofstadt en journalist Joris
Luyendijk stond ook het idee van een Europees leger op de agenda.
Verhofstadt bagatelliseerde het vraagstuk op ergerlijke wijze. Aan
een Europees leger kleven grote dilemma’s, dat vergt een breed
maatschappelijk debat, aldus Luyendijk. 70-80% van de Europeanen mag
dan voorstander zijn, maar vraag eens door bij “de Europeanen”.
Moeten de Franse kernwapens in Europe</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">es</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
beheer komen met Commissievoorzitter </span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Jean-Claude
Juncker </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aan
de knoppen? </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Moeten
we onze zonen en dochters opofferen om Estland te bevrijden als
Rusland daar binnenvalt?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Professor
internationale politiek D</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">avid
Criekemans <a href="https://www.mo.be/analyse/europa-staat-op-een-scharnierpunt-temidden-een-wereld-volle-geopolitieke-transitie">ziet</a>
in de verwatering van de alliantie met de VS een keerpunt. Als men
Criekemans goed leest vindt hij het NAVO-lidmaatschap van de
EU-lidstaten eigenlijk overbodig. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
veiligheidsgarantie van art. 42 in de “Europese grondwet” is veel
sterker dan die van de NAVO, want voorziet in automatische bijstand,
aldus Criekemans. Tegelijk wijst hij op de noodzaak van een
ééngemaakt buitenlands beleid. Dat dit in essentie de overdracht
van de nationale soevereiniteit aan de EU met zich meebrengt zegt de
professor niet expliciet, wel dat de uitbouw van een Europese
“strategische cultuur” wellicht een generatie in beslag zal
nemen.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Navraag
bij professor Criekemans over zijn visie op een Europees leger levert
op dat hij een uitstap niet voor morgen ziet. D</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
EU-veiligheidsgarantie </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
daar niet klaar voor, kan b.v. niet zonder logistieke zaken als
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><i>air-to-air
refueling</i>, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aldus
Criekemans. En het is de vraag of </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">landen
als N</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">ederland
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">of
D</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">enemarken</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
meewillen, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">nog
afgezien van het manco aan een </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Europese
strategische cultuur.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Migratie</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">Volgens
een </span></span></span><a href="https://www.11.be/en/component/docman/doc_download/1943-feitenboekje-campagne-2017"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">brochure</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">
van 11.11.11 zijn w</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">ereldwijd
65 miljoen mensen op de vlucht. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
het debat komt de vraag w</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">aarom
die mensen </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">vluchten
nauwelijks aan </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">bod</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
politiek heeft niet de moed om de vinger op de wonde te leggen.
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vrijwel
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">alle
volksvertegenwoordigers </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">waren
akkoord </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">met
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">militair
ingrijpen</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">
zoals </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
Afghanistan, Irak, Syrië en Libië</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">mede
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">in</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">
onze naam gepleegde </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">oorlogsgeweld,
d</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">át
is </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
reden </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">waarom
mensen huis en haard verlaten. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">En
dus moeten wij onze verantwoordelijkheid nemen, vluchtelingen
opvangen en voortaan drie maal nadenken voor we steun verlenen aan
miltair ingrijpen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
Europa was er veel te doen over het VN <i>global compact on
migration</i>. In België viel zelfs de regering over dit issue. De
N-VA kwam met valse of weinig ter zake doende argumenten. Zo zou het
VN-pact meer migranten richting Europa lokken. Landen zouden
arbeidsmigratie moeten faciliteren en migranten begeleiden. Er zou
onvoldoende onderscheid zijn tussen legale en illegale migranten.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
de communicatie is het vaak om “</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">eigen
volk” te </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">doen</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Diezelfde </span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">N-VA
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">heeft
wel </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">gestemd
voor het pensioen op 67 jaar, de indexsprong </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
verhoging van btw en accijnzen.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
echte motief om de regering te laten vallen lijkt dus om de afbouw
van de sociale zekerheid te verdoezelen en de gele-vestjes-woede af
te wentelen op de migranten.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maar
verzet tegen migratie is contraproductief. Europa heeft migranten
hard nodig. De vergrijzing bedreigt onze welvaartsstaat. Hongarije
voert ijskoud de “slavenwet” in, Oostenrijk doet iets dergelijks
(12 uur/dag of 6 uur/week zonder loontoeslag), en Italië schuift een
pakket sociale maatregelen op de lange baan.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Uit
<a href="https://www.hln.be/nieuws/buitenland/migratie-niet-de-oorzaak-maar-wel-katalysator-van-populisme-in-europa~aff9a01b/">onderzoek</a>
blijkt dat m</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">igratie
niet de oorzaak, maar wel katalysator </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">populisme
in Europa. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Migratie
heeft wel sluimerende </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">conflicten
in Europa naar boven </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">laten
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">komen.
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Zie
het hoofdstuk Europese Unie.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brexit</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dinsdag
leed de Britse premier Theresa May in het Brexit-debat een
verpletterende nederlaag. De grote boosdoener was de </span><a href="http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20181205_04011513"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>backstop</i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">d</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ie</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">moet
garanderen dat de Noord-Ierse grens met Ierland open blijft. De
Brexitdeal voorziet in een overgangsperiode tot 31 december 2020. Tot
dan blijft er vrij verkeer van personen en goederen, en kunnen de EU
en Londen een handelsakkoord uitwerken. Lukt dat in die periode niet,
dan treedt de </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>backstop</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">
in werking en blijft het VK in een douane-unie met de EU zodat de
grens Noord-Ierland/Ierland open kan blijven. Noord-Ierland zou dan
de EU-regels blijven volgen, de rest van het VK niet.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Normaal
betekent zo’n nederlaag het aftreden van de regeringsleider. Maar
gisteren overleefde May de vertrouwensstemming die Labourleider
Jeremy Corbin had ingediend met 325 tegen 306 stemmen. Een
meerderheid had dan wel genoeg van May, maar vond het scenario van
een Labour-regering onder Jeremy Corbin blijkbaar een nog grotere
ramp. In alle nuchterheid, een Labour-regering was geen avance.
Labour weet immers ook niet hoe het moet. Bij het referendum in 2016
kreeg de bevolking een eenvoudige vraag voorgelegd: blijven of
vertrekken. Blijkbaar is het niet zo simpel.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
grote vraag is natuurlijk: wat nu? May blijft stug doorgaan. Het voor
maandag aangekondigde nieuwe voorstel lijkt een <i>mission
impossible</i>. Een nieuwe Conservatieve premier is al evenmin het
antwoord. Niemand weet hoe het dan wél moet. Intussen zou een
Conservatief parlementslid een voorstel voor een tweede referendum
hebben ingediend. Zo’n initiatief lijkt gerechtvaardigd. De kiezer
is in de aanloop naar het referendum in 2016 een pak leugens
verkocht. En als de politiek er zelf niet uitkomt moet de kiezer de
knoop maar doorhakken. Nu de nadelen en risico’s bekend zijn lijkt
de stemming richting <i>Remain</i> te gaan.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
oplossing die May voor ogen staat zal wel een verlenging van de
overgangsperiode met één jaar zijn. Het VK blijft dan tot eind 2021
in de interne markt, blijft de EU-regels volgen, en blijft betalen
voor zijn toegang tot de Europese markt. Raakt de in die zin
aangepaste deal niet door het parlement, dan blijft de optie
<i>no-Brexit</i> over, al of niet op grond van een tweede referendum.
Een <i>no-deal</i>, een harde Brexit op 29 maart zonder akkoord, is
geen optie: slecht voor de EU, maar rampzalig voor het VK. Ian
Blackford, de leider van de Scottish National Party, zei daarvan:
“Het VK is op weg naar zelfvernietiging”. En in een no-deal
scenario zou de grens met Ierland dicht moeten, met alle risico’s
van een hervatting van <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles"><i>The
Troubles</i></a> van dien.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Theoretisch
is e</span><span style="font-size: small;">r
een </span><span style="font-size: small;">eenvoudige</span><span style="font-size: small;">
oplossing: <a href="https://geografie.nl/artikel/van-brexit-uit-de-eu-naar-exit-noord-ierland">Ierse
hereniging</a>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">De
grens met de EU ligt dan in de Ierse Zee en Noordzee. Maar het
“verlies” van Noord-Ierland betekent niet enkel het einde van het
Verenigd Koninkrijk. De Schotten, die zich van meet af aan tegen
Brexit hebben verzet, zullen zich dan eveneens willen afscheiden, en
ook een meerderheid in Wales ziet niets in Brexit. In zo’n scenario
ligt het einde van </span><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groot-Brittanni%C3%AB"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Great
Britain</i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">
in het verschiet, het land dat maar niet over zijn <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wereld/de-brexit-is-de-hoogmoed-van-het-heimwee/article-opinion-1399123.html">glorieus
verleden als </a></span><a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wereld/de-brexit-is-de-hoogmoed-van-het-heimwee/article-opinion-1399123.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Empire</i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">
heenkomt.</span></span></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-70928028787306926702019-01-16T06:23:00.000+01:002019-01-16T08:13:45.653+01:00Van 2018 naar 2019: de belangrijkste geopolitieke trends (3)<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bij de overgang van
2018 naar 2019 past een overzicht van de belangrijkste geopolitieke
trends in de wereld. In een reeks van vijf artikelen die we in kort
tijdsbestek onder deze headline publiceren geven we per issue een
beknopt overzicht van de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen, inclusief hoe
we die dit jaar zien ontwikkelen. Vandaag het derde deel:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Deel
3 – Rusland laat zich niet intimideren</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IoQG-OV-E7A/XDy5efqTgSI/AAAAAAAACSE/e8mIFiCgZ8InuDGCO5E5BRA19pMNYjWywCLcBGAs/s1600/Putin%2Bwith%2Bworld%2Bleaders%2Bat%2BVictory_Day_Commemoration%252C_at_Moscow%252C_in_Russia_on_May_09%252C_2015cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IoQG-OV-E7A/XDy5efqTgSI/AAAAAAAACSE/e8mIFiCgZ8InuDGCO5E5BRA19pMNYjWywCLcBGAs/s640/Putin%2Bwith%2Bworld%2Bleaders%2Bat%2BVictory_Day_Commemoration%252C_at_Moscow%252C_in_Russia_on_May_09%252C_2015cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">President Putin with world leaders at the Victory Day Commemoration in Moscow, May 9, 2015.</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: <a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56009715">President's Secretariat</a> </span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<b>Hoe Rusland
internationale problemen aanpakt</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Men
kan de betrokkenheid van Rusland in Syrië niet </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">duiden</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
als een militaire interventie </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
stijl</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
Rusland is in Syrië op uitdrukkelijke uitnodiging van de legitieme
regering van soeverein Syrië. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
een interview op 31 oktober 2016 </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">op
de </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Russische
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">televisie</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
maakte </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">president
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Poetin
het doel van de tussenkomst <a href="https://www.mondialisation.ca/week-thirteen-of-the-russian-intervention-in-syria-debunking-the-lies-this-will-be-a-long-war/5499373">duidelijk</a>:
“stabiliseren van de legitieme Syrische overheid en de voorwaarden
scheppen voor een politiek compromis”. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Geen
inval </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dus
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">met
overdadig geweld, maar </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">inzet
van </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
bescheiden troepenmacht </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">w</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aarmee
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Russen de druk op het Noordelijk front </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">wisten
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">te
verlichten zodat de Syrische troepen een tegenoffensief konden
inzetten. De Syrische bevolking bepaalt hoe hun overheid er uit ziet, niet het buitenland.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vergelijk
dat met de Amerikaanse </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Global
War on Terror</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
sinds 2001. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
“geallieerde” geweld van “vreemdelingen in de regio” lokte
enkel meer gewapend verzet uit. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
machthebbers in Washington </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kunnen
dat maar niet inzien</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Blijven
de resultaten uit, dan voeren ze </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hun
gewelddadig optreden op, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">laten
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">conflicten
escaleren </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">of
“bevriezen”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
In een land als Afghanistan is de VS al langer bezig dan destijds de
Sovjets. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Moet
men daaruit niet </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">concluderen</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
dat de Amerikaanse leiders nog incompetenter zijn dan de
<a href="https://books.google.be/books?id=HC4qDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT41&lpg=PT41&dq=gerontocraten&source=bl&ots=NCw-QR2yqm&sig=gXnA6gGTKc13xuXg_f_Kp8LhSro&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiP_KT01OffAhWGC-wKHZePDhsQ6AEwBnoECAMQAQ#v=onepage&q=gerontocraten&f=false">gerontocraten</a>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">destijds
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
de stagnerende Sovjet-Unie?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">M</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">aar
ook onze dappere Lage Landen zetten stug door. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Zo
<a href="https://www.mil.be/nl/operaties-afghanistan?page=3">werkt</a>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">een
Belgisch <i>multisensordetachement</i> van het </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Bataljon
Jagers te Paard</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">rond</span><span style="font-size: small;">
de internationale luchthaven van Mazar-e-Sharif </span><span style="font-size: small;">(Noord-</span><span style="font-size: small;">Afghanistan</span><span style="font-size: small;">)</span><span style="font-size: small;">.
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Andere B</span><span style="font-size: small;">elgen
</span><span style="font-size: small;">zitten</span><span style="font-size: small;">
in </span><span style="font-size: small;">Kaboel</span><span style="font-size: small;">.
</span><span style="font-size: small;">En als we <a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/01/13/defensie-wil-aanwezigheid-dit-jaar-in-afghanistan-opvoeren/">VRT-nieuws</a>
mogen geloven wil Defensie de Belgische aanwezigheid nog opvoeren. En
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Nederland </span><span style="font-size: small;">verstevigt
</span><span style="font-size: small;">met 145 militairen de
Afghaanse politie en het leger. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Allemaal
ter ondersteuning van een corrupt en verdeeld regime dat </span><span style="font-size: small;">het
land maar niet op orde krijgt</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">H</span><span style="font-size: small;">et
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Nederlandse</span><span style="font-size: small;">
weekblad Elsevier </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/opinie/blog/2019/01/afghanistan-hopeloos-maar-niet-ernstig-666336/">wijst</a>
op de noodzaak van </span><span style="font-size: small;">een
politieke oplossing, </span><span style="font-size: small;">maar
begrijpt niet dat </span><span style="font-size: small;">de
“twintig- tot veertigduizend” </span><span style="font-size: small;">man
sterke </span><span style="font-size: small;">Taliban weigert
</span><span style="font-size: small;">te praten terwijl ze
onder vuur liggen van 150.000 Amerikaanse en tienduizenden
“geallieerde” militairen. </span>Het blad ziet in een
achterhaalde uitspraak van <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zbigniew_Brzezi%C5%84ski">Zbigniew
Brzezinski</a> het beste pleidooi voor aanwezigheid van “de
internationale gemeenschap” in Afghanistan. Meer van hetzelfde dus,
terwijl NRC meent dat missies naar welk buitenland dan ook <a href="https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/01/12/nederlandse-militairen-op-missie-sturen-is-niet-meer-verantwoord-a3491410">niet
meer verantwoord</a> zijn.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Fake News</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Grote spelers in de
massamedia, maar ook Ngo's en mensenrechtenorganisaties, worden door
menig lezer/kijker gezien als instrument van de elite. Kritische
geesten halen hun informatie bij alternatieve nieuwswebsites en
YouTube. Vandaag kost het niet veel om een blog of YouTubekanaal op
te zetten. Zo’n alternatief medium dat open staat voor miljoenen
kijkers kan heel effectief zijn om de boodschap van de massamedia
door te prikken. Vandaar dat steeds meer van die alternatieve media
worden afgeschilderd als fake news of Russische propaganda. De
Westerse elite verliest zijn greep op wat het publiek wordt
voorgeschoteld. Wat zij niet onder controle kunnen krijgen wordt dus
gedemoniseerd.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>De “dreiging”
van Rusland</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://thesaker.is/the-president-of-russia-delivered-the-address-to-the-federal-assembly/">s</a><a href="https://thesaker.is/the-president-of-russia-delivered-the-address-to-the-federal-assembly/">tate
of the unio</a><a href="https://thesaker.is/the-president-of-russia-delivered-the-address-to-the-federal-assembly/">n</a></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">verklaarde
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">president
Poetin </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
de</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
militaire </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">afschrikking</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
de VS </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">voorbijgestreefd
is. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Die
is gebaseerd op een overwicht in luchtstrijdkrachten,
langeafstandsraketten, vliegdekschepen, antiraketsystemen en meer dan
800 militaire basissen over de hele wereld. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Syrië
is de Russische '<a href="https://thedefensepost.com/2018/05/01/russia-syria-electronic-warfare/">ultieme
proeftuin</a>' geworden voor </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">hypermoderne
luchtafweer</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">installaties
en systemen voor <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elektronische_oorlogvoering">elektronische
oorlogsvoering</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Russi</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">s</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">che
gevechtsvliegtuigen zijn sterke rivalen</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
Amerikaanse piloten boven Syrië kiezen blijkbaar het hazenpas </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">als</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
ze Russische <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-35">Su-35S</a>
gevechtsvliegtuigen in het vizier krijgen. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Met
het hypersonische </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kh-47M2_Kinzhal"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Kinzhal</span></i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
raketsysteem </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
immuun is voor afweer ka</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">n
de hele Amerikaanse vloot <a href="http://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2018/03/it-is-official-and-it-is-over.html">uit
het water</a> worden geschoten. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
nieuwe Russische wapensystemen kunnen </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">g</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
Amerikaanse aanval voorkomen, maar </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">vertegenwoordigen
wel </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">geduchte
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">vergeldingsmogelijkheden.
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vandaag
kan Rusland </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">elk
Amerikaans doelwit waar ook ter wereld uitschakelen.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
Amerika</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">anse</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
planners zitten met de handen in het haar. De supermogendheid heeft
een achterstand van tenminste tien jaar op de bewapening van een land
met een tien maal kleiner defensiebudget. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">rampzalige</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">torpedobootjager
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Zumwalt">Zumwalt</a>,
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">peperdure
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2018/06/f-35-amerikaans-exportsucces-of-1.html">F-35</a>
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">stealth
gevechtsvliegtuig waar <a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2018/10/25/opinie-pierre-therie-waarom-de-f35-een-fout-keuze-is/">ook
België</a> voor heeft gekozen</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
de <a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2017/07/22/grootste_vliegdekschipooitingewijddoortrump-1-3030781/">USS
Gerald Ford</a>, het grootste en meest geavanceerde Amerikaanse
vliegdekschip ooit, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">met
een prijskaartje van €</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">11
miljard, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
zijn allemaal stuitende voorbeelden van de verspilling van
belastinggeld in achterhaalde wapensystemen.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">... </span></span></span></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-44721255020878892422019-01-15T07:30:00.000+01:002019-01-15T09:40:10.708+01:00Van 2018 naar 2019: de belangrijkste geopolitieke trends (2)<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bij
de overgang van 2018 naar 2019 past een overzicht van de
belangrijkste geopolitieke trends in de wereld. In een reeks van vijf
artikelen die we in kort tijdsbestek onder deze headline publiceren
geven we per issue een beknopt overzicht van de belangrijkste
ontwikkelingen, inclusief hoe we die dit jaar zien ontwikkelen.
Vandaag het tweede deel:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Deel
2 - Hoe de verdwaasde Uncle Sam naar de onvermijdelijke uitgang
strompelt</b></span></span></div>
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</span>
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</div>
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</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHOcqDQBpq4/XDyTjPbQKqI/AAAAAAAACRs/IINl_hwkgSkFCUMozIUFOu-3yPLAw9xhACLcBGAs/s1600/trump%2Bkissing%2Bnetanyahu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHOcqDQBpq4/XDyTjPbQKqI/AAAAAAAACRs/IINl_hwkgSkFCUMozIUFOu-3yPLAw9xhACLcBGAs/s640/trump%2Bkissing%2Bnetanyahu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Wa</span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">s</span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">hington
in verwarring</span></b></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
regering-Trump kenmerkte zich door aanhoudende interne problemen </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">die
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voortvloeien
uit de strijd tussen Amerikaanse </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">bestuurs</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">elites.
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voortdurend</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
komen en gaan van verantwoordelijken in de regering wijst op
vergevorderde sleet op het Amerikaans staatsbestel. Elites </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">leveren
geen slag </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">als
alles op rolletjes loopt, </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zij
doen dat als de regeringsmachine dreigt vast te lopen. Als een team
de controle over een situatie dreigt te verliezen is het ieder voor
zich, en God voor ons allen.</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerika
is <a href="https://www.globalresearch.ca/america-has-been-at-war-93-of-the-time-222-out-of-239-years-since-1776/5565946">vrijwel
onophoudelijk</a> in oorlog: sinds zijn stichting in 1776 maar liefst
214 van zijn 235 kalenderjaren. Het Amerikaanse leger blijkt er
steeds in te slagen grote hoeveelheden mensen te doden, veelal
burgers, maar te falen als het gaat om een politieke agenda door te
drukken. Washington doe</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">t</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ni</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">et
aan zelfreflectie, analyse</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">r</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">t</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">daden
niet, </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">leert</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
niet van </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
fouten. </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Checks
and Balances </span></span></i></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">falen</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nu
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Senaat en het Huis van Afgevaardigden de regering </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">onvoldoende</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
controleren. Enkel dankzij zijn gigantische kernwapenarsenaal kan de
VS nog de schijn van grootmacht hoog houden.</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
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</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>De
Amerikaanse handelsoorlog</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
Amerikaanse handelsoorlog met bondgenoten is </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">overwegend
symbolisch en vooral bedoeld voor binnenlandse consumptie. Maar het
handelsconflict met China is echt en wordt hard gespeeld. De VS ziet
in China een gevaarlijke rivaal. China kan Amerikaanse <a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/01/11/trumps-deja-vu-china-trade-war/">technologie</a>
niet enkel commercieel maar ook militair inzetten. Denk aan
artificiële intelligentie, 5G draadloos internet en cyberveiligheid,
zaken die een nieuwe industriële revolutie teweegbrengen, voor
economische groei in de komende decennia zorgen en bepalen welke
mogendheid de wereld gaat domineren.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL">China
</span><span lang="nl-NL">moet dus geen Amerikaanse </span><span lang="nl-NL">technologie
</span><span lang="nl-NL">in handen krijg</span><span lang="nl-NL">en.</span><span lang="nl-NL">
</span><span lang="nl-NL">C</span><span lang="nl-NL">hin</span><span lang="nl-NL">ese
</span><span lang="nl-NL">smartphones en computers </span><span lang="nl-NL">vormen
een bedreiging voor de Amerikaanse veiligheid omdat de VS daar niet
op kan </span><span lang="nl-NL">spioneren. </span><span lang="nl-NL">Om
elk land te kunnen dikteren hoe het zich moet gedragen</span><span lang="nl-NL">
</span><span lang="nl-NL">moet de VS</span><span lang="nl-NL">
</span><span lang="nl-NL">spyware </span><span lang="nl-NL">in
IT-</span><span lang="nl-NL">materiaal kunnen installeren. </span><span lang="nl-NL">Denk
aan het afluisteren van bondskanselier </span><span lang="nl-NL">Angela
Merkel </span><span lang="nl-NL">om te kunnen controleren of de
Duitsers wel deden wat de VS hen had </span><span lang="nl-NL">bevolen</span><span lang="nl-NL">.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.rt.com/shows/keiser-report/447982-corporate-debt-predictions-market/">Volgens</a>
d</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaans</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
econoom Michael Hudson </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">gaat
het </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">niet
meer om een h</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">andelsoorlog,
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
om </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">een
nieuwe Koude Oorlog. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
eisen hebben </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">meer
te maken met</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><i><span style="background: transparent;">monopoly
rent</span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><i><span style="background: transparent;">s</span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">vergoedingen
die men op grond van </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">octrooien
of auteursrechten </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">kan
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">opeisen,
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">dan
met </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">eigendomsrechten.
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">V</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">olgens
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">de
klassieke econoom</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Smith"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Adam
Smith</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">komt
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">de
eis </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">tot</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><i><span style="background: transparent;">monopoly
rents</span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">neer
op afpersing. Technologie moet </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">universeel
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">beschikbaar
zijn. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Wie
op basis van die technologie </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">onafhankelijk
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">een
product op de markt </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">zet
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">tegen
de laagste kostprijs is de meest efficiënte aanbieder ter wereld </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">en
heeft het met dat product voor het zeggen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vreemd
genoeg treffen de heffingen hoofdzakelijk </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Ameri</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">kaanse</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">firma’s
zoals Apple die </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hun
producten in C</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hina
</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">maken
en vervolgens</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
exporteren naar de Amerikaanse moederfirma. Het gevolg </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
een Amerikaanse heffing van 25% is </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
de moederfirma’s </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hun
Chinese vestigingen 25% duurder uit zijn. </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
VS schiet dus </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voor
een stuk </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
eigen voet. </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
lopende onderhandelingen zullen wel tot </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">overeenstemming</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
leiden</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Partijen
kunnen zich economisch een aanslepende handelsoorlog waarin ook de
rest van de wereld in de klappen deelt niet veroorloven.</span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>De
status van de VS als supermogendheid</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
de 20<sup>e</sup> eeuw kon de VS uitgroeien tot supermogendheid. Het
land ligt veilig tussen de oceanen, ver van het strijdgewoel in de
Eerste en Tweede Wereldoorlog. Terwijl de infrastructuur en economie
van zijn belangrijkste tegenstrevers werd vernietigd bleef de VS
intact zodat het land zijn gigantische industriële apparaat kon
inzetten om de wereldmarkt te bevoorraden met goederen die enkel de
VS produceerde. Ondanks die voorsprong vond de VS het nodig het ene
na het andere weerloze land aan te pakken en te onderwerpen aan de
eisen van Uncle Sam. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">M</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">et
de globalisering verdween ook het grootste deel van het Amerikaanse
industriële apparaat. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar
dankzij de Neocons bleef de VS verwikkeld in conflicten met de meeste
landen die er maar toe doen. De bizarre </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">kamikaze-onderwerping
van de VS aan Israel heeft er nu toe geleid dat de VS zijn invloed in
het olierijke Midden-Oosten <a href="http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/50858.htm">aan
het verliezen</a> is. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Door
te pogen Rusland en China </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">onder
het juk te krijgen </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
de Neocons erin geslaagd </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">opkomende
wereldmachten in elkaars armen te drijven. Zo isoleerde de VS zich
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">ook
van </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Chinese</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Belt
and Road Initiative</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
gericht op</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Euraziatische landen.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
vooruitzichten voor de VS zijn niet rooskleurig. Tenzij het land het
roer omgooit en afstapt van de heilloze russofobie is een militaire
confrontatie onvermijdelijk. De NAVO heeft Rusland maximaal
teruggedrongen. Reken erop dat Rusland stevig terugslaat als het
tegen alle afspraken in </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">in</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Syrië wordt aangevallen. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Bij
één </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">bijna-</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">incident
waren gevechtsklare Russiche </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">MiG-31K’</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">s,
uitgerust met </span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Kinzhal</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">raketten</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">al
opgestegen. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Hoe
meer van dit soort bijna-incidenten </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">niet
escaleren, hoe meer de Neocons zullen proberen een zwaarder incident
uit te lokken. Het credo blijft: ‘</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Assad
must go’</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vandaag
is Israel de laatste openlijk racistische staat ter wereld. De
Israelische leiders zijn boosaardig, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">immoreel
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">en</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">gestoord,
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">d</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aar
zijn de meeste waarnemers het wel over eens. Maar de Israeli’s zijn
ook </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">buitengewoon</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
roekeloos. Zij kunnen zich dat veroo</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">r</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">loven
omdat zij elke Amerikaanse politicus in hun zak hebben. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Wat
zij ook uithalen, de VS zal ze altijd hun wandaden toedekken, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">denk
aan de Israelische aanval op de <a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2012/06/de-israelische-aanval-op-de-uss-liberty.html">USS
Liberty</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
zo’n omgekeerde wereld </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
de VS niet echt een supermogendheid, zelfs niet soeverein. Van
buitenlandse inmenging gesproken.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
Latijns Amerika is de VS er steeds in geslaagd niet-volgzame
politieke leiders omver te werpen, maar niet om van deze landen
duurzaam welvarende staten te maken. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Verbazend
genoeg is </span><span style="font-size: small;">het
</span><span style="font-size: small;">de
VS niet </span><span style="font-size: small;">gelukt
om </span><span style="font-size: small;">Venezuela
aan zich te onderwerpen. </span><span style="font-size: small;">De
regering-Maduro, die had af te rekenen met </span><span style="font-size: small;">forse
</span><span style="font-size: small;">ondermijnende
activiteiten van de VS </span><span style="font-size: small;">en
ook eigen fouten, doet zijn uiterste best om van koers te veranderen
en Venezuela soeverein en onafhankelijk van Amerika te houden.
Amerika mag </span><span style="font-size: small;">dan
</span><span style="font-size: small;">veel
Latijns Amerikaanse leiders aan zich gebonden hebben, de grote
meerderheid van de bevolking moet niets hebben van de </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Yankees</i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
Azië biedt China elke Amerikaanse “kolonie” een alternatieve
toekomst, een optie die steeds interessanter wordt nu het Chinese
succesvolle </span></span><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtschaftswunder"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Wirtschaft</span></i></span></a><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtschaftswunder"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">s</span></i></span></a><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtschaftswunder"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">wunder</span></i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
exponentieel </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aan
macht wint. B</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">lijkbaar
verliest de gebruikelijke mix van arrogantie, overmoed en onkunde die
de </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelsaksisch_model">Angelsaksische</a>
landen </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">toelieten
Azië te overheersen </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">aan
macht, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
is</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Azië toe aan alternatieven. De VS heeft tegen de groeiende Chinese
invloed in Azië niets fundamenteels in te brengen, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">tenzij
militair</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">maar
dan met gigantische risico’s.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Per
saldo slaagt de VS er niet meer in duurzaam zijn wil op te leggen aan
landen </span><span style="font-size: small;">die
traditioneel te boek stonden als bondgenoten. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Nu
Duitsland blijkbaar het NordStream</span><span style="font-size: small;">2-</span><span style="font-size: small;">project
met Rusland ondanks alle Amerikaanse tegenwerking </span><span style="font-size: small;">en
<a href="https://www.ad.nl/buitenland/vs-dreigen-na-nederlandse-nu-ook-duitse-bedrijven-met-sancties-wegens-gasleiding~a5010c2d/">dreigementen</a>
</span><span style="font-size: small;">doorzet
zien we voor het eerst niet enkel hoe een EU-leider een Amerikaanse
president laten aanvoelen dat hij kan ophoepelen, maar ook dat de VS
</span><span style="font-size: small;">duidelijk
niet meer in staat is partnerlanden interessante projecten voor te
leggen. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Make
America Great Again</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">
mag dan een deel van het Amerikaanse electoraat aanspreken, het
heeft de rest van de wereld niets te bieden.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Naar
een nieuwe wereldorde?</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
een </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">recente
</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">voordracht
in Brussel <a href="https://www.rt.com/shows/crosstalk/446234-pompeo-multilateralism-american-law/">zette</a>
de Amerikaanse buitenlandminister Mike Pompeo uiteen hoe </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">regering
de nieuwe we</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">reldorde
ziet. In essentie: “</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">O</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nze
soevereiniteit herbevestigen </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
de liberale internationale orde hervormen. </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">O</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nze
vrienden </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">moeten
ons </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">helpen
</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ook
</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">hun
soevereiniteit </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">laten
</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">gelden.”
</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Voor
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">niet-bevriende
landen geldt</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">:
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">“</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Landen
moeten getrouw hun verplichtingen jegens hun burgers nakomen en
bekijken of de huidige internationale orde optimaal ten goede komt
aan de bevolking. Is dat niet het geval, dan moeten wij zien hoe we
dat kunnen rechtzetten”.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
VS zou dus </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">de
plicht</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
hebben in te grijpen in landen wier buitenlands en binnenlands beleid
hem niet aanstaat. De VS en zijn “vrienden” zijn dus soeverein,
landen die voor de VS buizen zijn niet soeverein. De arrogante
houding waarin de VS de grote geopolitieke baas is en tegelijk de rol
van rechter en strafuitvoerder speelt is niet nieuw. Bush Sr. <a href="https://www.infoplease.com/history-and-government/famous-presidential-speeches/george-h-w-bushs-state-union-address">zei</a>
in zijn State of the Union van 1991 al (vrij vertaald):</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">D</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">it
is aanleiding om d</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">uitgestippelde
</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nieuwe
wereldorde </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">te
realiseren</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
waar bruutheid </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">niet
loont </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
agressie </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">stuit
op </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">collectief
verzet. </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Een
wereldbeeld waarin </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
VS een groot aandeel in </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">leiderschap
</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">heeft</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Enkel
</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
V</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">S
heeft</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
de morele status </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">en
</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
middelen om </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dit
waar te maken</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
Wij </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">als
enige </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">natie
</span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ter
wereld kunnen deze </span></span></i></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">vredeskrachten
mobiliseren.</span></span></i></span></i></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Geen
woord over de veiligheid van de VS zelf of het welzijn en voorspoed
van </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
bevolking. Alles draait om Amerikaans leiderschap dat automatisch </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">zou
leiden</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
tot vrede, veiligheid, vrijheid en </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
rechtsstaat. Het jargon klinkt mooi, maar is hol. Denk maar hoe het
er in de NAVO aan toegaat. Er wordt democratisch overlegd, tot de VS
beslist. NAVO-bondgenoten hebben minder te vertellen dan de leden van
het <a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warschaupact">Warschaupact</a>
destijds. </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
verleden leert dat voor deze club het doel de middelen heiligt, denk
aan de honderdduizenden doden in </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
Balkan, het Midden-Oosten, Afghanistan, en de druk op Iran, Rusland
en China, alles </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">ondersteund
door ‘denktanks’ en </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">verkondigd
door medeplichtige media.</span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
aantreden van Trump gaf hoop op een doorbraak in het </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">door
de Neocons zo vurig aanbeden </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
interventionisme. Hij zou de banden met Rusland aanhalen en de
troepen uit de brandhaarden terugtrekken. Hij had kritiek op de NAVO.
</span></span></span></span></b><b><a href="https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/12/01/sayonara-america-first-we-hardly-knew-ye.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vergeet
het maar</span></span></span></a></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
De </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">wurggreep</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
van het establishment, </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">de
‘deep state’ lost niet</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
“</span></span></span></span></b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">America
Last Express” ratelt onverstoorbaar door, de </span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">catastrofe
tegemoet.</span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-81303643612892169362019-01-14T11:51:00.000+01:002019-01-14T18:55:42.216+01:00Van 2018 naar 2019: de belangrijkste geopolitieke trends (1)<br />
Bij de overgang van
2018 naar 2019 past een overzicht van de belangrijkste geopolitieke
trends in de wereld. In een reeks van vijf artikelen die we in kort
tijdsbestek onder deze headline publiceren geven we per issue een
beknopt overzicht van de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen, inclusief hoe
we die dit jaar zien ontwikkelen. Vandaag het eerste deel:<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Deel
1: De grootste brandhaarden</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iE4kJ7jqTgU/XDxjaZBD8gI/AAAAAAAACRg/mCkSwGgrLOoK3pZNU56k5rswRWesEqpDgCLcBGAs/s1600/bolton-trump%2Bcropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iE4kJ7jqTgU/XDxjaZBD8gI/AAAAAAAACRg/mCkSwGgrLOoK3pZNU56k5rswRWesEqpDgCLcBGAs/s640/bolton-trump%2Bcropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Koreaans
schiereiland</span></b></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
kwestie Noord-Korea is nog geen stap dichter bij een oplossing. Wie
herinnert zich niet </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">het
plan </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">van
de Amerikaanse president Trump </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">om
niet één, maar <a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/carrier-strike-groups-north-korea">drie
</a></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/carrier-strike-groups-north-korea">vliegdekschepen</a>
naar het Koreaanse schiereiland te sturen en zijn </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dreigement
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">om
het land totaal te vernietigen? </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Intussen
hebben de beide Korea’s intensieve bilaterale contacten ontwikkeld
en is er van het Amerikaanse wapengekletter niets overgebleven. </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
recente <a href="https://www.hln.be/nieuws/buitenland/-nieuwe-amerikaanse-sancties-bedreigen-ontwapeningsproces-waarschuwt-noord-korea~a48d7855/">nieuwe
</a></span></span></span></b><b><a href="https://www.hln.be/nieuws/buitenland/-nieuwe-amerikaanse-sancties-bedreigen-ontwapeningsproces-waarschuwt-noord-korea~a48d7855/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Amerikaanse
</span></span></span></a></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.hln.be/nieuws/buitenland/-nieuwe-amerikaanse-sancties-bedreigen-ontwapeningsproces-waarschuwt-noord-korea~a48d7855/">sancties</a>
tegen drie hoge Noord-Koreaanse functionarissen </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">lijken
een volgende stap naar </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">nucleaire
ontwapening </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">serieus
in de weg te staan.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
laatste <a href="https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190113001151315">nieuws</a>
is dat Trump een tweede top heeft voorgesteld voor half februari in
Vietnam. </span><span style="background: transparent;">Pyongyang </span><span style="background: transparent;">en</span><span style="background: transparent;">
Washington </span><span style="background: transparent;">zitten in een
impasse over de denuclearisatie van het Koreaans schiereiland.
Noord-Korea wil sanctieverlichting, de VS wil eerst de volledige
opdoeking van het kernwapenprogramma. In zijn nieuwjaarstoespraak
waarschuwde de Noord-Koreaanse leider Kim </span><span style="background: transparent;">Jong-un
dat hij </span><span style="background: transparent;">zijn eigen weg zou gaan
als de VS druk blijft uitoefenen, maar hield wel de deur open voor
een nieuw gesprek met Trump.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">T</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">enslotte
het <a href="https://www.nknews.org/2019/01/rok-to-spend-over-84-billion-on-new-military-capabilities-over-five-years-mnd/">bericht</a>
dat Zuid-Korea de komende 5 jaar voor $84 miljard aan nieuwe wapens
zal kopen. Die moeten inzetbaar zijn tegen kern- en
massavernietigingswapen “uit elke richting”. </span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
lijdt geen twijfel</span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">dat
de aankopen in Amerika zullen worden gedaan. En dat is goed nieuws.
Nu Zuid-Korea zijn defensiecapaciteit opvoert krijgt </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Kim
</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Jong-un
een nieuwe troef in handen in zijn dialoog met Trump: “nu onze
zuiderburen hun defensie op peil </span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">brengen</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
kunt u de Amerikaanse troepen terugtrekken”.</span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Syrië</span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
april voerden de VS, Frankrijk en het VK luchtaanvallen uit als als
antwoord op een beweerd maar geenszins bewezen gebruik van chemische
wapens. Voor Trump mag het dan “missie volbracht” zijn geweest,
het Kremlin <a href="https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wereld/vs-perfecte-aanval-rusland-veel-raketten-neergehaald-door-syrisch-leger/article-normal-1080777.html">liet</a>
nuchter weten dat </span><span style="background: transparent;">71 van
de 103 kruisraketten </span><span style="background: transparent;">werden
</span><span style="background: transparent;">neergehaald. </span><span style="background: transparent;">Een
mislukte militaire operatie die op geen enkele manier werd opgevolgd</span><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span><span style="background: transparent;">Een missie ook in strijd
met het internationale recht: Syrië vormt geen enkele bedreiging, de
aanvallers opereerden zonder mandaat van de VN-veiligheidsraad.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
september verdween </span><span style="background: transparent;">een
Russisch</span><span style="background: transparent;">e </span><span style="background: transparent;">Iljoesjin-20
</span><span style="background: transparent;">boven Syrië </span><span style="background: transparent;">van
de radar </span><span style="background: transparent;">op een moment
waarop </span><span style="background: transparent;">Israëlische
F-16's </span><span style="background: transparent;">in de
onmiddellijke omgeving</span><span style="background: transparent;">
bombardementen uit</span><span style="background: transparent;">voerden.
</span><span style="background: transparent;">De Iljoesjin bleek te
zijn neergehaald door Syrisch luchtafweer</span><span style="background: transparent;">geschut
bedoeld</span><span style="background: transparent;"> voor de
Israelische F-16s, die kennelijk </span><span style="background: transparent;">zich
</span><span style="background: transparent;">bewust </span><span style="background: transparent;">had</span><span style="background: transparent;">
<a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2018/09/18/russisch-vliegtuig-is-per-ongeluk-neergehaald-door-de-syrische/">verscholen</a>
achter de Iljoeshin. Het incident leidde tot een serieuze crisis.
Toen de Israeli’s geen schuld bekenden hakte</span><span style="background: transparent;">n</span><span style="background: transparent;">
de Russen de knoop door: Syrië werd in sneltreinvaart uitgerust met
geavanceerde luchtverdedigingssystemen. De Israeli’s dreigden elk</span><span style="background: transparent;">e</span><span style="background: transparent;">
S-300 batterij te vernietigen, maar konden enkel toezien hoe de
Russen </span><span style="background: transparent;">de </span><span style="background: transparent;">waterdichte
</span><span style="background: transparent;">Syrische
</span><span style="background: transparent;">luchtverdediging
operationeel maakten.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">En
in december koos Trump temidden de strijd tussen zijn adviseurs voor
de vlucht vooruit en gaf opd</span><span style="background: transparent;">ra</span><span style="background: transparent;">cht
voor de volledige terugtrekking van de Amerikaanse troepen uit Syrië.
Wat hiervan uiteindelijk terecht komt valt af te wachten, </span><span style="background: transparent;">zeker
nadat veiligheidsadviseur John </span><span style="background: transparent;">Bolton
</span><span style="background: transparent;">begin januari 2019 de
Turken een <a href="https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201901101071353062-turkey-syria-us-troops/?">diktaat</a>
overhandigde voor een “weloverwogen, ordelijke en opportune”
terugtrekking. Hoe het ook zij, het is interessant vast te stellen
dat wij geen Westerse leiders meer horen die in koor “</span><i><span style="background: transparent;">Assad
must go</span></i><span style="background: transparent;">” roepen en
zelfs het machtige Amerika blijkbaar de verzwakte Syrische regering
niet naar zijn hand kan zetten.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Oekraïne</span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Een
</span><span style="background: transparent;">aanval van de <a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/real-ukraine/247281/">Nazi-junta</a>
in Kiev op de Donbass bleef uit. </span><span style="background: transparent;">Blijkbaar
heeft de waarschuwing van de Russische president Poetin dat zo’n
aanval “ernstige gevolgen zou hebben op het voortbestaan van
Oekraïne als staat” bij de machthebbers in Kiev indruk gemaakt.
Maar als we de </span><span style="background: transparent;">woordvoerster
</span><span style="background: transparent;">van het Russische
ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken mogen geloven <a href="https://www.rt.com/news/445617-ukraine-offensive-martial-law/">plant</a>
Oekraïne </span><span style="background: transparent;">een nieuwe
provocatie in Donbass. “</span><span style="background: transparent;">Wij
houden rekening met een geënsceneerde chemische aanval om de
vijandelijkheden aan te wakkeren en hebben </span><span style="background: transparent;">internationale
waarnemers opgeroepen”, </span><span style="background: transparent;">aldus
Maria Zakharova.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Intussen
k</span><span style="background: transparent;">onden </span><span style="background: transparent;">de
rechts-extremistische </span><span style="background: transparent;">neo-nazi
milities, die ijskoud de symbolen en ideologie voeren uit de dertiger
en veertiger jaren uit de vorige eeuw, ongehinderd hun gang gaan.
Voor de talloze mensenrechtenschendingen op de bevolking in de
Donbass en West-Oekraïne hebben de Westerse media hoegenaamd geen
belangstelling. Het Westen noch Israel bekreunden zich over het
bericht in de Israelische krant <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/rights-groups-demand-israel-stop-arming-neo-nazis-in-the-ukraine-1.6248727" target="_blank">Haaretz</a>
dat wapens die Israel had geleverd aan Oekraïne bij ultrarechtse
milities zoals het Azov-bataljon terecht waren gekomen.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>ran</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;">Trump
zegde de Iran-deal op en legde nieuwe sancties op. Iran’s
auto-industrie moest het ontgelden, net als de handel in goud en
andere edele metalen. Iran’s energiesector, scheepvaart,
verzekeringssector en centrale bank volgden. Nieuw waren de
dreigementen om bondgenoten en niet-bondgenoten sancties op te leggen
mochten die zaken met Iran willen doen. De meeste Westerse
investeerders trokken zich uit Iran terug. De bedoeling is duidelijk:
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">re</span></i><i>gime change</i>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;">Deze
maatregelen hebben ook geleid tot verslechterde relaties met de
Amerikaanse bondgenoten in Europa. De grote daarvan waren
medeondertekenaars van de Iran-deal, en hadden grote, deels reeds in
uitvoering zijnde investeringsplannen voor Iran. Europese
multinationals krijgen geen dispensatie. De VS dreigt hen af te
snijden van het Amerikaanse financieel systeem als ze toch zaken doen
met Iran.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: transparent;">Het
is vooral de <i>Israel Lobby</i> die aanstuurt op een Amerikaanse
militaire interventie in Iran. Na Irak, Syrië en Libië zou een
conflict met Iran het laatste item zijn in de Neocon agenda. De druk
op de ketel wordt steeds verder opgevoerd. Australië staat klaar om
toe te treden tot een <i>Coalition of the Willing</i>.
Veiligheidsadviseur John Bolton heeft allerlei plannen om sociale
onrust uit te lokken naar het model van Maidan/Kiev in Oekraïne. En
recent werd bekend dat Bolton opties voor een aanval op Iran had
laten onderzoeken naar aanleiding van een incident met
mortiergranaten in de buurt van de Amerikaanse ambassade in Bagdad.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Een
oorlog met Iran wordt een ander conflict dan dat met Irak, Syrië of
Libië. Iran zal keihard terugslaan, overal waar het de VS maar kan
raken. De Iraanse president Rohani zei daarover: “Vrede met Iran is
de moeder van alle vredes. Oorlog met Iran de moeder van alle
oorlogen”.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">... </span></span></span></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-43700119743548354312019-01-04T09:33:00.000+01:002019-01-04T09:35:13.993+01:00Trump says there is no set date for Syria troop withdrawal<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DnJcNeHpnVM/XC8Y-Nt-ykI/AAAAAAAACQ8/914qzJs41p4sexa775_r3inaWl-v_tRFgCLcBGAs/s1600/US%2BMarines%2Bin%2BSyria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1600" height="337" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DnJcNeHpnVM/XC8Y-Nt-ykI/AAAAAAAACQ8/914qzJs41p4sexa775_r3inaWl-v_tRFgCLcBGAs/s640/US%2BMarines%2Bin%2BSyria.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>U.S. Marines with
SPMAGTF-CR-CC practice company size reinforcement, live fire ranges
in Syria (photo: U.S. Central Command)</i></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
Bill Van Auken </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
a meandering and at times incoherent White House cabinet meeting held
in front of the media, US President Donald Trump defended his
surprise December 19 announcement of his decision to withdraw all US
troops from Syria, while indicating that there is no set timetable
for doing so.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Initially
there were reports from within the administration that US
forces—officially numbered at 2,000 but possibly consisting of as
many as twice that number—would be brought out of Syria within 30
days. Subsequently, the time frame was put at 60 to 100 days. Since
the beginning of the new year, it has been reported that the deadline
has been extended to 120 days.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
withdrawal decision provoked the resignation of Defense Secretary
General James Mattis, who penned a letter implicitly criticizing
Trump for abandoning allies and failing to confront Russia, as well
as that of Brett McGurk, the US envoy to the so-called war on the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The announcement likewise
provoked a storm of criticism from both Democratic and Republican
members of Congress.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At
Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, Trump answered a reporter’s question
on the timetable for the Syria withdrawal by denying that he had
signed off on a three-month period or that he had ever used the words
“fast or slow.” Instead, he merely reiterated, “I’m getting
out—we’re getting out of Syria.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">CNN
reported that the 120-day framework had been presented by the US
military command, which claimed that it would be impossible to
organize a safe and orderly pullout any sooner. Part of the problem
is the huge amounts of weaponry and ammunition that the US military
has sent into Syria, which cannot be removed as quickly as the troops
themselves and which the Pentagon refuses to leave behind.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pressed
on how soon US troops would pull out of Syria, Trump responded: “Over
a period of time. I never said I’m getting out tomorrow. I said
we’re pulling our soldiers out, and they will be pulled back in
Syria, and we’re getting out of Syria. Yeah. Absolutely. But we’re
getting out very powerfully.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
justified his decision by citing his election campaign pledge to
bring US troops home from “endless wars” as part of his “America
First” agenda.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At
the same time, he stated in virtually the same breath that it was
time to withdraw from Syria because the US had “decimated ISIS”
and that “Syria was lost long ago.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
attributed this loss to the failure of the Obama administration—under
which the CIA-backed war for regime change was launched in 2011—to
carry through on its threat to initiate a direct US military
onslaught against Syria over alleged chemical weapons attacks in
2013.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“So
Syria was lost long ago,” Trump said. “It was lost long ago. And
besides that, we’re talking about sand and death. That’s what
we’re talking about. We’re not talking about, you know, vast
wealth. We’re talking about sand and death.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
US president’s crude and rambling remarks provide at least a
glimpse into the real thinking within the US ruling class. The
unending wars in the Middle East and Central Asia have not been about
“weapons of mass destruction,” a “war on terror” or “human
rights,” but rather about “vast wealth” in terms of energy
reserves.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Syria’s
oil and natural gas resources are insignificant compared to other
countries in the region. The war that Washington and its allies
provoked, killing hundreds of thousands and turning millions into
refugees, was about denying Russia a foothold in the region and
rolling back the regional influence of Iran.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trump
suggested that the withdrawal of US troops would serve to undermine
Moscow and Tehran, which would be forced to confront the remnants of
ISIS in Syria. “But you know where else they’re going?” Trump
said in relation to ISIS. “To Iran, who hates ISIS more than we do.
They’re going to Russia, who hates ISIS more than we do.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Again,
through the bravado and incoherence, a glimmer of truth. The Islamist
militias in Syria, ISIS included, were armed and financed by the US
and its allies for the purpose of toppling the Assad government.
These same forces can and will be turned against US imperialism’s
rivals and regional opponents, including Russia, China and Iran.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trump
turned to Iran in his rambling monologue, declaring, “Iran is a
much different country than it was when I became President…. I had
a meeting at the Pentagon with lots of generals. They were like from
a movie. Better looking than Tom Cruise, and stronger. And I had more
generals than I’ve ever seen, and we were at the bottom of this
incredible room. And I said, ‘This is the greatest room I’ve ever
seen.’”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
room apparently included a “big board” showing a map of the
Middle East with Iran advancing on all fronts.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
saw more computer boards than I think that they make today,” Trump
said. “And every part of the Middle East, and other places that was
under attack, was under attack because of Iran. And I said to myself,
‘Wow.’ I mean, you look at Yemen, you look at Syria, you look at
every place. Saudi Arabia was under siege.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
emerged from Trump’s longwinded and disjointed presentation is that
the Syria troop withdrawal, if it is executed, represents merely a
tactical shift in what will be a continuation of the decades-long
military campaign to assert US hegemony over the Middle East.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“We
are continuing the fight,” Trump said at one point, adding that
“there was a lot of misinterpretation.” He said that the US was
doing “very exciting” things in the Middle East that he did not
want to talk about. “A lot of great people understood it. Lindsey
Graham understood it.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Republican Senator Graham, an influential figure on national security
issues, had condemned the withdrawal decision as “a huge Obama-like
mistake.” After meeting with Trump on December 30, Graham said that
Trump had told him “some things that I didn’t know that make me
feel a lot better about where we’re headed in Syria.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile,
a senior congressional Democrat attacked Trump from the right for
allegedly abandoning a military challenge to Russian and Iranian
forces in Syria. Steny Hoyer, the new House Majority Leader,
responded to Trump’s remarks by describing the withdrawal decision
as “dangerous and reckless” and charging that it “creates a
vacuum for Iran, Russia, and other adversaries to exploit.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
essential component of the Democrats’ opposition to Trump is over
imperialist strategy and tactics. Speaking for layers of the military
and intelligence apparatus, they oppose any lessening of the
confrontation with nuclear-armed Russia, particularly in the Middle
East.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trump
and his supporters within the ruling establishment see domination of
the Asia Pacific region as the key priority. General Mattis’
replacement as acting defense secretary, the 30-year Boeing aircraft
executive Patrick Shanahan, during his first meeting with civilian
leaders at the Pentagon told them to focus on “China, China,
China.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile,
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Al Jazeera</i>
reported Thursday that the US military has sharply escalated its
bombing campaign against alleged ISIS targets in eastern Syria,
including villages packed with civilians who have fled other areas
that came under siege.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“The
civilians in these areas have no place to go or hide from the US
bombardment of their villages,” a civilian activist told <i>Al
Jazeera.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
bombing campaign, dubbed Operation Roundup, has struck numerous
civilian targets, including the Yarmouk Hospital, the last public
health facility treating civilians in the region. Striking such a
facility is a war crime.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According
to the report, the bombing campaign is also targeting internet cafes
used by civilians, on the grounds that ISIS fighters also frequent
them.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“They
[the US] backstabbed all their allies and they’re killing the
people here, and eventually the Islamic State will survive and
spread, or it will fall,” an ISIS fighter interviewed for the
report said. “But there will be people here who will remember what
happened here, and they will carry on this information and it will
spread throughout the Middle East.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>This
article first appeared on </i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/01/04/syri-j04.html"><span style="color: #de7008;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>World
Socialist Web Site (WSWS)</i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>on
</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>4
January</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>201</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>9</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>,
and was republished with permission.</i></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-7700793972839311622018-11-04T22:34:00.000+01:002018-11-04T22:34:43.745+01:00Kanttekeningen bij de toestand in de wereld volgens David Criekemans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDLxAYjpb5A/W99g-RWB9MI/AAAAAAAACQM/EIVxs5vq7uQVHky3LcEXkxmzZYiLPV7IwCLcBGAs/s1600/Relatives%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPalestinian%2BJabir%2BAbu%2BMustafa%252C%2B40%252C%2Bwho%2Bwas%2Bkilled%2Bat%2Bthe%2BIsrael%25E2%2580%2593Gaza%2Bborder%2Bduring%2Bprotests%252C%2Bmourn%2Bduring%2Bhis%2Bfuneral%2Bin%2BKhan%2BYunis%2Bon%2BMay%2B12%252C%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1200" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDLxAYjpb5A/W99g-RWB9MI/AAAAAAAACQM/EIVxs5vq7uQVHky3LcEXkxmzZYiLPV7IwCLcBGAs/s640/Relatives%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPalestinian%2BJabir%2BAbu%2BMustafa%252C%2B40%252C%2Bwho%2Bwas%2Bkilled%2Bat%2Bthe%2BIsrael%25E2%2580%2593Gaza%2Bborder%2Bduring%2Bprotests%252C%2Bmourn%2Bduring%2Bhis%2Bfuneral%2Bin%2BKhan%2BYunis%2Bon%2BMay%2B12%252C%2B2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Relatives of the Palestinian Jabir Abu Mustafa, 40, who was killed at the Israel–Gaza border during protests, mourn during his funeral in Khan Yunis on May 12, 2018.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters </i></span></div>
<br />
De nood aan een Europees buitenlands beleid en defensie. De oorlog in Syrië. Het optreden van Rusland in het Midden-Oosten. Turkije dat de banden aanhaalt met Rusland en China. De rivaliteit tussen het olierijke Saoedi-Arabië en aardgaslanden Iran en Qatar. Het mondialiserende terrorisme. De verslechterende relatie tussen Rusland en het belang van een Europese Ostpolitik. De race tussen China en de VS. Van een VS ‘leading from behind’ naar Amerikaans isolationisme. Vlaams en Belgisch buitenlands beleid, een nieuwe kans voor de Benelux en toekomstscenario’s voor Europa.<br />
<br />
Dat zijn de kernthema’s die aan de orde komen in het boek ‘Geopolitieke kanttekeningen 2011-2018, en daarna. Een wereld in volle geopolitieke transitie’ van David Criekemans (Universiteit Antwerpen). Onder de titel “Dreigt Europa een geopolitiek schiereiland te worden?” publiceerde de auteur een <a href="https://spectator.clingendael.org/nl/publicatie/dreigt-europa-een-geopolitiek-schiereiland-te-worden">voorbeschouwing</a> in Clingendael Spectator. In zijn boek herpubliceert hij per thema zijn opiniestukken uit de jaren 2011-2018, telkens voorafgegaan door een inleiding en afgesloten door een conclusie met blik op de toekomst.<br />
<br />
Zij die de kwaliteitsmedia volgen kennen de auteur als iemand die zijn kijk op het wereldgebeuren helder en goed onderbouwd naar voren brengt. Diezelfde kwaliteit vindt men terug in zijn boek. Interessant zijn de kanttekeningen bij het opkomend populisme en de onderontwikkelde sociale dimensie van de Europese integratie. De NAVO krijgt een veeg uit de pan met “grabbelton voor ad-hoc coalitions of the willing” en de VS met “de Amerikaanse hegemoon trapt wild om zich heen”.<br />
<br />
Het onderwerp ‘Hoe de relatie tussen Rusland en Europa heropstarten’ (p. 176 e.v.) verdient bijzondere aandacht. President Trump mag dan voorstander zijn van een <i>reset</i> van de relaties met Rusland, hij krijgt daar van het Congres geen ruimte voor. Europa kan hier het voortouw nemen. Partijen moet niet met getrokken messen tegenover elkaar staan, aldus de auteur. Criekemans waarschuwt voor blijvende verschillen, maar vooral op essentiële issues waar de belangen parallel lopen, met name energie-, economische en ecologische veiligheid. Vertrouwenwekkende maatregelen en culturele diplomatie kunnen partijen op één lijn krijgen, aldus de auteur.<br />
<br />
De opmerkingen van Criekemans over onze geïnternationaliseerde samenleving dicht bij huis zijn raak. Gemeenschappen moeten elkaar ontmoeten. Isoleren leidt tot radicalisering. Anders dan het geitenwollensokkengehalte dat de auteur vreest bij deze uitspraken is zijn pleidooi reëel. Waar sommigen het karikatuur hanteren dat de grenzen wagenwijd openstaan is de werkelijkheid dat ook hier regels gelden voor migratie en asiel. Wie aan die regels voldoet moet de kans krijgen om via onderwijs, werk, huisvesting en inburgering vlot te integreren.<br />
<br />
Op sommige punten zijn ook kanttekeningen te maken. De periode die het boek bespreekt begint halverwege Obama-1. Al vroeg in zijn presidentschap was Obama’s <a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2010/08/enquete-63-arabische-bevolking.html">boodschap</a> in zijn Cairo-toespraak: “De Palestijnse bevolking moet dagelijks vernederingen ondergaan. Hun situatie is ontoelaatbaar”. In Arabische landen groeit de woede over het onrecht dat hun Palestijnse broeders en zusters moeten ondergaan. Die houding treft men ook aan bij de moslimbevolking elders in de wereld. Dat dit gegeven een effect heeft op het jihadisme hoeft geen betoog. Criekemans verzuimt dit <a href="https://geopolitiek-in-perspectief.blogspot.com/2016/07/het-israel-palestina-conflict.html">vraagstuk</a> in zijn paragrafen over het Midden-Oosten te vermelden.<br />
<br />
In §I.14 stelt Criekemans de verwijdering tussen de VS en Europa aan de orde en suggereert een Europese defensie. Wat hij verzuimt te vermelden is dat Europa zich in het Verdrag van Lissabon heeft vastgeklonken aan de NAVO en daarmee aan de VS. De Unie is juridisch helemaal niet in staat een eigen defensie te ontwikkelen. De essentiële <a href="http://www.europese-grondwet.nl/tekst/DEEL_I/TITEL_V/HOOFDSTUK_II/42.html">paragrafen</a> luiden:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><br /></i>
<i>“Het gemeenschappelijk veiligheids- en defensiebeleid is een integrerend deel van het gemeenschappelijk buitenlands en veiligheidsbeleid...”</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“Het beleid van de Unie … laat het specifieke karakter van het veiligheids- en defensiebeleid van bepaalde lidstaten onverlet, eerbiedigt de uit het Noord-Atlantisch Verdrag voortvloeiende verplichtingen van bepaalde lidstaten die van oordeel zijn dat hun gemeenschappelijke defensie gestalte krijgt in de Noord-Atlantische Verdragsorganisatie, en is verenigbaar met het in dat kader vastgestelde gemeenschappelijk veiligheids- en defensiebeleid”.</i></blockquote>
<br />
In een opgemerkt <a href="https://www.rt.com/op-ed/435327-iran-eu-sanctions-response/">opiniestuk</a> zegt de Britse historicus John Laughland zelfs dat Europa helemaal niet in staat is zich te verweren tegen Amerikaanse sancties tegen Iran en als Unie internationaal voor gek staat. Hoe wil de EU dan een uniforme eigen buitenlandse politiek voeren? Om dat mogelijk te maken moet het verdrag van Lissabon op de schop. Gegeven de opstelling van sommige Oost-Europese EU-leden is elke heronderhandeling gedoemd te mislukken. Voor Laughland is de Europese integratie een door de VS gesteund project tegen de Koude Oorlog, ideologisch en institutioneel onlosmakelijk verbonden met de NAVO.<br />
<br />
Wie pleit voor een Europees leger moet net als <a href="https://www.vrede.be/nieuws/het-voortbestaan-van-de-navo-een-aberratie-de-internationale-politiek-interview-met-prof-tom">Tom Sauer</a> het voortbestaan van de NAVO na de val van de muur en de ontmanteling van het Warschaupact aan de orde stellen. En wie het Belgisch buitenlands beleid aan de orde stelt moet vragen stellen over de kernwapens in Kleine Brogel, de Belgische weigering om het VN-kernwapenverbod te tekenen, en de Belgische beslissing om als lid van een verdedigingsorganisatie een aanvalswapen als de F-35 aan te schaffen, dat dan ook nog eens kernbommen kan afgooien.<br />
<br />
En wie spreekt over een EU met een eigen buitenlands beleid en leger spreekt over een kern-Europa van slechts enkele leden. Op grond van een <a href="https://www.vorwaerts.de/artikel/nato-manoever-trident-juncture-zwingend-noetig">recent artikel</a> in het centrale orgaan van de Duitse SPD over de lopende grootscheepse NAVO-oefening “Trident Juncture” is de conclusie gerechtvaardigd dat Duitsland nog niet klaar is voor een Europees “gemeenschappelijk veiligheids- en defensiebeleid”.<br />
<br />
‘Geopolitieke kanttekeningen 2011-2018, en daarna. Een wereld in volle geopolitieke transitie’ is een lezenswaardig boek voor hen die behoefte hebben aan duiding over de huidige uiterst verwarrende internationale politiek zoals die via de media op ons afkomt. De lezer beseffe zich wel dat het boek geen volledig beeld geeft van de toestand in de wereld van vandaag en hij/zij dus best zelf ook nog elders verduidelijking zoekt.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Geopolitieke kanttekeningen 2011-2018, en daarna. Een wereld in volle geopolitieke transitie, door David Criekemans, uitgegeven bij de Gompel&Svacina, 305 blzn. ISBN: 978-94-6371-076-3.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">David Criekemans doceert buitenlands beleid aan de Universiteit Antwerpen, internationale politiek en veiligheid aan het University College Roosevelt in Middelburg (Nederland) en geopolitiek aan het Geneva Institute of Geopolitical Studies.</span></i><br />
<br />Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-53364272426548949152018-09-26T12:19:00.000+02:002018-09-26T12:19:58.084+02:00US-China trade war intensifies
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6twoaKYF-SY/W6tcaQGrZaI/AAAAAAAACPs/0vX5LHdeIbwXYlUiT5neoPGaf3DmoxZOwCLcBGAs/s1600/China_USA_trade.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6twoaKYF-SY/W6tcaQGrZaI/AAAAAAAACPs/0vX5LHdeIbwXYlUiT5neoPGaf3DmoxZOwCLcBGAs/s640/China_USA_trade.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="firstHeading"></a>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo: “</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>China
and the World Trade Organization” – </i></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_and_the_World_Trade_Organization"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Wikipedia</i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">b</span><span style="font-size: small;">y
Nick Beams</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">China
has ruled out any further trade talks with the United States as long
as the Trump administration continues to threaten and impose further
tariffs on its exports.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
latest round of measures—the imposition of a 10 percent tariff on
$200 billion worth of goods, set to escalate to 25 percent next
year—came into effect on Monday. Just an hour after the new tariffs
were enacted the official Xinhua newsagency published a white paper
setting out Beijing’s position.</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: small;">The
door for trade talks is always open,” it stated, “but
negotiations must be held in an environment of mutual respect” and
could not be carried out under the threat of tariffs.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
addition to the escalation of the latest tariffs to a rate of 25
percent, Trump has also issued a threat to strike levies on an
additional $267 billion worth of Chinese goods, meaning that, if
implemented, all of China’s exports would carry some form of
tariff.</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tensions
have been further heightened by the imposition of sanctions by the
State Department on a Chinese military agency for its purchases of
equipment from Russia in defiance of a unilateral ban imposed by the
US over Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential
election.</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Speaking
to Fox News last Sunday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made clear
that the US intends to escalate its actions, saying that Trump was
not starting a trade war but engaging in one that was already
underway. The Trump administration considers that since China joined
the World Trade Organisation in 2001 it has benefited to the
detriment of the US.</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: small;">The
trade war by China against the United States has been going on for
years,” Pompeo said. “To the extent one wants to call this a
trade war, we are determined to win it.”</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">US
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is on record as saying that
the US decision to support China’s accession to the world trade
body was a mistake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
escalation of the conflict and the growing recognition that it is not
a temporary spat, able to be solved through negotiation, has led to
expressions of concern in sections of the financial media.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In
a comment piece, </span><em><span style="font-size: small;">Financial
Times</span></em><span style="font-size: small;"> columnist
Rana Foroohar wrote that while it would be easy to see the latest
round of tariffs as just another provocative shot fired off by a
president in need of overseas distractions, that would be wrong.</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: small;">In
fact, far from being an ill-advised and hasty policy decision
emanating solely from Donald Trump’s White House, this latest
tariff round represents something much more dangerous and lasting: a
true reset of economic and political relations between the US and
China, and the beginning of something that looks more like a cold war
than a trade war.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Foroohar
went on to point out that the “reset” is supported by sections of
the political establishment extending well beyond Trump, including
the Pentagon and what she called the “labour faction of the
progressive left”—that is, the trade unions. To this list could
be added the Democrats who are just as bellicose towards China as
Trump, if not more so.</span></div>
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“<span style="font-size: small;">They
have different agendas, but coalesce around the idea that the US and
China are in a long-term strategic rivalry, and that, as a result, US
trade policy and national security policy should no longer be
separated,” she wrote.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
connection has already been made clear in the latest National Defense
Strategy issued by the Pentagon in January which labelled China a
“strategic competitor” of the US using “predatory economics”
to advance its regional and global position.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Viewed
in this context, to label the conflict with China as simply the start
of a “cold war”—drawing a parallel with relations between the
US and the former Soviet Union—is misleading. The US never regarded
the USSR as an economic threat that could undermine American
hegemony. But that is a central concern of the anti-China hawks in
the administration and their supporters in the wider political
establishment.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">They
fear that the tides of economic development, which has seen the rapid
expansion of China, especially since its entry into the WTO, are
moving against the US, threatening its economic and ultimately
military dominance. This must be prevented by all means necessary.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">China’s
entry into the WTO was promoted by the Clinton administration and
carried through in 2001. The view at that time was that the low-cost
manufacture and assembly of consumer goods by China, which had proved
very beneficial to the US during the 1990s, would continue, and that
China would remain at the bottom of global value chains.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">However,
capitalist economy has its own inherent objective logic and China has
not remained in that position. It continues to supply cheaper
consumer products, but the past decade and a half has seen it move
rapidly up the value chain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">China
overtook Germany as the world’s top exporter of goods in 2009 and
its share of global manufacturing exports has expanded from 12 to 18
percent over the past decade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Xu
Bin, a professor at the China Europe International Business School
told the </span><em><span style="font-size: small;">Financial
Times</span></em><span style="font-size: small;">: “Chinese
companies are abandoning low-end goods to move to middle-range goods,
it’s actually a very fast change.”</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
newspaper reported: “China is now the dominant producer in medium
high-tech industries, with its global share nearly tripling in the
past decade to 32 percent, according to the US National Science
Board, surpassing the US in the late 2000s, and the EU this decade.”</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Telecommunications,
transport equipment and auto parts have grown as a proportion of
China’s exports to the US, while the share of textiles and footwear
has contracted. According to the World Bank, China’s share of the
global capital goods market rose from 5 percent to 20 percent between
2007 and 2016.</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
trade war launched by the US is driven by a determination to halt the
next stage of China’s economic expansion as it moves to expand its
industrial and technological base under the “Made in China 2025”
plan.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
official position of the White House was set out by White House
deputy press secretary Lindsay Walters in a statement last Saturday
as the latest trade measures were due to go into effect. “We remain
open to continuing discussions with China, but China must
meaningfully engage on unfair trading practices,” she said.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Such
“meaningful” engagement goes far beyond any action by China to
reduce its trade deficit with the US. China has already advanced
proposals to increase its exports from the US but they have been
rejected as inadequate.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
central demand of the US administration is that China ceases its
alleged theft and acquisition of intellectual property—a practice
no doubt engaged in by China as it has been by other capitalist
powers, including the US—and ends state subsidies to key
industries, via the promotion of “national champions” and other
so-called “market-distorting” policies: in other words, that
Beijing essentially scraps its central economic strategy.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">At
this point, China still lags behind the US and other major powers in
the next stage of technological development. However, on the basis of
the vast changes over the past decade and a half, the fear is that
this situation could rapidly change and pose a direct threat to US
economic dominance.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
is the essential driving force of the US trade war which it intends
to prosecute by all means at its disposal, both economic and, if
necessary, military.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: liberation, serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>This
article first appeared on </i></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/09/26/trad-s26.html"><span style="color: #de7008;"><span style="font-family: liberation, serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>World
Socialist Web Site (WSWS)</i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: liberation, serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>on
</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: liberation, serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>26
September</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: liberation, serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>2018,
and was republished with permission.</i></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-3623279090536077942018-07-30T10:03:00.000+02:002018-07-30T10:07:48.079+02:00US preparing for regime change and war against Iran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OAIT5f5cNQ/W17G_WN-MqI/AAAAAAAACOo/jXhiSUqU2TMPRxhslGkZxlkSWmyds966gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Iran3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="1194" height="264" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OAIT5f5cNQ/W17G_WN-MqI/AAAAAAAACOo/jXhiSUqU2TMPRxhslGkZxlkSWmyds966gCEwYBhgL/s640/Iran3a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By Peter Symonds</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just days after
President Donald Trump publicly threatened Iran with “consequences
the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered,” his
National Security Adviser John Bolton held a top-level meeting to
discuss US plans to confront Iran.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Notorious for his
own belligerent threats against Iran, Bolton chairs the Principals
Committee on national security matters, whose members include Defence
Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Officials
told the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> it was only the third such
meeting Bolton had convened since his installation as national
security adviser in April.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In May, the Trump
administration effectively sabotaged the 2015 deal with Iran, under
which Tehran severely restricted its nuclear programs and placed its
nuclear facilities under intense international scrutiny in exchange
for the winding back of crippling economic sanctions.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
US sanctions will be
re-imposed next month on Iran’s auto industry, as well as trade in
gold and other metals. In November, bans will come into force on
Iran’s energy sector—the mainstay of its exports and government
finances—along with shipping and insurance and central bank
transactions. Washington has vowed to reduce Iranian oil exports to
near zero.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Trump
administration’s decisions have provocatively ramped up a dangerous
confrontation with Iran. They also have worsened relations with US
allies in Europe, which have developed economic links with Tehran
since 2015. Washington has refused to exempt European companies from
the sanctions, thus threatening to exclude them from the US financial
system if they continue to do business with Iran.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
No official
statement was made following the Principals Committee meeting, but
its purpose was clearly to plan how to ramp up the pressure on Iran.
Officials told the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> the meeting discussed
a “holistic” strategy to undermine Iranian influence throughout
the Middle East. While it was unclear what military options were
discussed, the article noted that the Defence Department had in the
past “worked on limited military options.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
An Australian
Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) article last Friday provided further
evidence that the Trump administration is preparing to attack Iran.
“Senior figures in the Turnbull [Australian] Government have told
the ABC they believe the United States is prepared to bomb Iran’s
nuclear facilities, perhaps as early as next month, and that
Australia is poised to help identify possible targets,” it stated.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Citing senior
government sources, the ABC reported that Australian facilities would
likely play a role in providing the US military with intelligence to
wage war against Iran. While the sources denied that Australia would
be involved in “active targeting,” the joint US-Australian spy
base at Pine Gap in central Australia provides intelligence for a
broad sweep of territory from the Middle East to East Asia, and also
has provided targeting information for US drone assassinations.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The ABC suggested
that “analysts from the little-known spy agency Australian
Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO) would also be expected to
play a part.” The AGO uses satellite and aircraft imagery to
provide geographical intelligence (GEOINT) that could be used for
targeting in various military operations.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
US Defence Secretary
Mattis and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tried to
dismiss the ABC report. Mattis declared it was “fiction,” adding:
“I’m confident that it’s not something that’s being
considered right now.” Turnbull, however, stopped short of a
complete denial, saying only that the ABC story “has not benefited
from any consultation with me, the foreign minister, the defence
minister or the Chief of the Defence Force.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Mattis insisted the
Trump administration had no plans for regime change in Iran. “There’s
none that’s been instituted,” he claimed, but declared that “we
need them to change their behaviour on a number of threats that they
can pose with their military, with their secret services, with their
surrogates and with their proxies.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In reality, far from
Iran posing a threat to the US, successive American administrations
have menaced Iran with the full force of the US military, and sought
to destabilise the regime in Tehran. Having torn up the 2015
agreement, the US is undoubtedly considering all its options,
including military ones, in order to end what it regards as a
significant obstacle to its domination in the Middle East.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Israeli-based
<i>Haaretz</i> newspaper reported late last month on tactical
differences within the Trump administration over Iran, with Bolton
pressing to exploit social unrest to engineer regime change. “One
person who recently spoke with senior White House officials on the
subject summarised Bolton’s view in the words: ‘One little kick
and they’re done’,” it stated. Mattis, on the other hand,
reportedly warned that such efforts could lead to full-scale war.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In early July, <i>Axios</i>
reported that Israel and the US had “formed a joint working group a
few months ago that is focused on internal efforts to encourage
protests within Iran and pressure the country’s government.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ahead of next
month’s sanctions, on the weekend the Iranian rial plunged in value
to 111,500 against one US dollar on the unofficial market, from about
97,500 rials, according to a foreign exchange website. The currency
has lost half of its value since April amid fears about the
sanctions’ impact on the economy.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Deliberately
exacerbating social tensions inside Iran, however, could fuel an
explosive movement of working people against the Islamic regime in
Tehran that would not be to Washington’s liking. In late 2017 and
early 2018, mass protests of workers erupted over worsening social
conditions and widening social inequality. These demonstrations had a
completely different class character to the so-called Green Movement
of the upper-middle classes of Tehran that sought to overturn the
2009 presidential election.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A mass movement of
the Iranian working class would reverberate throughout the region,
where workers in every country face a deepening social crisis.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" , serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>This
article first appeared on </i></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/07/30/iran-j30.html"><span style="color: #de7008;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" , serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>World
Socialist Web Site (WSWS)</i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" , serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>on
</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" , serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>30</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" , serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>
July</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" , serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>2018,
and was republished with permission.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-36309750755185899062018-07-13T13:12:00.000+02:002018-07-13T13:12:46.383+02:00NATO, at war with itself, rearms for war with the world<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: Imago/Eibner Europa</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">By Andre Damon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Media coverage of this week’s NATO summit was dominated by the deepening tensions between US President Donald Trump and Washington’s military allies, in particular Germany, amid a mounting international trade war launched by the White House last month.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Despite the displays of division, capped by Trump’s mafioso-like demands for greater military spending by his “delinquent” NATO allies, all members of the alliance reaffirmed their commitment to massive military rearmament, to be paid for with sweeping cuts to public infrastructure and attacks on the social position of the working class.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, declared at the end of the summit that “after years of decline, when Allies were cutting billions, now they are adding billions.” He boasted that over the past year and a half, “European Allies and Canada have added an additional 41 billion dollars to their defense spending.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The most immediate and tangible outcome of the summit was a NATO plan to expand the number of high-readiness military forces ready to attack Russia, or any other country, at a moment’s notice. The summit resolution declared that “Allies will offer an additional 30 major naval combatants, 30 heavy or medium manoeuvre battalions, and 30 kinetic air squadrons, with enabling forces, at 30 days’ readiness or less.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The resolution reaffirmed NATO’s moves to deploy “four multinational combat-ready battalion-sized battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland,” including “over 4,500 troops from across the Alliance, able to operate alongside national home defence forces,” all within hundreds of miles of Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The summit further agreed to create two new command headquarters: one in Norfolk, Virginia, “to focus on protecting the transatlantic lines of communication,” and a new command center in Germany to “ensure freedom of operation and sustainment in the rear area in support of the rapid movement of troops and equipment into, across, and from Europe.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The summit resolution reaffirms the expansion of NATO’s nuclear arsenal, declaring, “As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance. The strategic forces of the Alliance, particularly those of the United States, are the supreme guarantee of the security of Allies.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It further vowed to continue NATO’s eastward expansion, reiterating NATO’s plans to invite Macedonia, Ukraine and Georgia to join the anti-Russian alliance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The massive military build-up throughout Europe will be paid for with stepped-up attacks on the working class, through the dismantling of social safety nets and, as pioneered by the government of French President Emanuel Macron, wage and benefit cuts for state workers and the privatization of state assets.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trump made clear that his demand for greater European military spending is inseparable from his mercantilist economic policies aimed at improving the US balance of trade with Germany, the world’s third-ranking exporter after China and the United States.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">His denunciations of Germany for its purchase of natural gas from Russia became a focal point of the summit. In Trump’s view, Germany, which exports twice as much to the United States as it imports, must buy US natural gas at premium prices if it is to receive “protection” from the US military.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In pursuit of his trade conflict with Germany, Trump has consciously sought, as with his statement in support of a “hard” Brexit Thursday, to destabilize the European Union. He has promoted far-right, Eurosceptic political movements, whose denunciations of the “Brussels bureaucracy” are little more than a cover for national antagonisms with Germany, the dominant power within the EU.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">But this is a dangerous game. Stratfor, in an analysis of the NATO summit, warned that Europe is a “continent riven with rivalry.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The U.S. strategy to deal with Russia will remain inextricably linked to how it manages a balance of power on the European continent,” it continues. “The United Kingdom is too consumed with its divorce from the bloc to assume its traditional balancing role for the Continent. That knocks out the third leg of the triad of great European powers, leaving an uneasy pair in France and Germany to prevent the Continent from descending into an all-too-familiar pattern of conflict.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stratfor adds, “But it is one thing for the U.S. president to recognize and operate within the limits of an uncomfortable reality without losing sight of its core imperative: maintaining a balance of power in Europe is still essential to the United States’ ability to manage growing competition with Russia and China and any peripheral distractions that may emerge. It is another thing to actively stoke nationalist embers on the Continent and encourage the unraveling of an imperfect bloc through trade assaults and transactional security threats. The latter is playing with fire.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">But “playing with fire” is exactly Trump’s strategy in both domestic and international politics. Trump, expressing the instincts of a semi-criminal real estate speculator, is intent on calling everyone’s bluff – allies and enemies alike.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Edward Luce, commenting Thursday in the </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Financial Times</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">, noted that “Trump knows more than his critics give him credit for” because “he instinctively grasps other people’s bottom lines.” He adds, “The most lethal demagogue is one who grasps an underlying reality. Mr. Trump knows that Europe needs America more than America needs Europe.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">While “wrecking” alliances “reduces Washington’s global clout,” the “bigger loser is Europe. Its survival depends on America’s guarantee.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In other words, Trump’s actions, “unconventional” as they are, reflect something objective in the US position in the world geopolitical and economic order. Recognizing the United States’ role as the reactionary keystone of global imperialism, Trump is demanding “protection” money from its “allies,” no matter the cost to the stability of the geopolitical order.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The American president, in the whirlwind of the past month, in which he scuttled the G7 summit, launched a trade war against Europe and China, held a summit with North Korea hoping to turn it against China, and is on the verge of a summit with Vladimir Putin aiming to turn Russia against Iran, has thrown all international alliances up in the air, aiming to extract maximum trade, economic and military concessions from “ally” and “enemy” alike.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This turbulent and chaotic world order recalls nothing so much as the geopolitics of the 1930s, with an endless parade of alliances created one day and overturned the next. In that period, each alliance created, no less than each alliance broken, was the prelude to the eruption of world war.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And in the 1930s, as now, every country was re-arming to the teeth amid the eruption of trade war and the rise and promotion of fascist movements throughout Europe.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The outcome of the NATO summit, with is peculiar combination of massive rearmament and explosive divisions, substantially heightens the risk of world war. Who will be the combatants in such a conflict, over what nominal cause, cannot be foretold. But all those who claimed that, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, NATO would be converted into a “peaceful” and “democratic” alliance have been exposed as charlatans.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>This article first appeared on </i></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/07/13/pers-j12.html"><span style="color: #de7008;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>World Socialist Web Site (WSWS)</i></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>on </i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>12 July</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>2018, and was republished with permission.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7449198270957289095.post-79650872689688797062018-06-12T16:57:00.000+02:002018-06-12T17:34:54.645+02:00F-35: Amerikaans exportsucces, of $1 biljoen verslindende mislukking?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uh7mkkVw5Mo/Wx_ewkg2wiI/AAAAAAAACMw/aRQJ9-TbDwgqSsGxXthxfUtL3x_swLbwgCEwYBhgL/s1600/F-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="1239" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uh7mkkVw5Mo/Wx_ewkg2wiI/AAAAAAAACMw/aRQJ9-TbDwgqSsGxXthxfUtL3x_swLbwgCEwYBhgL/s640/F-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>U.S.
Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from the 58th
Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. perform an
aerial refueling mission with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 336th
Air Refueling Squadron from March ARB, Calif., May 14th, 2013 off the
coast of Northwest Florida.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Volgens
het Amerikaanse zakenblad <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2018/05/29/lockheed-martin-f-35-fighter-poised-to-become-one-of-americas-biggest-exports/#1ff6c7384d54">Forbes</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">wordt
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">de</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">verkoop
van de </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">F-35
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">éé</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL">n
van Amerika's grootste export</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL">successen</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL">.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Naast
de “partnerlanden” die participeren in de ontwikkeling hebben ook
Israel, Japan en Zuid-Korea het toestel besteld. België, Finland,
Duitsland, Singapore, Spanje, Zwitserland en de UAE zullen binnenkort
volgen. Het toestel is gewoon een must voor elk land dat in coalitie
met de VS wil opereren. Geen enkel ander toestel is zo onkwetsbaar,
veelzijdig, economisch en zo naadloos passend bij de Amerikaanse
luchtmacht, zo juicht Forbes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
ons land ontaardde het F-35-debat in een moddergevecht. De essentie
kwam echter niet aan bod: passen gevechtsvliegtuigen wel in een
modern defensiebeleid? Tegen welke vijand moeten we die inzetten? Hoe
verhouden zich de aantallen operationele gevechtsvliegtuigen in Oost
en West? Moet Europa niet veel meer inzetten op drones,
cyberdefensie, en andere verdedigingswapens, om maar niet te spreken
van diplomatie en een stop op het sponsoren van terreurgroepen? En
als het al gevechtsvliegtuigen moeten zijn, waarom moeten die
aanvalstaken zoals het afgooien van kernwapens kunnen uitvoeren?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Blijkbaar
hoort buurland Nederland tot de “partnerlanden” die al vroeg in
het </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">F</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">-35
project stapten. D</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
immer </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">kostenbewuste</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Nederlanders schroomden niet om </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">druk
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">uit
te oefenen om het “goede voorbeeld” te volgen</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Intussen
wijzen d</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">e
specificaties waaraan het nieuwe </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">gevechtsvliegtuig</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
moet voldoen </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">in
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">h</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">et
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwjHpfyb4c3bAhUHYlAKHQ2zALsQFggoMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vandeput.fgov.be%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2FRequest%2520for%2520Government%2520Proposal_0.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3pAlYxuNpgXOO7zuRwbF_S">Belgian
Defence Air Combat Capability Program</a> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">regelrecht
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">richting
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">F-35.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
Nederlandse luchtmachtgeneraal Alexander Schnitger <a href="https://www.tijd.be/nieuws/archief/Een-Zwitsers-zakmes/10001828">vergeleek</a>
ooit de veelzijdigheid van de F-35 met die van een Zwitsers zakmes.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maar
volgens <a href="https://www.iospress.nl/ios_news/joint-strike-fighter-is-a-complete-failure-from-an-engineering-design-point-of-view/">Lex
van Gunsteren</a>, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">emeritus-hoogleraar</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">v</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">an
de Nederlandse Technische Universiteit Delft </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">(TUD)</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
i</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">s
dat bezijden de werkelijkheid.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Quality
in Design and Execution of Engineering Practice</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
een <a href="http://ebooks.iospress.nl/volume/quality-in-design-and-execution-of-engineering-practice#">boek</a>
dat hij samen met </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><a href="https://www.dal.ca/faculty/engineering/industrial/faculty-staff/our-faculty1/professors/jonathan-barzilai.html">Jonathan
Barzilai</a> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL">en
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><a href="https://www.tudelft.nl/staff/r.binnekamp/?no_cache=1&cHash=a3d67bd1f36ca892e50bde09aa998b57">Ruud
Binnekamp</a> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">schreef,
wijst Van Gunsteren (p. 29-32) op de veelzijdigheidsvalkuil, het
gevaar van te grote veelzijdigheid binnen één productconcept. De
auteur geeft als voorbeeld de F-35. Omwille van het belang voor het
lopende F-35 debat laten we hieronder een samenvatting van dat deel
volgen.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>De
veelzijdig</b><b>heids</b><b>valkuil</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kwaliteit
is geschiktheid voor het doel. Maar voor welk doel? Soms is het doel
onduidelijk of dubbelzinnig geformuleerd omdat kopers tegenstrijdige
doelen in hun hoofd hebben. Deze lieden lopen in wat we de
veelzijdigheidsvalkuil kunnen noemen. Een adequaat technisch ontwerp
is dan onmogelijk. Het inbouwen van overbodige toeters en bellen
leidt tot enorme geldverspilling, zoals in het F-35 project.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Als
technisch ontwerp is het $1 biljoen verslindende F-35-project een
totale mislukking. Het ontwerp verliest de meest essentiële
ontwerpbeperking uit het oog: gewicht. Het gewicht van een vliegtuig
moet worden gedragen door de lift van zijn vleugels.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
JSF moet (1) ondersteuning aan grondtroepen kunnen geven, (2)
luchtgevechten voeren, en (3) langeafstandsbombardementen uitvoeren.
De eerste twee missies vereisen een manoeuvreerbaarheid die de JSF
niet kan leveren vanwege de ongunstige lift/gewichtsverhouding. Met
die drie missies moet de F-35 vier groepen belanghebbenden kunnen
dienen:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(1)
de luchtmacht, die het zoekt in luchtgevechten en bombardementen,</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(2)
de marine, die moet kunnen opstijgen en landen op een vliegdekschip,</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="firstHeading"></a>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(3)
het Korps Mariniers, dat infanterie-ondersteuning vraagt, en</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(4)
lieden die werkzekerheid zoeken.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zo’n
cocktail aan missies en belangengroepen leidt tot twaalf
verschillende opdrachten. De veelzijdigheidsvalkuil ten voeten uit:
een vliegtuig dat het 2008-RAND-rapport ‘zowat nutteloos’ noemt,
omdat het ‘niet kan wenden, niet kan klimmen, niet kan versnellen’.
Pierre Sprey, die mee instond voor het ontwerp van de A10 en F16, zei
in 2008 al: “De F35 is een flop. Hij is te zwaar en heeft te weinig
vermogen, een serieuze stap terug in de stuwkracht/gewichtsverhouding
voor een nieuwe jager.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">De
A en B varianten hebben een vleugelbelasting van 108 lb per vierkante
voet en zijn daarmee minder wendbaar dan de uiterst kwetsbare F-105
die boven Noord-Vietnam werd afgemaakt. Het laadvermogen is slechts
twee 2000 lb bommen. Met meer bommen verliest de F-35 zijn
stealth-eigenschappen. Voor luchtsteun is de F-35 te snel om de
tactische doelen te zien waarop het schiet. Het toestel is te
kwetsbaar voor grondbrand. Het is niet in staat om lang te blijven
rondhangen bij grondtroepen.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Een
stealth vliegtuig is, afhankelijk van het type radar en de
detectiehoek, wel degelijk zichbaar op radar. De uiterst complexe
elektronica om luchtdoelen aan te vallen gaat uit van
ultra-langeafstandsradar ondersteund luchtgevecht, wat in de
werkelijkheid meestal niet opgaat.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL">Nog
volgens </span><span lang="nl-NL">Sprey </span><span lang="nl-NL">zal
uit kostenoverwegingen bezuinigd worden op trainingsvluchten</span><span lang="nl-NL">
tot slechts 10 uur </span><span lang="nl-NL">per piloot</span><span lang="nl-NL">,
een derde van wat </span><span lang="nl-NL">na </span><span lang="nl-NL">de
Vietnam-oorlog </span><span lang="nl-NL">werd beschouwd als he</span><span lang="nl-NL">t
absolute minimum om </span><span lang="nl-NL">simulator</span><span lang="nl-NL">training
aan te vullen. Oorlogservaring </span><span lang="nl-NL">leert </span><span lang="nl-NL">dat
de piloot veel belangrijker is dan het vliegtuig. </span><span lang="nl-NL">Volgens
</span><span lang="nl-NL">Sprey </span><span lang="nl-NL">is </span><span lang="nl-NL">een
goede piloot in een </span><span lang="nl-NL">inferieur</span><span lang="nl-NL">
vliegtuig veel waardevoller dan een f</span><span lang="nl-NL">enomenaal</span><span lang="nl-NL">
vliegtuig met een slechte piloot.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Waarom
gaat men door met de ontwikkeling van een peperduur maar ‘zowat
nutteloos’ vliegtuig dat twee van de drie missies waarvoor het
bedoeld is niet kan waarmaken? Ik zie drie redenen waarom de
besluitvormers doof lijken voor de waarschuwingen van doorgewinterde
ontwerpingenieurs:<br />
<br />
1. Een vliegtuig dat alle denkbare
missies van alle belanghebbenden kan vervullen is buitengewoon
aantrekkelijk. Voor niet-technisch onderlegde mensen is het niet
evident dat zoiets onhaalbaar is.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL">2.
Het begrip ‘ver</span><span lang="nl-NL">doken</span><span lang="nl-NL">
kosten’ is moeilijk te aanvaarden, vooral voor mensen die het
project aanvankelijk hebben goedgekeurd. </span><span lang="nl-NL">E</span><span lang="nl-NL">en
project </span><span lang="nl-NL">opgeven </span><span lang="nl-NL">waarin
aanzienlijk </span><span lang="nl-NL">is geïnvesteerd is o zo
moeilijk. </span><span lang="nl-NL">Dat geldt in het bedrijfsleven,
en de politiek zal het op dat vlak </span><span lang="nl-NL">wel </span><span lang="nl-NL">niet
beter doen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL">3.
Te veel mensen hebben een persoonlijk belang bij de voortzetting van
het pro</span><span lang="nl-NL">ject</span><span lang="nl-NL">. </span><span lang="nl-NL">Naar
verluidt heeft </span><span lang="nl-NL">Lockheed Martin, d</span><span lang="nl-NL">i</span><span lang="nl-NL">e
</span><span lang="nl-NL">het leeuwenaandeel van de productie voor
zijn rekening neemt, </span><span lang="nl-NL">zo’n </span><span lang="nl-NL">$</span><span lang="nl-NL">150</span><span lang="nl-NL">
miljoen uitgegeven aan lobbyen en $20 miljoen aan </span><span lang="nl-NL">budget
(</span><span lang="nl-NL"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">earmarks</span></i></span><span lang="nl-NL">)
terug</span><span lang="nl-NL">ontvangen. Dat is veel geld om stemmen
en ondersteuning te kopen, naast de steun die het pro</span><span lang="nl-NL">ject
</span><span lang="nl-NL">al geniet van degenen wier baan op het spel
staat.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hoe
vermijdt men de veelzijdigheidsvalkuil? Door opdrachtgevers duidelijk
te maken dat wat men eist gewoon onmogelijk is. Men moet geen
compromissen sluiten tussen tegenstrijdige doelen, maar in het pakket
schrappen. Men moet de moed opbrengen om superieuren deze lastige
boodschap te brengen als onderdeel van de beroepsethiek, net als een
arts die een patiënt moet vertellen dat hij terminaal ziek is.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Federaal
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Parlement
staat op het punt groen licht te geven aan een €15 miljard
verslindend </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">nutteloos
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">project.
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">De
argumentatie van professor Van Gunsteren </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">moet
tevoren </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">minstens
in de </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">commissie</span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Defensie aan de orde komen</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Dat
levert misschien meer op dan de druppelsgewijze onthulling van echte
of nepmails door de oppositie. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Het
is onbegrijpelijk dat de s.pa over de visie van professor Van
Gunsteren wel heeft <a href="https://www.s-p-a.be/artikel/f-35-de-faaljager-van-de-vorige-eeuw/">gepubliceerd</a>,
maar daar blijkbaar verder niets mee heeft gedaan.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Dat
NV-A en </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">Open
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">VLD
gewonnen zijn voor de F-35 staat vast, </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">b</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">ij
CD&V moest ex-defensieminister Pieter De Crem, die </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">naar
verluidt</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
NAVO-ambities koestert, </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">blijkba</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">a</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">r</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
recent nog een duit in het zakje doen. De oppositie moet dus </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">zijn
</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">pijlen
richten op </span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">de</span></span><span lang="nl-NL"><span style="background: transparent;">
CD&V.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>
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<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }a:link { }</style>Paul Lookmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05255926498167994290noreply@blogger.com0