Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Zanza - Today at 01:21:46 PM

The guy Trump nominated for the Fed sounds like a reasonable, orthodox technocrat, not a sycophantic idiot.  I mean that's welcome, but pretty unusual.

#2

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 01:09:52 PM

I think there's a good chance that relations will be better post-Trump. His senile shit-flinging monkey personality doesn't help.

The question is whether post-Trump will be the same agenda and world view with a slightly more reasonable veneer, whether it'll be someone trying to repair things, or whether it'll be an entirely third direction. The key challenge there is how to maintain the movement towards strength and self-sufficiency when there's an excuse to lose focus.

As for what Europe is doing now... if I was the King of Europe (tm), I'd be taking firmer action more rapidly. Nonetheless, my impression is that Europe is moving in the right direction with some purpose, and if this is kept up Europe will get there.

I don't think the person who is President after Trump is relevant to the question of developing more diversified trade away from the United States and mitigating potential future American threats.  The damage is now done and I don't think there is any going back to the kind of relationship that once existed.

#3

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 01:06:25 PM

Kennedy: Tell me the people I should talk to about measles

Answer: WHO

....

You know the rest of that bit.

#4

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Norgy - Today at 12:51:16 PM

WHO would have thought having a antivax nutter as the secretary of health would lead to such an unforeseen consequence.

Yes, I think the WHO would have.

#5

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Jacob - Today at 12:43:47 PM

Hey Brits - recently my social media feed has had a reasonable number of links to The iPaper. It appears to be British, and paid access only.

Are you familiar with it, and if so how do you rate it?

[Merz says Germany exploring shared nuclear umbrella with European allies]

#6

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by Jacob - Today at 12:35:10 PM

Looks like the conversation about developing European nuclear capabilities is under way:

Merz says Germany exploring shared nuclear umbrella with European allies

BERLIN, Jan 29 (Reuters) - European nations are starting to discuss ideas around a shared nuclear umbrella to complement existing security arrangements with the U.S., German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, amid growing talk in Germany of developing its own nuclear defences.

Merz, speaking at a time of increased transatlantic tensions as U.S. President Donald Trump upends traditional alliances, said the talks were only at an initial stage and no decision was imminent.

"We know that we have to reach a number of strategic and military policy decisions, but at the moment, the time is not ripe," he told reporters on Thursday.

Germany is currently banned from developing a nuclear weapon of its own under the so-called Four Plus Two agreement that opened the way for the country's reunification in 1990 as well as under a landmark nuclear non-proliferation treaty that Germany signed in 1969.

Merz said Germany's treaty obligations did not prevent it from discussing joint solutions with partners, including Britain and France, the only European powers which have a nuclear arsenal.

"These talks are taking place. They are also not in conflict with nuclear-sharing with the United States of America," he said.

European nations have long relied heavily on the United States, including its large nuclear arsenal, for their defence but have been increasing military spending, partly in response to sharp criticism from the Trump administration.
Trump has rattled Washington's European allies with his talk of acquiring Greenland from Denmark, a NATO ally, and his threat, later rescinded, to impose tariffs on countries that stood in his way.

He has also suggested in the past that the U.S. would not help protect countries that failed to spend enough on their own defence.

Merz's comments were echoed by the head of the parliamentary defence committee, Thomas Roewekamp, who said Germany had the technical capacity which could be used in developing a European nuclear weapon.

"We do not have missiles or warheads, but we do have a significant technological advantage that we could contribute to a joint European initiative," Roewekamp, from Merz's centre-right Christian Democratic Union party, told Germany's Welt TV.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/merz-says-germany-exploring-shared-nuclear-umbrella-with-european-allies-2026-01-29/

#7

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by Jacob - Today at 12:26:43 PM

I think there's a good chance that relations will be better post-Trump. His senile shit-flinging monkey personality doesn't help.

The question is whether post-Trump will be the same agenda and world view with a slightly more reasonable veneer, whether it'll be someone trying to repair things, or whether it'll be an entirely third direction. The key challenge there is how to maintain the movement towards strength and self-sufficiency when there's an excuse to lose focus.

As for what Europe is doing now... if I was the King of Europe (tm), I'd be taking firmer action more rapidly. Nonetheless, my impression is that Europe is moving in the right direction with some purpose, and if this is kept up Europe will get there.

#8

Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...

Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 12:17:24 PM

Noticed that they added the Alters.  Heard good things about that one.

#9

Gaming HQ / Re: The Miscellaneous PC & vid...

Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 12:15:43 PM

I quite liked Manor Lords, it was a work in progress on release but still enjoyable, may be even better now.  They've a got a ton of Age of Empires game if that's your bag.  Also they have Paradox games but I think without DLC.

The Indiana Jones game is on there - not a strat game at all but definitely worth playing.

#10

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by Crazy_Ivan80 - Today at 12:07:57 PM

And out of date - just a casual read of post Davos reactions of leaders and think tanks alike tell a very different story.

If it's not followed by relevant actions it's still a cope, just a different one