Wenn am nächsten Sonntag Bundestagswahl wäre …
Archiv: Militär / Kriegsetat („Verteidigungshaushalt“) / military / war („defense“) budgets
Umfragen Brandenburg (#ltwbb)
Wenn am nächsten Sonntag Landtagswahl wäre …
The Ghost of the 1968 Antiwar Movement Has Returned
Those young demonstrators had come of age seeing continual — and effective — protests during the civil rights movement and national mourning after the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A year earlier King staked out his opposition to the war, saying that while he wasn’t attempting “to make North Vietnam or the National Liberation Front paragons of virtue,” he wanted to underscore his belief “that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money, like some demonic, destructive suction tube.” He said he was “compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and attack it as such.”
US Republican leaders back security aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan
(today)
On Tuesday, Republican leaders from four US House of Representatives national security committees and one subcommittee released a statement endorsing Speaker Mike Johnson‘s proposal to advance legislation this week, offering security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
„Speaker Johnson has produced a plan that will boost US national security interests in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific,“ the leaders of the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, Appropriations and Defense Appropriations panels said in a statement.
Lawmakers still benefitting from share trading in defense stocks
(02.04.2024)
With the onslaught of new wars, Congress added $70 billion over the last two years to an already bloated Pentagon budget, much of which is funneled directly into the coffers of defense contractors like Palatir, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The stock values in these companies have since experienced double-digit growth – a lucrative business opportunity not overlooked by lawmakers calling the shots.
At least 25 members of Congress sitting on national security committees have simultaneously purchased stock in these very same companies. The majority of these members sit on the Senate and House Armed Services committees, the entities responsible for overseeing the Defense Department budget and contracts.
Kremlin responds to rumors of Russian space nukes
Western media reports claiming that Russia could place nuclear weapons in space are nothing more than a ploy by the White House to convince US lawmakers to approve further military aid to Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Citing sources, several US media outlets reported this week that American intelligence had obtained information on purported Russian plans to deploy a nuclear anti-satellite system in space, although the idea supposedly remains at the developmental stage.
USA erteilen „Arrow 3“-Freigabe: Israels „historischer“ Rüstungsdeal kann kommen
Am Ende sei es die Leistungsfähigkeit von „Arrow 3“ gewesen, die auch die Bundeswehr und die deutsche Bundesregierung überzeugt habe. So der Inspekteur der Luftwaffe, General Ingo Gerhartz in einem Interview im israelischen Fernsehen: „Das System hat große Fähigkeiten. Und es gibt nun mal die Bedrohung durch Langstreckenraketen.“
Raketenabwehr für Deutschland
Deutschland steht vor einem großen Rüstungsdeal, da die USA Israel die Erlaubnis für den Verkauf des Raketenabwehrsystems Arrow 3 gegeben haben. Bis Ende 2025 soll es einsatzbereit sein.
Arrow 3 kann auch ballistische Raketen, abgefeuert aus einer Entfernung von bis zu 2.400 Kilometern abfangen – ein Vorteil, auch für Deutschlands Nachbarländer bei möglichen Angriffen.
Israel clinches largest-ever defense deal with Germany for $3.5 billion after securing US approval
Although Israel has long had close economic and military links with western European countries, the deal with Germany could draw the attention of Russia. Israel has maintained working relations with Russia throughout the war in Ukraine and has repeatedly rebuffed requests to sell arms to Kyiv for fear of antagonizing Moscow.
US stresses it will not cut aid to Israel due to judicial overhaul
Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in a phone call that “broad consensus through political dialogue” is a “critical element of a resilient democracy.”
Pocan Derides Nearly $1 Trillion NDAA
“It’s time to say ‘enough.’ Year after year, we spend more and more on our national defense – it’s too much with too little accountability. We have troops on food stamps while at the same time, price-gouging defense contractors are getting richer by the day.
House Narrowly Passes Defense Bill, Setting Up Showdown Over Social Issues
At stake is an $886 billion bill that would grant a 5.2 percent raise to military personnel, include programs to counter aggressive moves by China and Russia, and establish a special inspector general to oversee U.S. aid to Ukraine.
The Enemy From Within
America is a stratocracy, a form of government dominated by the military. It is axiomatic among the two ruling parties that there must be a constant preparation for war. The war machine’s massive budgets are sacrosanct. Its billions of dollars in waste and fraud are ignored. Its military fiascos in Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East have disappeared into the vast cavern of historical amnesia. This amnesia, which means there is never accountability, licenses the war machine to economically disembowel the country and drive the Empire into one self-defeating conflict after another. The militarists win every election. They cannot lose. It is impossible to vote against them. The war state is a Götterdämmerung, as Dwight Macdonald writes, “without the gods.”
Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Meeting with Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defense of Germany
(today)
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met yesterday with German Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius to discuss a range of global security issues. They reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through the continued provision of security assistance. They reviewed preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius. They also discussed efforts to expand partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, noting the importance of bolstering global resilience and countering the challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III‘s Meeting With German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius
(28.06.2023)
Secretary Austin thanked Minister Pistorius for Germany‘s significant assistance and contributions to Ukraine. He also thanked Minister Pistorius for German support to bolster NATO‘s Eastern Flank, including support to U.S. and NATO force deployments to and through Germany.
The leaders also discussed a range of other global challenges, including issues in the Indo-Pacific.
Top-level study on Intel Community, Space Force satellite control coming soon
Since the Space Force’s inception three years ago, there’s been some tension between the newest military service and spy satellite agencies over who’s responsible for acquiring satellite imagery and ISR products and providing actionable information to military commanders.
NATO Members Use a Major Air Exercise to Send a Message to Russia
After 30 years of shrinking military budgets, air power had become a vulnerability for NATO, but that began changing after the Russian invasion. NATO increased its air patrols along the Russian border and based allied troops and aircraft in four more NATO countries.
In addition, some NATO states are trying to bolster Ukraine’s air power — for the current conflict and to deter Russia in the future — with the United States recently agreeing to let Ukrainian pilots train on American-made F-16 fighter jets.
Defense Contractor Funded Think Tanks Dominate Ukraine Debate
Few Americans know what a think tank is or does, although they play a pivotal role in the U.S. political process.2 Think tanks operate as something of a conduit between academia and the policymaking community, conducting research and opining on pressing policy issues, including everything from healthcare to climate change to U.S. foreign policy. Think tanks also work directly with policymakers in the executive branch and Congress. Their experts regularly testify before Congress and go on to serve in key positions in the executive branch. Former government officials in turn often go on to work for think tanks, earning them the nickname of “holding tank” where former government officials await a change in party affiliation of Congress or the Presidency.
Of most direct relevance to this brief is the fact that think tanks are a go–to source for media outlets seeking opinions on pressing policy issues. Think tank experts provide the comments and articles you read in prominent national media outlets . They’re the voices you hear providing commentary on NPR, podcasts, and even local radio stations. They’re the faces you see on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC opining on the most pressing U.S. policy issues of the day. In short, think tanks are a key component of public debates about U.S. politics and policy.
Internationale Allianz gegen den Islamischen Staat: Partner
Afghanistan
Ägypten
Albanien
Australien
Bahrain
Belgien
Bosnien und Herzegowina
Bulgarien
Republik China (Taiwan)
Dänemark
Deutschland
Dschibuti
Estland
Finnland
Frankreich
Georgien
Griechenland
Irak
Irland
Island
Italien
Japan
Jordanien
Kanada
Katar
Kosovo
Kroatien
Kuwait
Lettland
Libanon
Libyen
Litauen
Luxemburg
Malaysia
Marokko
Moldau
Montenegro
Neuseeland
Niederlande
Nigeria
Nordmazedonien
Norwegen
Oman
Österreich
Panama
Polen
Portugal
Rumänien
Saudi-Arabien
Schweden
Serbien
Singapur
Slowakei
Slowenien
Somalia
Spanien
Südkorea
Tschad
Tschechien
Tunesien
Türkei
Ukraine
Ungarn
Vereinigte Arabische Emirate
Vereinigte Staaten
Vereinigtes Königreich
Zypern
Internationale Organisationen:
Arabische Liga
Europäische Union
Interpol
NATO
Die (Internationale) Große Kriegskoalition bleibt weiter ohne Opposition
(8. Juli 2019)
Wie gefährlich und für die Allermeisten unübersichtlich die Situation in diesem von allen Großmächten mit Ansage gezüchteten Hexenkessel in Syrien ist, mag man daran erkennen, dass die Staatsführungen von Russland, Iran und Syrien im August 2016 dem von der Türkei aus erfolgten Einmarsch der Internationalen Kriegskoalition in Syrien tatenlos zusahen und hofften, dass das nicht weiter auffiel.
Alle Kriegsparteien lügen um die Wette. (…)
Was die Verräterpartei “S.P.D.” und ihre Hunderttausenden von Parteileichen wollen oder nicht wollen, ist dabei bedeutungslos. Die (internationale) Hierarchie befiehlt, sie folgen.
Wer jetzt allen Ernstes mit anderen Verräterparteien wie “die Linke” oder “Bündnis 90/Die Grünen” ankommt, hat sich offensichtlich zum wiederholten Male blitzdingsen lassen.
Das erste Bundestagsmandat für den Einsatz von Spezialkräften, Luftwaffe und (im Zuge von “Aufklärung”) natürlich auch des Bundesnachrichtendienstes, in einem willkürlich und praktisch weltweit ausdehnbaren Einsatzgebiet (auf jedem Territorium jedes Staates in der Kriegskoalition), erfolgte am 4. Dezember 2015.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: „When my uncle came into office, two months later he was fighting his intelligence apparatus and his military… in the middle of Bay of Pigs, he realized they were lying to him. He realized the function of the intelligence agencies had become to provide the military-industrial complex with a constant pipeline of war… … And so the neocons and CIA got to go into Iraq and do regime change. We spent $8 trillion and what did we get for it? Nothing… Iraq is now much worse off than it was when we went in there. We killed more Iraqis than Saddam Hussein ever did.“
(April 20, 2023)
“The Chance for Peace” Address Delivered Before the American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 16th, 1953
This free world knows, out of the bitter wisdom of experience, that vigilance and sacrifice are the price of liberty.
It knows that the defense of Western Europe imperatively demands the unity of purpose and action made possible by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, embracing a European Defense Community.
It knows that Western Germany deserves to be a free and equal partner in this community and that this, for Germany, is the only safe way to full, final unity.
It knows that aggression in Korea and in southeast Asia are threats to the whole free community to be met by united action.
(…)
We are ready not only to press forward with the present plans for closer unity of the nations of Western Europe but also, upon that foundation, to strive to foster a broader European community, conducive to the free movement of persons, of trade, and of ideas.
This community would include a free and united Germany, with a government based upon free and secret elections.
This free community and the full independence of the East European nations could mean the end of the present unnatural division of Europe.
(…)
Again we say: the hunger for peace is too great, the hour in history too late, for any government to mock men’s hopes with mere words and promises and gestures.
The test of truth is simple. There can be no persuasion but by deeds.
(…)
The test is clear.
There is, before all peoples, a precious chance to turn the black tide of events. If we failed to strive to seize this chance, the judgment of future ages would be harsh and just.
If we strive but fail and the world remains armed against itself, it at least need be divided no longer in its clear knowledge of who has condemned humankind to this fate.
Why Eisenhower’s “Chance for Peace” Address Still Matters
(April 19, 2023)
Eisenhower made these comparisons in the early years of the Cold War, shortly after the death of Joseph Stalin. As he told his speechwriter at the time, he was “tired…of just plain indictments of the Soviet regime.… [J]ust one thing matters. What have we got to offer the world?” He was looking for a positive alternative to what he described as the “dread road” the world was then on, which in his view could only lead to one of two outcomes: atomic war or immiseration tied to perpetual military buildups. He described the outcome of continuing with the status quo as “not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.”
Dear President Biden and Secretary Blinken,
(…)
As such, we call on your administration to promptly:
– Ensure U.S. taxpayer funds do not support projects in illegal settlements;
– Determine whether U.S.-origin defense articles have been used in violation of existing U.S. laws, including for a purpose not authorized by Section 4 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. § 2754) or to commit or support gross violations of human rights
by the Israeli government in violation of Section 502B(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act (22 U.S.C. § 2304(a)(2)) and the U.S. „Leahy Laws,“ Section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act (22 U.S.C. § 2378d and 10 U.S.C. § 362).
Furthermore, we call on your administration to ensure that all future foreign assistance to Israel, including weapons and equipment, is not used in support of gross violations of human rights, including by strengthening end-use monitoring and financial tracking. We ask that you respond with a detailed plan as to how the administration plans to achieve that goal.
Progressive Democrats Plan to Make Strongest Statement Yet Against Netanyahu’s Far-right Government
The progressive lawmakers are further urging the Biden administration to ensure U.S. taxpayer funds are not supporting Israeli settlements projects, and to determine whether U.S. military aid is in violation of the Arms Export Control Act or the so-called “Leahy Laws.”
The Arms Export and Controls Act stipulates that U.S. weapons are sold only for legitimate self-defense, while the Leahy Law prohibits U.S. funding from being used to equip or train foreign military forces suspected of human rights abuses or war crimes.
U.S. Finalizes Deal to Give Israel $38 Billion in Military Aid
(Sept. 13, 2016)
The package represents a major commitment to Israel’s security in the waning months of Mr. Obama’s presidency after years of fractious relations with Mr. Netanyahu over issues like the Iran nuclear agreement. Mr. Netanyahu agreed to several concessions to cement the deal rather than gamble on winning better terms from the next president.
The package will provide an average of $3.8 billion a year over the next decade to Israel, …
US Approves $4.8 Billion in Israeli Military Aid in Omnibus Spending Package
(03-11-2022)
The package included the Israel Relations Normalization Act, which seeks to support and expand the Abraham Accords – a series of peace agreements Israel signed with the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain and Sudan.
Additionally, the package includes $50 million in funding for the Middle East Peace Partnership Act, which promotes Israel-Palestinian dialogue programs and investment in Palestinian business development.
… and reform pensions so that most Czechs work until 68. This is the age in which most citizens are no longer fit and healthy. It is good to add that pensions in the Czech republic are ridiculously low, and the country spends a below-average share of GDP in the EU comparison.
What a shame. To appease the warmongers, during this time the Czech government raised annual military budget to match 2% GDP as they are planning to purchase F-35 fighter jets costing 100 billion CZK. The pension cuts will save them 19 billion this year.
So einsatzbereit sind Europas Armeen
Viele Länder in Europa haben seit dem Ende des kalten Krieges bei ihren Militärausgaben gespart. Der Krieg in der Ukraine macht nun die Mängel deutlich, nicht nur in Deutschland.
Braucht Deutschland eine Kriegswirtschaft?
(01.02.2023)
Geld allein löst aber weder eine Bestellung aus, noch beantwortet es die offenen Fragen bei den bürokratischen Hemmnissen. Komplizierte Ausschreibungsvorschriften, endlose Prüfverfahren, militärische Spezialwünsche, parlamentarische Kontrolle und haushaltsrechtliche Einschränkungen stehen oft gegen schnelle Beschaffungen.
„Wir brauchen eine anderen Rechtsrahmen, eine andere Haushaltsgesetzgebung, ein anderes Vergaberecht“, fordert Wüstner, wenn er seine „Art Kriegswirtschaft“ definiert. Und er erhält Unterstützung, etwa für die Reform des Budgetrechts.
Don’t cut the army, says Labour as it positions itself as the party of security
The government needs to rearm the British military to keep Ukraine supplied and to ensure the country is the lead European state in Nato, Labour’s defence spokesman will say in a keynote speech.
Positioning Labour as the party of security for Britain, John Healey will call for a halt to cuts in the Army and a strategic pact with European partners to face challenges in an increasingly dangerous world.
Israel, US to hold air drill simulating striking Iran nuclear program
(November 28, 2022)
The NIS 58 billion defense budget set for the IDF in the coming year is expected to allow the Israeli military to focus on the threats posed by Iran across the region, with some NIS 3.5b. designated specifically for this.
Biden Is Set To Sign $858 Billion Pentagon Budget—One of the Biggest Ever
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is expanding the military budget enormously. Pentagon spending is set to hit levels not seen since the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act, bill heads to President Biden
Both chambers of Congress have passed the bill, and it will now head to President Biden‘s desk.
The bill passed by a vote of 83-11, with 60 votes needed for approval.
Wolfgang Ischinger fordert „Kriegswirtschaft“ für Deutschland
Der aktuelle Chef des Stiftungsrates der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz, Wolfgang Ischinger, hat in einem Interview mit dem Springer-Blatt BILD die Bundesregierung aufgefordert, alles in die Wege zu leiten, um Deutschland in eine „Kriegswirtschaft“ zu führen. Die Bundesrepublik stände erst „erst am Anfang der Zeitenwende“, so der langjährige deutsche Spitzendiplomat und Botschafter in den USA. Die vom ihm nun platzierte Forderung ist mehr als nur ein indirektes Eingeständnis, dass, zumindest nach seinem Verständnis, die Bundesrepublik sich bereits im Krieg mit Russland befindet.
Julian Assange speaking in 2011: „The goal is to use Afghanistan to wash money out of the tax bases of the US and Europe through Afghanistan and back into the hands of a transnational security elite. The goal is an endless war, not a successful war“
(18 Aug 2021)
German defense state secretary: What ‘Zeitenwende’ really means
I am a child of the post-Cold War order. Peace and prosperity in a united Europe were my reality, but those certainties no longer exist. A radical rethinking has begun, as we realize that there is no natural law protecting freedom. Europe’s systemic rivals will openly challenge the rules-based international order and our ways of life.
In Germany, we coined a term for these strategic challenges of the future that concern us all: Zeitenwende—a turning point. As I travel to Washington this week to meet with US defense officials and others, here’s what the United States should know about this term and this pivotal moment in time for Germany.