U.S. pushes to revitalize NATO, but dispute persists with key ally Germany

[Boats]

U.S. pushes to revitalize NATO, but dispute persists with key ally Germany
By: John Vandiver - Stars Stripes News - 03-23-21
Re: https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/...rmany-1.666931

STUTTGART, Germany — Germany’s plan to open a new gas pipeline with Russia poses a threat to European security, America’s top diplomat warned Tuesday, highlighting a key point of contention with allies even as Washington aims to revitalize ties with NATO that were strained during the Trump administration.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he expected to bring up Berlin’s subsea Nord Stream 2 pipeline project with Moscow during high-level talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where the 30 member states are meeting for two days of discussions.

President Joe Biden “believes the pipeline line is a bad idea. Bad for Europe, bad for the United States,” Blinken said during brief opening remarks in Brussels. “Ultimately, it’s in contradiction to the European Union’s own energy security goals. It has the potential to undermine the interests of Ukraine, Poland, a number of other close partners or allies.”

Opposition to the nearly complete Nord Stream 2 project, a pipeline that runs 760 miles from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, puts the Biden administration in line with the Trump administration’s previous position.

But the dispute with Germany also complicates Biden’s push to establish a more unified front among NATO allies. Blinken said if the project comes to fruition, Washington would be required by U.S. law to impose sanctions on companies involved in the energy venture, which would likely affect numerous German businesses.

Still, allies in Brussels this week are talking up how the arrival of Biden bodes well for NATO, which former President Donald Trump often complained was more beneficial to Europe than to the United States.

“There is no way to hide over the last few years we have had difficult discussions in our alliance,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.

With Biden in the White House, “we have now a unique opportunity to start a new chapter in the trans-Atlantic relationship,” Stoltenberg said. “And I strongly welcome the Biden administration’s message on rebuilding alliances and strengthening NATO.”

In Brussels this week, allies are expected to develop plans to adapt NATO over the next decade, with a focus on dealing with a rising China and n assertive Russia. The aim is to ready the new strategy for heads of state to approve during a summit later this year.

NATO also is working on plans to better factor the effects of climate change into allied military planning, Stoltenberg said.

Allies on Tuesday and Wednesday were expected to endorse a report that would have members look for ways to reduce emissions during military operations, while also assessing the effects of climate change on military infrastructure.

“Climate change is a crisis multiplier,” Stoltenberg said. “Climate change is making the world a more dangerous place. And therefore it matters for NATO.”

The mission in Afghanistan and the feasibility of pulling allied forces out of that country by May 1 was also on the agenda. No final decisions on the way forward were expected to materialize during conference in Brussels.

“Last week, President Biden noted that it would be tough to meet the May 1 deadline for a full withdrawal, but whatever the United States ends up doing will be informed by the thinking of our NATO allies, which I’ll take back with me after these conversations and consultations,” Blinken said.

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Personal note: Pulling away from NATO will cost us dearly. America is soon to be an island of its own in the world. Why we all can't work together around the world - seems to a failure in part by all those given to make it so. We've lost the leverage we once had to show promise and the ability to show other Nations how to succeed. I know many have said in the past who needs NATO - well we - the world does. The more considerations shared amongst our allies - and partners - the better off the world will be. Strong arm technic's don't work anymore. Other countries have seen the US weakness in many areas of world. And now we have our own internal issues within our lands which sends signals to the world leaders - look the US can't handle its own political and internal issues any longer.
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The world is getting smaller - and the US will become isolated from much of it - as others seek to set the new standards of the world order. Russia - China - North Korea seem more unified than the U.S. allies of late. Erosion of the mindset and lost of leverage around the world will impact the growth of those nations in flux.
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As a natural born Citizen of U.S. for the past 75 years - I have seen turmoil increase within the mindset of our Country & it's Leadership. The People are at odds with one-another daily. Congress is so divided on party lines - nothing gets done. Whatever path they are on is not improving our internal issues or our international ones - it only raises them!
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I'm not sure I like the split between the two houses. They are all American's who say they are working the best issues of their party! NOT THE PEOPLE as a whole. You may as well call it Segregation! A divided Nation will FALL! It's leaning that way every year. If it's not the North its the South or its the East against the West. Where in the hell un UNITY!
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That's the question!
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As for the open door Border I'm not happy! I've sent my feeling my Senator!

a. Cut the border immigration to a 1000 per month (max).
b. Entree's must have U.S. Sponsor's to get in! And meet them at the crossing!
c. Also no Covid Shot's "you don't get in!" See how easy that is!
d, Also their Sponsor's must be U.S. Citizen's and held fully responsible for those they take in!
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Now that's as simple as I can make it. It also used to be they had to have special trade before they could enter our country.
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Boats

ps: I've not heard back from our Senator's in office - I may never hear from them?