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"To understand Poland you must understand Frederic Chopin" (Stratfor Friedman) [74]
Where Friedman is wrong:
From the point of view of Germans - and the least interesting views are expressed by the increasingly weak elite
Crap! The EU is darn good for german interests! We are an export nation which flourishes on open borders, free movement, one currency!
Most of our export is with the EU...it's been GREAT for Germany!
But the period in which EU subsidies will flow into Poland is coming to an end, and problems with Poland's retirement system are looming.
Only if they mess it up...doesn't look like it now.
I completely agreed that the Germans do not covet Polish sovereignty. I also said that intentions don't matter.
But what else does?
Yes, I know that neither Germany nor Russia intends Poland harm. But an elephant doesn't necessarily plan to harm a mouse. Intentions aside, the mouse gets harmed.
What crap! What is he implying here? Poland the mouse is doomed whatever the neighbours do?
Just because they exist??? What does he mean with "harmed".
If Germany bets wrong on the European Union, it will survive. Will Poland?
More crap!
He likes to swallow in misty descriptions...what does he mean with "surviving".
Finally, the Poles must maintain their relationship with the global hegemon.
And out comes the american nationalists! We are leaving the time of the US as the global
hegemon...he seems to deny/ignore that development too!
But in the end, the United States has fought three times in the 20th century to prevent a German-Russian entente and the domination of Europe by one power
Absolutely crap on all counts!!!
This man is ridicoulous.
WWI was fought on behalf of GB and is seen as a big stupidity now by most. Also Germany
and Russia had been enemies then, no entente.
WWII was fought against the Nazis after they declared war on them. Russia had been
allies...no Russian-German entente then either!
He should read up about the most recent NATO summit in Lisbon where Russia is no longer the enemy but a partner and big cooperations are subscribed.
Also the US can very well live with a dominant power in Europe as long as this power is another democratic country. Or as Kissinger once asked so famously for a phone number to call in all things Europe.
They have no problem with a number in Berlin at all!
The Germans and Russians are not monsters at the moment, nor do they want to be. But as Chopin makes clear.
Well...then what about your USA, dear Mr. Friedman. If you believe countries are beings which can't help themselves and are victims of a certain fate you surely would agree that the US can become a monster too, regardless of it's intentions...
Crap!
