“Jared Kushner Presents Plan for ‘New Gaza’”

JTA wrote on January 22:

“Jared Kushner presented a phased vision for the future of Gaza at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, saying that there was ‘no plan B’ when it comes to reconstructing the territory battered during the two-year war between Israel and Hamas… The 20-point vision… reflects elements of that ceasefire deal, which has been only partially implemented. It calls for… moving steadily northward until the entire Palestinian territory has been rebuilt, to include a seaport, airport and tourism infrastructure… [Not quite the Riviera of his father-in-law, but close.] 

“Kushner said the most important step is to disarm Hamas, which still controls a portion of Gaza. Emphasized that reconstruction will take place only in portions of Gaza where Hamas is demilitarized, he said some Hamas members who agree to lay down their arms will be given amnesty and could become part of a new security apparatus in Gaza. 

“Kushner suggested that he understood that his vision, which would take many years and at least $25 billion to implement, could encounter obstacles… 

“Kushner’s presentation came as Trump held a ‘signing ceremony’ for his new ‘Board of Peace,’ an entity devised initially to oversee Gaza but whose mandate Trump has indicated could include other world conflicts. (Its charter does not mention Gaza specifically.) Of the 60 countries that the United States invited to join, representatives from about 20 attended the ceremony, including Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Argentina’s Javier Milei and officials from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

“Orban was the only European leader present [Bulgaria was also represented]; other European countries have turned down the invitation to join the board or expressed concerns about its composition — potentially to include Russia — and potential to undercut other international bodies, about which Trump has expressed disdain. 

“Israel also did not have a representative at the ceremony. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel would join despite misgivings about the presence of Turkey and Qatar, which have backed Hamas, on the board. Netanyahu is not in Davos (Switzerland is party to the International Criminal Court, which has issued a warrant for his arrest) but Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who is present, did not attend.” 

This peace plan and the new Board of Peace are all destined to fail. 

Military Alliance Between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus 

Handelsblatt reported on December 28: 

“Greece, Cyprus, and Israel are deepening their partnership. High-ranking military officials from the three countries signed a joint action plan for military cooperation last week in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia. Political observers see the rapprochement between the three countries as a response to Turkey’s increasingly aggressive behavior in the region. 

“Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is in dispute with Greece and Cyprus over territorial rights and economic zones in the eastern Mediterranean. In Israel, there is particular concern about Turkey’s military presence in Syria… Against the backdrop of growing tensions between Turkey and Israel, military cooperation is now coming to the forefront.

“In Syria, the two countries are in direct confrontation. There, Turkey is attempting to gain political and military influence following the fall of the Assad regime. An Israeli government commission warned earlier this year that a Syria supported by Turkey could pose a greater threat than Iran.

“Concern is also growing in Athens. Turkish drones, as well as fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, have repeatedly violated Greek airspace in recent weeks.  Although both countries are formally allies within NATO, this has not ended the rivalries that have been simmering for decades…” 

“Today’s Israel, Greece, and Cyprus were part of the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years… Israel also strictly rejects the participation of Turkish soldiers in the planned Gaza peacekeeping force – due to the close ties between the Turkish government and Hamas, which Erdogan describes as a ‘liberation movement’.” 

Frosty Relationship Between Canada and USA 

Politico wrote on January 23: 

“President Donald Trump revoked Canada’s invitation to participate in his ‘Board of Peace’ initiative, in the latest blow to the increasingly frosty relations between the North American neighbors… ‘Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,’ Carney said earlier Thursday [responding to Trump’s slur in Davos.] 

“The withdrawn invitation deepens the fracture in the relationship between Trump and Carney, who stood with other NATO allies in opposition to the president’s campaign to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark… 

“… many Western allies have yet to sign on, and France and the United Kingdom have said they will not participate in the plan. Yvette Cooper, the U.K.’s top diplomat, cited Trump’s invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the reason the U.K. won’t sign on.” 

To invite Putin to the Board is perceived to be an incredible affront to all of Europe (except for Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban). 

Trump Threatens Canada 

The Associated Press wrote on January 24: 

“President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if America’s northern neighbor went ahead with its China trade deal… Trump initially said that agreement was what Carney ‘should be doing and it’s a good thing for him to sign a trade deal.’… 

“Trump’s threat came amid an escalating war of words with Carney as the Republican president’s push to acquire Greenland strained the NATO alliance. Trump had commented while in Davos, Switzerland, this week that ‘Canada lives because of the United States.’ Carney shot back that his nation can be an example that the world does not have to bend toward autocratic tendencies. 

“Trump later revoked his invitation to Carney to join the president’s ‘Board of Peace’ that he is forming to try to resolve global conflicts. Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has come after he has repeatedly needled Canada over its sovereignty and suggested it also be absorbed into the United States as a 51st state. 

“He resumed that rhetoric this week, posting an altered image on social media showing a map of the United States that included Canada, Venezuela, Greenland, and Cuba as part of its territory. In his message Saturday, Trump continued his provocations by calling Canada’s leader ‘Governor Carney.’… 

“Carney has emerged as a leader of a movement for countries to find ways to link up and counter the U.S. under Trump…. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day.

About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, as are 85% of U.S. electricity imports. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum, and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security.” 

Canada could become unpleasant for the USA. In Europe, Carney is praised as a hero for his stance against Trump. 

Canada Preparing for US Invasion 

Financial Post wrote on January 20: 

“Canada’s military has modelled [a] hypothetical U.S. invasion, reports say. ‘Canada will never be the 51st state,’ [Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita] Anand said.” 

Obviously, Canada is taking Trump’s threats quite seriously. 

Invading Canada? 

The Guardian wrote on January 27: 

“First, American forces would strike with poison gas munitions, seizing a strategically valuable port city. Soldiers would sever undersea cables, destroy bridges and rail lines to paralyze infrastructure. Major cities on the shores of lakes and rivers would be captured in order to blunt any civilian resistance. The multipronged invasion would rely on ground forces, amphibious landing and then mass internments. According to the architects of the plan, the attack would be short-lived and the besieged country would fall within days.

“The target was Canada, part of a classified 1930 strategy – War Plan Red – for a hypothetical war with Great Britain where the US would seek to deny it any foothold in North America. But the invasion plans, once dismissed as a fumbling historical quirk, have taken on fresh relevance as the US pivots its foreign policy to an increasingly aggressive view of its ‘pre-eminence’ in the western hemisphere and turns its sights on both foes and allies.

“In early January, the fusion of economic nationalism and belligerent foreign policy championed by Donald Trump was on full display when his government ordered the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and the US president announced on social media the US would seize control of the South American country’s oil. Days after, both Trump and prominent officials spoke openly of using military force to invade and capture Greenland for its strategic position and its immense mineral wealth. In late January,…  Canada’s military had modelled a hypothetical invasion of Canada, suggesting guerrilla tactics, similar to those used to repel both Russian and US forces in Afghanistan, would supplant conventional war.

“… threats from Trump that he intends to annex Canada have rattled the country. Last year, Trump said the centuries-old border between the two nations was no more than an ‘artificially drawn line’ that, with force and persuasion, might be redrawn. ‘Somebody drew that line many years ago with, like, a ruler – just a straight line right across the top of the country,’ Trump told Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney – adding a unified continent was ‘the way it was meant to be’.

“On 20 January, Trump posted an altered image on his social media account that features the US flag covering Canada, Greenland and Venezuela. His comments, condemned by Canadian lawmakers, nonetheless exposed a deep and persistent anxiety that the country, despite decades of tight economic integration, remains vulnerable to US aggression.

“War Plan Red, first devised in 1927 and then approved in 1930, was drawn up amid fears from American military planners that Britain could launch a war against the US where Canada would be the most likely theatre for battle. US planners conceded that if they lost, Canada would​ ‘demand that Alaska be awarded to her’. But the plan highlighted both how Americans believed Canada… would fall quickly – and the broader flimsiness of political alliances… battle designs such as War Plan Red underscore fears within Canada of its continued vulnerability to US military action… Trump and his allies could deploy a sustained campaign to ‘demonize’ Canada by warning the 5,500-mile (8,850km) border has grown increasingly lawless and drugs are ‘pouring across’ in order to shift how Americans perceive of their northern neighbour…

“Last year, the then prime minister, Justin Trudeau, warned business leaders Trump’s threats to annex Canada were a ‘real thing’ and the president wanted to access the country’s critical minerals… A 2025 poll found that 43% of Canadians believed a military attack by the United States within five years was at least somewhat likely, with 10% deeming it highly likely or certain… “

Given subsequent events, a new poll would undoubtedly find that more than just 43% believe that a military attack by the USA is at least somewhat likely. 

“Europe Must ‘Play the Power Game’ with Trump Over Greenland” 

ABC News wrote on January 23, after Trump had announced the nebulous framework of an even more nebulous deal pertaining to Greenland: 

“Greenland is a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump’s second term has seen the president double down on his ambition to acquire the minerals-rich island — despite Danish and Greenlandic politicians repeatedly rebuffing him. Trump has suggested that U.S. sovereignty over Greenland is necessary to ensure American security and blunt Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic region. A 1951 defense agreement already grants the U.S. military access to Greenland, but Trump has suggested the accord is inadequate and has demanded ‘ownership.’… 

“[Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette] Frederikson said in a Thursday morning statement that Copenhagen ‘cannot negotiate on our sovereignty.’ Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said at a Thursday press conference… that they have some ‘red lines’ including territorial integrity, international law and sovereignty... 

“For [former Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe] Kofod… any deal should be twinned with a European show of force. ‘The first step is power,’ Kofod said. Trump may soften his attacks ‘if he sees that he will have all of Europe — including the U.K., France, Germany — against him, and they are ready to defend Greenland,’ Kofod said, plus if he sees that European ‘retaliation is so massive that it will hurt the U.S. economy and interests.’ ‘Trump plays with all the instruments he has. Europe has to learn to play the power game,’ Kofod said… 

“The turbulence will undermine European, American and collective NATO security, Kofod warned. ‘For the U.S. it’s also a big self-inflicted problem,’ he said. ‘But I don’t think Trump looks at the world like that. He  thinks that NATO is there, it’s important, but it’s not something you cannot live without, because you just can form another alliance.’” 

He already tried this with the Gaza Board of Peace, but that one will fail. Europe’s concerns that Trump may continue to try to acquire ownership of Greenland by whatever means continue. 

Europe’s Power in Relation to the USA 

Focus Online wrote on January 24: 

“In Davos, there were negotiations, attempts at appeasement, and ultimately a sigh of relief. FOCUS columnist Jan Fleischhauer asks why Europe once again forgets the power it actually holds in relation to the USA… 

“Fleischhauer reminds us that the EU is the largest economic area in the world. Larger than the USA, larger than China.  Nevertheless, it’s celebrated as a success if they simply manage to avoid being completely taken advantage of… 

“Fleischhauer considers this subservience unnecessary. Because Europe certainly has the means to exert pressure…” 

Schulz Interview with German Public Broadcaster ARD 

SWR reported on January 23: 

“The EU must act faster in the future.  Therefore, former European Parliament President Martin Schulz advocates that some countries should move ahead – if not all EU member states agree – or if countries like Hungary block decisions. He sees the trio of Germany, France, and Italy as an important driving force for Europe. Schulz emphasizes that Germany should effectively utilize the remaining time of French President Macron’s term to advance joint projects.  

“He believes Germany should also try to negotiate with the French about a European nuclear defense shield… Europeans should forge stronger economic and security alliances with democracies such as Canada and Australia in order to stand up to the current major powers and become more independent from the USA.” 

In particular Schulz said this: 

There should be no right of veto for all members.  Instead, decisions should be made by majority vote. At least nine countries can join together without the others being able to prevent it.  And if they want to do so. These could include: Germany, France, Italy, Poland, the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Spain, and the other founding members of the EU (Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands). 

He said that Europe must become independent of American military power, but that a European nuclear army is not possible without France. He emphasized that if one wants to, one can act very quickly. He also stated that people are afraid of war. When asked if he wanted to become chancellor, he gave only a vague answer. 

America’s Limited Support for Europe 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 24: 

“The US will concentrate mostly on protecting the homeland and combating the threat posed by China, while expecting allies to look after their own defense with reduced help from Washington, according to a strategy document released by the Pentagon on Friday… 

“The document describes Russia as ‘a persistent but manageable threat to NATO’s eastern members for the foreseeable future’ and calls on the US’s [European] NATO allies to ‘take the lead’ in defending Ukraine against Moscow’s invasion’ with critical but more limited US support.’’ 

npr added on January 24: 

“The Pentagon released a priority-shifting National Defense Strategy late Friday that chastised U.S. allies to take control of their own security and reasserted the Trump administration’s focus on dominance in the Western Hemisphere… 

“The 34-page document, the first since 2022, was highly political for a military blueprint, criticizing partners from Europe to Asia for relying on previous U.S. administrations to subsidize their defense. It called for ‘a sharp shift — in approach, focus, and tone’… 

“It capped off a week of animosity between President Donald Trump’s administration and traditional allies like Europe… As allies confront what some see as a hostile attitude from the U.S., they will almost certainly be unhappy to see that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s department will provide ‘credible options to guarantee U.S. military and commercial access to key terrain’… It specifically points to access to the Panama Canal and Greenland… Trump previously suggested that the U.S. should potentially consider retaking control of the Panama Canal and accused Panama of ceding influence to China… 

“In another example of offloading regional security to allies, the document says, ‘South Korea is capable of taking primary responsibility for deterring North Korea with critical but more limited U.S. support.’” 

Spain Demands European Army 

Euronews wrote on January 22: 

“The chief of Spain’s diplomacy, José Manuel Albares… called on Europe to take full control of its own security, arguing that the continent must move ‘towards a European army’… 

“‘… we need firstly a coalition of the willing of European security, secondly, an integration of our industries of defence and in the end a European army.’” 

Most Germans View Trump as a Threat 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 24: 

“A new nationwide poll of Germans shows that a large majority (61%) views US President Donald Trump as a threat to their country… 

“52% of respondents called on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his administration to take a harder line when dealing with the nation’s longtime ally…” 

Warning For World Cup Soccer Fans: Don’t Travel to America 

Fox News wrote on January 26: 

“Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says soccer fans should avoid traveling to the United States for the 2026 World Cup this summer… Blatter cited Mark Pieth, an anti-corruption expert and law professor [who] told soccer fans to, ‘Stay away from the USA!’… Pieth added in his interview: ‘… upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t please the officials, they’ll be put straight on the next flight home. If they’re lucky.’… 

“Trump’s stance toward Greenland has led to a call to boycott the World Cup this summer by German soccer federation executive Oke Göttlich… 

“‘The country itself is in a state of tremendous turmoil,’ [Pieth] said. ‘What we’re witnessing domestically — the marginalization of political opponents, the abuses by immigration authorities, and so on — doesn’t exactly entice a fan to travel there… Pieth believes the U.S. has become ‘increasingly authoritarian.’” 

According to Bild Online, dated January 26, Pieth also said that soccer fans could be deported to Middle America, and agents could confiscate their smartphones to see whether something negative had been written about Trump. This is clearly overblown, but it shows the growing antagonism of Europe towards Trump. 

Trust in USA Gone 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 23: 

“Though Trump backed down by the end of the day, his two weeks’ worth of assaults over Greenland have rattled European diplomatic officials like nothing in recent memory,.. The alarm blended with disappointment in their own leaders’ response. On Thursday, an E.U. official told HuffPost they compared most European countries’ approach to the president to the fable of the frog and the scorpion: Both die after the former foolishly trusts that the latter will not sting and paralyze him. The scorpion, the official noted, was at least clear about its toxic nature. 

“European institutions ‘don’t seem able to adapt to a world in which the U.S., that played such a crucial role in European integration, not to mention NATO, may actually turn into a threat,’ said Nathalie Tocci, the director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome.  

“Philip Bednarczyk, an American who… works at the German Marshall Fund’s office in Poland… said this week led proponents of close ties with the U.S. in countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Poland to have ‘a painful recognition that we’re losing what we had.’ He expects pro-American voices in policymaking will lose out to rising anti-American sentiment…’” 

No More Trust 

Politico wrote on January 23: 

“Diplomats and officials now fear the breakdown in personal trust between European leaders and Trump has potentially grave ramifications… Given how unreliable Trump has been as an ally to Europe, officials are now privately asking what [Trump’s] guarantees are really worth… 

“While these leaders know they can no longer trust Trump’s America with Europe’s security, many of them lack the trust of their own voters to do what might be required instead.”  

Trump Destroys NATO and Britain Is Left Behind 

Daily Express published on January 24 the following article by Andrew Neil: 

“… the wiser Nato allies in Europe know there can be no return to business as usual – that we’ve reached a watershed in global politics. That the Atlantic Alliance will never be the same again. That America under Trump must be now be regarded as an unreliable and capricious ally — and at times (Ukraine, Greenland, tariffs) to behave as an enemy. That European Nato, along with Canada, has no time to waste in preparing for a new world order in which they no longer depend for security on the USA…

“This is a wake up call for the British Government, which should take stock… Britain is being left behind – and nothing will change under the current Government. Starmer has neither the vision nor aptitude to meet the challenge. His Labour Party is a prisoner to old ways of thinking and redundant priorities… Our politics dwells on the frivolous, the insignificant, the irrelevant – when what’s at stake is nothing less than national survival. Until we recognise that we cannot be regarded as a serious country.” 

Trump Causes More Outrage 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 23: 

“Keir Starmer led a chorus of fury against Donald Trump today after the president’s vile slur against British soldiers who fought and died in Afghanistan…. Politicians and military veterans reacted with outrage after the president told Fox News that Nato troops, including those from Britain, stayed ‘a little off the front lines’ during the war in Afghanistan. 

“Some [455] British service personnel were killed in the conflict in Afghanistan, fighting alongside the US, and countless more were severely wounded…. The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict [followed by Canada with 158 deaths]… The US saw [2,465] deaths. America’s allies suffered 1,160 deaths during the conflict – around a third of the total coalition deaths.” 

Trump Backs Down 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 24: 

“Donald Trump has paid tribute to the UK’s ‘great and very brave soldiers’ – after sparking fury with claims British troops dodged the Afghanistan front line. In a statement, the US President said: ‘The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors…’ 

“Earlier this week Mr Trump was accused of ‘trampling on the memories’ of Britain’s 457 war dead with his claim they had stayed ‘a little off the frontlines’. The President made no mention of the Danes or other NATO soldiers who died in the country.” 

Bowing to pressure and sharp criticism, including from King Charles, Keir Starmer, Rod Stewart, Prince Harry, Denmark, Germany and Poland, and many others, Trump backpedals, without apologizing. As mentioned above, he did not retract his defamation against other NATO soldiers who had died in Afghanistan, including those from Germany and Poland. 

Another Killing in Minnesota 

Focus reported on January 25: 

“Deadly shots fired at another opponent of the U.S. immigration authorities during an ICE operation in Minneapolis are fueling anger against President Donald Trump’s administration. The parents of the man who was shot accused the officers of killing their son, Alex Pretti, without legitimate reason. They accused Trump’s administration of spreading lies about the incident in the state of Minnesota. The Department of Homeland Security is portraying the case as self-defense on the part of the officer, but videos from the scene are fueling criticism of ICE raids against migrants and the heavy-handed tactics used against protesting civilians.  Earlier in January, when 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Good was shot and killed in her car during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, the government also described the action as self-defense by an officer whose life was in imminent danger. But in that case, too, videos painted a different picture…” 

“Several eyewitness videos of the incident on the street are circulating online, filmed from different perspectives. One of them, which the German Press Agency has verified, shows several masked individuals in tactical gear violently forcing a person to the ground and attempting to restrain him. This person is clearly Alex Pretti.  He is eventually surrounded by eight officers. Then shots are fired; judging by the sound, there are about ten shots… Even after the man is lying motionless on the ground, at least one of the masked individuals continues to shoot at him. 

“Regarding the question of whether Pretti was armed—he was, according to police, generally authorized to carry a firearm—the videos reviewed by dpa do not provide a clear answer. In one of the videos circulating on social media, it appears that ICE officers may have confiscated a pistol from him—but this was before the first shots were fired, which would further call into question the claim of an alleged imminent threat to the lives of the officers… 

“Since the US government and its subordinate agencies under Trump regularly spread false claims or at least selectively present the truth, many people no longer believe their statements.” 

This will continue. The next fatal shooting is inevitable. 

Trump Replaces Kristi Noem With Tom Homan! 

Daily Mail wrote on January 26: 

“Donald Trump has sidelined Kristi Noem and ordered her longtime rival [Tom Homan] to lead a rapidly deteriorating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis… Trump’s immigration crackdown plunged into yet another scandal on Saturday when ICE agents shot dead American citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse. 

“It came amid weeks of riots in Minneapolis following the killing of anti-ICE protester Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.  Republican lawmakers in Washington have raised concerns that Noem’s operation has spiraled out of control… Trump himself has privately expressed that Noem’s department mishandled the public messaging in the immediate aftermath of Pretti’s shooting… 

“Noem and Homan have battled for control of Trump’s mass deportation agenda from the start of the administration. Under Noem’s leadership, non-law enforcement DHS officials have feuded with career ICE officers, who are loyal to Homan, over how to detain and deport illegal migrants.  

“Corey Lewandowski, a longtime Trump insider and Noem’s rumored lover, has publicly accused Homan of leaking to the Press and has sought to oust immigration officers close to the border czar. Homan now appears to have the President’s support after Trump appointed him to clean up the mess caused by Noem’s leadership in the Twin Cities.” 

Replacing “incompetent” Noem with “radical” Homan? Insofar as the power struggle between DHS and ICE is concerned, it reminds us of the power struggle between the SA (Sturmabteilung)  and the SS (Schutzstaffel) in Hitler’s Germany. Noem, Miller and Bovino immediately justified the horrible shooting of Alex Pretti as self-defense, misrepresented the facts, and labeled the victim as a domestic terrorist. Even the IRA objected to such classification. 

Noem Demanded Meeting With Trump 

The New York Post wrote on January 27: 

“Noem demanded a two-hour meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office late Monday after she was elbowed aside amid backlash over her handling of the latest deadly shooting in Minneapolis by ICE agents… Numerous videos… showed the ICU nurse only holding a cellphone and trying to get away from the agents… 

“Trump… didn’t suggest Noem’s job was on the line during the sit-down, sources told the outlet.” 

In fact, according to Fox News, dated January 27, Trump said that Noem is doing a “great job.” This is not very promising. 

Daily Mail added on January 27: 

“Video showed eight agents surrounding Pretti and tackling him to the ground. The nurse, who was carrying a licensed firearm, appeared to have been disarmed before he was shot ten times in less than five seconds. 

Demonstrating Peacefully? 

Fox News wrote on January 27: 

“Melania Trump called for national unity Tuesday as tensions remain high following the fatal shootings of two civilians by federal agents in Minneapolis. ‘We need to unify… I know my husband, the president, had a great call yesterday with the governor [Tim Walz] and the mayor [Jacob Frey], and they’re working together to make it peaceful and without riots,’ Mrs. Trump said…  ‘I’m against violence so, please, if you protest, protest in peace.’” 

What about “peaceful” conduct of brutal ICE and DHS agents??? 

Gregory Bovino Out? 

The Atlantic wrote on January 26: 

“Gregory Bovino has been removed from his role as Border Patrol ‘commander at large’ and will return to his former job in El Centro, California, where he is expected to retire soon, according to a DHS official and two people with knowledge of the change… 

“For the past seven months, Bovino has been the public face of a traveling immigration crackdown on cities governed by Democrats. Noem and other Trump officials gave Bovino the ‘commander’ title and sent him and his masked border agents to Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans, and then Minneapolis. Bovino… traveled the country with his own film crew and used social media to hit back at Democratic politicians and random critics online. Veteran ICE and CBP officials grew more and more uneasy as Bovino worked outside his agency’s chain of command and appeared to relish his role as a political actor.”  

The White House disputed that Bovino, a close ally of Noem, was relieved of his duties, calling him a “great American,” but did not deny that he would leave Minneapolis. Bovino’s actions and conduct have been highly controversial. He even called the agents “victims” who shot Pretti on January 24. Bovino has found in November by a court to have lied dealing with his conduct against demonstrators. He has been nicknamed “little Napoleon.” He liked to dress in a Nazi-like outfit, being described by Der Spiegel as looking like “an elegant SS officer.” He has been nicknamed by some as “Gestapo Greg.” He has warned that those who compare him and his methods with the Gestapo will have to face consequences. 

“Being Incited Into Civil War”? 

Newsweek wrote on January 26: 

“Former U.S. representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has warned that Americans are being ‘incited into civil war,’  following the death of Alex Pretti… 

“Writing on X, Greene… urged people from both sides of the political spectrum ‘to take off their political blinders’ and appeared to ask her supporters to question the events.”

Greene might have a point. 

Trump’s Watershed Moment 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 28: 

“For all presidents there comes an event that history will record as the tipping point moment of their administration. Joe Biden’s was when he disastrously withdrew US troops from Afghanistan seven months into his presidency, and his poll numbers never recovered. Jimmy Carter was torpedoed by his inability to solve the Iran hostage crisis. George W. Bush’s popularity never rebounded after Hurricane Katrina. 

“Now, Donald Trump is facing his own reckoning as his approval rating sinks to a record low following the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by immigration officers in Minneapolis. 

“An exclusive Daily Mail/JL Partners poll shows Trump at 45 percent approval, his equal worst ever showing in the survey…  It reveals 55 percent of Americans now disapprove of his overall performance. Worst of all for Trump, immigration, his signature issue for the last decade, is now proving to be an albatross around his neck, one of the areas where he has least support. Just 39 percent approve of his handling of the issue, with 47 percent disapproving.  

“According to the Daily Mail poll, 53 percent of voters say the chaos in Minneapolis has been a ‘turning point’ moment for them personally. That includes 39 percent of Republicans. It marks, without question, a key watershed in his presidency…. 

“The zealousness with which ICE has pursued its mission is now the number one driver of disapproval of the president, the Daily Mail poll revealed…  there has been a constant deluge of news reports about undocumented foreign nannies and gardeners being arrested by masked and heavily armed ICE operatives, culminating in the disaster that has now engulfed Minneapolis….  the Daily Mail poll shows America holds him responsible for events in Minneapolis…. ICE itself was viewed favorably by only 32 percent, and unfavorably by 55 percent… 

“Beyond ICE and Minneapolis, there is a wider problem too. Trump is struggling on all issues, according to the poll. Only 36 percent of Americans approve of his handling of the economy, with 51 percent disapproving. Even less, 33 percent, approve of his efforts to tackle inflation, with 53 percent disapproving. 

“Just 31 percent approve on healthcare, with 49 percent disapproval. Foreign policy – where he has focused much of his time – stands at 36 percent approval and 47 percent disapproval…. 

“Republicans face losing control of the House [during the Midterm elections], leaving Trump fighting an uphill battle for the final two years of his presidency, along with the possibility of being impeached for a third time.” 

While prior impeachments were doomed to fail, due to the strictly political nature of the allegations and the absence of judicial violations, this time around may be different, as an impeachment for some of Trump’s perceived illegal actions might very well be justified.   

A Fourth Term? 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 23: 

“Donald Trump on Thursday reignited speculation about serving beyond January 2029, when his second term in office is due to end. Posting on his Truth Social platform, the president wrote: ‘RECORD NUMBERS ALL OVER THE PLACE! SHOULD I TRY FOR A FOURTH TERM?’… 

“It is unclear what Trump exactly meant by a ‘fourth’ term. The remark could reference his… claim that he won the 2020 election against Joe Biden… [or] it could suggest a bid to serve two additional terms.” 

“Record numbers all over the place”? Trump is really hallucinating. So is J.D. Vance. Note the next article. 

J.D. Vance’s Titanic 

Yahoo! News wrote on January 23: 

“JD Vance needed an analogy for the Trump economy and landed on… the Titanic. The vice president, 41, got mocked relentlessly on social media after making a head-scratching metaphor in a speech intended to tout the Trump administration’s economic policies. 

As he stood in front of a massive banner that promised “lower prices” and “bigger paychecks” in the manufacturing town of Toledo, Ohio, Vance blamed the affordability crisis—once dismissed as a ’hoax’ by President Donald Trump—on the Biden administration… ‘You don’t turn the Titanic around overnight. It takes time to fix what was broken.’” 

Of course, the Titanic was never “fixed.” The “indestructible” ship sank in 1912 after it struck an iceberg, leaving over 1,500 passengers dead.  However, Vance’s analogy inadvertently and unintentionally told the Truth: America, the Titanic, will not be fixed, but it will go down.   

The Coming Storm With Iran 

The Sun wrote on January 23: 

“IRAN has issued a chilling threat to Donald Trump after he ordered a military armada towards the Ayatollah’s regime and warned that Washington was ‘watching’… 

“A top Khamenei crony said on Friday that the mullahs may target US-linked investments in the Middle East – if Trump were to step in and strike Iran… Ayatollah henchman Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari said: ‘The one trillion dollars you have invested in the region is under the watch of our missiles.’… 

“Fears that the Iranian regime is still killing protesters under the guise of a total internet blackout are resurfacing. President Trump said he had received assurances that the killing had stopped earlier this month, but speculation is mounting that Supreme Leader Khamenei may continue executing civilians. Iran’s top prosecutor even denied claims that Iran had permanently called off some 800 executions – as Trump had previously claimed.” 

The Mother of All Deals 

npr wrote on January 27: 

“After nearly two decades of negotiations, India and the European Union announced Tuesday they have reached a free trade agreement to deepen economic and strategic ties. The accord, which the EU chief described as the ‘mother of all deals,’ could affect as many as 2 billion people. The deal between two of the world’s biggest markets comes as Washington targets both India and the EU with steep import tariffs, disrupting established trade flows and pushing major economies to seek alternate partnerships. ‘This agreement will bring major opportunities for the people of India and Europe,’ India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a virtual address to an energy conference. ‘It represents 25% of the global GDP and one-third of global trade.’

“The accord will see free trade on almost all goods between the 27 members of the EU and India, covering everything from textiles to medicines and bringing down high import taxes for European wine and cars… India is expected to reduce or eliminate tariffs for 96.6% of EU exports, while Brussels will reciprocate with similar reductions in phases that eventually cover nearly 99% of India’s shipments by trade value…” 

Germany and Italy Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 23: 

“Germany and Italy are deepening defense and economic cooperation with the leaders of the two countries signing an agreement in Rome. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed on closer cooperation in the production of drones, naval vessels, underwater systems and air and missile defense systems. 

“The leaders are also looking to collaborate in the development of electronic warfare and aerial combat defense systems.”

The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) added on January 23: 

“The Italy-Germany partnership could knock down the barriers that are holding Europe back… Today’s meeting in Rome marked a qualitative shift from alignment to structured co-governance… This sends a signal that Italy and Germany intend to shape the European defence pillar together rather than merely contribute to it separately.” 

More than 20 ministers from Italy and Germany met in Rome to discuss the implementation of the signed agreements. It reminds us somewhat of the infamous “Pact of Steel” between Italy and Germany which was signed in Berlin on May 22, 1939, declaring cooperation concerning the military and the economy.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:  

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Trump’s Tariffs For Countries Supporting Greenland 

Yahoo! Finance wrote on January 17:

“President Trump said the US would implement 10% tariffs on eight European countries he says are getting in the way of a US purchase of Greenland. [He specified that the tariffs are imposed on those countries that have sent military forces to Greenland]. The tariffs would begin Feb. 1 and apply to ‘any and all goods sent to’ the US. 

“The levies on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland would be raised to 25% on June 1 if no agreement is in place.” 

The small contingent of troops sent by Europeans to Greenland had only a symbolic character to underscore Europe’s commitment to Greenland. In the meantime, waffling Germany withdrew its small contingent, saying that they had fulfilled their commission of observing the situation. However, it is clear that Trump is using tariffs as blackmail and coercion. Sadly, the US Supreme Court has still not issued a ruling on the legality of such tariffs. Trump speaks of purchasing Greenland but knows that Denmark and Greenland will not agree to a purchase; so he is really talking about military acquisition. Trump is making his European “allies” very angry. Has the time come for the prophesied lasting final separation? 

Trump’s Punitive Tariffs Are “Grotesque” 

Die Welt wrote on January 17: 

“The new punitive tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump are meeting with massive criticism in the German business community.  Associations are warning of an escalation of the trade dispute and calling for a united response from the EU… ‘The announcement of new US tariffs on certain European countries is grotesque,’ said the president of the German Foreign Trade Association (BGA), Dirk Jandura. 

‘The US is punishing participants in a NATO operation; that is simply inconceivable. This marks a new low point in American-European trade relations.’  He added that Germany continues to stand by Denmark, and that democracy and freedom cannot be wiped away with punitive tariffs.” 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump’s threat to impose tariffs over Greenland is “completely wrong.” Reform leader Nigel Farage said: “We don’t always agree with the US government and in this case we certainly don’t.”  

Trump a Threat to NATO 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 17:

“Most Germans believe US President Donald Trump’s policies are putting the NATO alliance at risk, according to a new poll. Some 78% of respondents to the ZDF Politbarometer survey said Trump’s approach endangers the alliance… The survey comes as Trump presses US claims over Greenland… 

“The poll also asked how the European Union should respond if the US were to intervene militarily… A clear majority of 69% said the EU should oppose such actions…” 

What needs to be realized is that Trump really wants to leave NATO. So the Greenland debacle might be a welcome excuse for him to do so—or forcing Europe to kick the USA out.

“IF US Goes Extreme, Europe Will Go Extreme”

Newsbreak wrote on January 4: 

“Harald Viereck Fehlinger, an Austrian political activist associated with an unofficial NATO enlargement advocacy group, issued a stark warning to the United States over its stated interest in acquiring Greenland, threatening the removal of American military forces and bases from Europe if such a move were to occur… 

“According to Fehlinger, the loss of these bases would dismantle the foundation of American power projection in Europe that has existed since World War II. He argued that Europe could defend itself without U.S. troops, without the American nuclear umbrella, and without U.S. military infrastructure on the continent. He further claimed that U.S. forces would be expelled and sent back to the United States, ending America’s military footprint in Europe… 

“Fehlinger’s statements do not reflect official European policy, they underscore the severity of the rhetoric emerging around Greenland and highlight how the dispute has escalated into open threats against long-standing U.S. military arrangements in Europe.” 

Those words would have never been spoken just a few months ago.

Macron Warns Trump 

Express wrote on January 15: 

“Emmanuel Macron has issued a stern warning to Donald Trump, cautioning that any breach of Greenland’s sovereignty would trigger ‘unprecedented cascading consequences’ for the transatlantic alliance. The statement represents the strongest European pushback yet to Mr Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric, which has evolved from diplomatic interest to explicit threats of military action. 

“The US President has recently ramped up his language significantly, suggesting that the United States will acquire the island either ‘the easy way or the hard way,’ a characterization that has rattled European capitals… 

“French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot… emphasized: ‘Greenland does not want to be owned, governed… or integrated into the United States. Greenland has made the choice of Denmark, NATO, and the European Union.’” 

European countries are uniting in their opposition to Trump’s “autocratic” and “threatening” conduct. 

Stephen Miller’s Bizarre Thinking 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 17: 

“The White House deputy chief of staff [Stephen Miller] argued that America has a right to Greenland because ‘tiny’ Denmark can’t defend its territory against U.S. military force.” 

What kind of twisted and despicable Hitler-like “logic” is that?

Greenland Saga Far From Over 

Bild Online reported on January 17: 

“The Greens are demanding a unified response from the European Union to US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats against Germany and other European countries in the Greenland conflict. 

“‘The EU must not back down now in the face of Trump’s tariff threats,’ said parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge in Berlin. ‘A clear message must be sent to Trump that the EU will respond to tariff threats with retaliatory tariffs.’… 

“The CDU foreign policy expert and the Union’s rapporteur for North America and the Arctic, Peter Beyer (55)… [said:] ‘This looks like a typical Trump maneuver: He’s applying maximum pressure, he wants a deal. But my transatlantic heart bleeds when I see that in these times we almost have to be glad when it’s only about punitive tariffs from Washington.’” 

But it won’t stay there. This is going to escalate. 

Trump Continues to Provoke and Attack 

Mediaite wrote on January 20: 

“The president [shared] an AI-produced image of him presenting a doctored map of the Western Hemisphere – showing Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela all under a U.S. flag — to European leaders gathered in the Oval Office… Another image showed him planting a U.S. flag on Greenland while flanked by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with a sign that read ‘Greenland — U.S. Territory Est. 2026.’… He closed the barrage by attacking Britain over the ‘GREAT STUPIDITY’ of its decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, lashing out at plans to transfer Diego Garcia, home to a major US military base… 

“Trump went further, citing the move as ‘another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.’ … The intervention reportedly blindsided London, not least because Trump’s own secretary of state, Marco Rubio, previously welcomed the Chagos deal, calling it ‘a critical asset for regional and global security’ and praising its role in safeguarding the base for decades.” 

According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump told him personally that he approved of the Chagos deal. 

Trump Won’t Use Force to Acquire Greenland? 

Newsmax wrote on January 21: 

“President Donald Trump said Wednesday he wants negotiations to acquire Greenland, portraying the effort as a strategic necessity while insisting he does not want to use military force. ‘People thought I would use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,’ Trump said in remarks to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 

“Trump, however, also said on Wednesday that the United States will not forget the slight if a deal on Greenland is not reached. ‘So we want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it,’ he said. ‘We’ve never asked for anything else, and we could have kept that piece of land, and we didn’t. So [you] have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember.’ ‘All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland, where we already had it as a [territory] but respectfully returned it back to Denmark not long ago, after we defeated the Germans, the Japanese, the Italians, and others in World War II,’ said Trump. ‘We gave it back to them.’… 

“He used World War II to support his claim that Denmark could not defend Greenland and said the U.S. built bases there at significant cost. ‘We saw this in World War II when Denmark fell to Germany after just six hours of fighting and was totally unable to defend either itself or Greenland,’ Trump said… He said the U.S. should not have returned Greenland after the war… ‘After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that, but we did it. But we gave it back. But how ungrateful are they now?’” 

Welt Online added on January 21: 

“He then reprimanded Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The US has always been very generous to Canada, he said. Despite this, Carney hadn’t shown much gratitude in his Davos speech. ‘Canada exists because of the United States, remember that, Mark, the next time you speak,’ Trump said. The US president has repeatedly expressed his desire to annex Canada as another federal state…” 

Trump’s Big Greenland Defeat?

USA Today wrote on January 21:

“Donald Trump said he’s holding off on imposing tariffs he threatened on eight European nations after securing the ‘framework of a future deal’ with NATO involving Greenland and ‘the entire Arctic region…’ ‘This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,’ Trump said…

“Details of the potential deal were not immediately clear. In his post, Trump made no mention of the United States acquiring Greenland, a territory of Denmark that he’s repeatedly said the United States needs for security purposes. He instead referenced additional discussions over his planned $175 billion air defense system known as the ‘Golden Dome.’…

“He declined to lay out the full details but suggested Greenland would be part of the Golden Dome and that the U.S. would acquire mineral rights in Greenland… Trump said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will be involved in future negotiations over Greenland and the Golden Dome.’”

The Huffington Post wrote:

“After first threatening another trade war and then hinting at an actual one to wrest control of Greenland away from Denmark, President Donald Trump Wednesday backed down from all his threats and claimed victory… It is… unclear what a new agreement would offer the United States that it cannot already do under a 1951 treaty with Denmark about U.S. military installations there.”

The Sun added on January 21:

“DENMARK is reportedly set to keep control of Greenland under a Trump-backed framework as Europe takes a deep sigh of relief. But Nato chief Mark Rutte has warned negotiations remain ongoing with ‘more work to be done’ after the President publicly pushed to take control of the Arctic island…”

Der Stern wrote:

“When asked whether the deal was about acquiring Greenland, Trump simply told the US broadcaster CNBC that he didn’t want to comment on it at the moment and that it was ‘somewhat complex.’… According to a NATO spokeswoman, however, the actual discussions have yet to take place…”

Focus wrote:

“The Danish Foreign Minister did not comment on Trump’s statements about such an agreement… Lars Løkke Rasmussen declined to provide details. However, the minister made it clear: ‘The US will not acquire Greenland.’ He described Trump’s ambition in this regard as ‘wild fantasies.’”

Old Western Order Is History 

The Guardian wrote on January 15: 

“Donald Trump is threatening to take over Greenland, the territory of a Nato ally, possibly by military force, as Vladimir Putin is trying to take over Ukraine. Even if he doesn’t actually do it, this is a new era: a post-western world of illiberal international disorder… 

“All the signs are that Trump is going to get more extreme and unpredictable as time goes by and his domestic difficulties increase… 

“Europe – the US’s biggest single economic partner – should privately review the full range of economic responses (including, for example, selling off US Treasury bonds) it could make in the… event of Trump ordering a Putin-style military takeover of Greenland. The outline of these contingency plans could be discreetly conveyed to the White House via US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent or presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner. There are doubtless other possible moves, but the general thrust is clear: a Europe (and Canada, and other liberal democracies) projecting quiet strength, power and resolve.” 

Far Right European Parties Distance Themselves From Trump 

Politico wrote on January 16: 

“Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has long sought close ties to the Trump administration in its quest for powerful international allies and an end to its political isolation at home. But as public sentiment in Germany increasingly turns against U.S. President Donald Trump and his foreign interventionism…, AfD leaders are recalibrating, putting distance between their party and a U.S. president they previously embraced. 

“By distancing themselves from Trump, the AfD leaders are following the path of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally in France, whose leaders, due to the American president’s deep unpopularity there, have been far more critical of Trump and view his administration’s overtures to European nationalists as a liability… 

“The AfD’s criticism this week, by contrast, was tepid… But the political risks inherent in the AfD’s efforts to ally with Trump are also becoming clearer. Surveys show the vast majority of Germans strongly oppose what Trump has said about Greenland and what he has done in Venezuela. Only 12 percent of Germans view his performance positively… while only 15 percent see the U.S. as a trustworthy partner, a new low.”

Trump Sees No Longer Obligation to Bring Peace 

The New York Post wrote on January 19: 

“President Trump has warned America’s European allies ‘I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace’ after he missed out on last year’s Nobel Prize amid a new round of threats to annex Greenland… 

“‘Dear Jonas,’ reads the message…  ‘Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land [Greenland] from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also,’ Trump goes on…

“Despite the president’s complaints…, the Norwegian government has no role in awarding the Nobel Peace Prize, which is done by an independent committee… Trump campaigned hard for the Peace Prize and received public nominations from several world leaders — though the annual nominating deadline of Jan. 31 precluded him from receiving the award for most actions during the first year of his second term in office.” 

Newsmax wrote on January 19, 2025 

“Danish sovereignty over the vast, mineral-rich island is documented in a series of binding legal instruments including a treaty ⁠agreed in 1814. ​

“The U.S. has repeatedly recognized that Greenland ‍is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.” 

When asked whether he would seize Greenland by force, Trump responded, “No comment.” 

His justification to acquire (conquer) Greenland as a reason for not getting the Peace Prize has  been roundly condemned on US Social Media. Trump’s letter has been described by commentators as “deranged,” “insane”, and “unhinged crazy talk.” The Daily Beast wrote on January 19: 

“Even by Trump’s standards, this letter is so dangerous and so delusional that there is no longer any question that the president is mentally ‘unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,’ as laid out in the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. It is clearly not rational to start a war because your feelings got hurt by not winning a prize that you were not even eligible for.” 

At the same time, Russia is celebrating the “collapse of NATO.” 

Trump Managed to Combine His Three Least Popular Policies: Greenland, Canada and Tariffs 

The Independent wrote on January 19: 

“… his [tariff] threats [against European countries] come despite being one of his most unpopular policies with voters at home and abroad. Trump’s comments are just the latest sign that the United States can no longer be considered a reliable partner for its European partners… 

“While Trump continues to push his idea of the U.S. taking Greenland, voters remain opposed… Now, Trump is trying to couple Greenland with another one of his favorite terms – tariffs – despite poor polling… 

“In the same token, NBC News reported that Trump is now fretting about Canada and its supposed vulnerabilities to Russia and China. It comes after a reprieve from Trump’s threats last year about turning Canada into the ‘51st state.’ 

“But there is just one problem: all of these measures are incredibly unpopular. In fact, the president has figured out how to merge three of the least popular parts of his agenda to create a… policy that will alienate most of the American electorate eleven months before the 2026 midterm elections…

“The Wall Street Journal’s poll released this weekend found that his approval on both the economy and tariffs are at a negative ten percent. And this does not begin to talk about how unpopular taking Greenland is… There is also not much support for taking control of Canada. Only 22 percent of Americans support taking control of Canada and only 4 percent support using military force against Canada. 

“The CBS News/YouGov poll also found that 86 percent of Americans opposed using military force to take Greenland, with 70 percent of Republicans disapproving of the idea. In addition, 69 percent of Americans thought that taking Greenland by military force would cause the United States to leave NATO, even though 54 percent thought it would give the country access to needed resources…” 

Trump’s desire to annex Canada is not going away. And, this article does not even include Trump’s highly unpopular immigration policy. 

A Stretch Too Far?

MSN wrote on January 19: 

“President Trump may be overplaying his hand in negotiations for Greenland, economists are warning, after the Oval Office threatened new tariffs on E.U. countries if they did not support America’s demand to purchase the territory… 

“Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid… wrote in a note to clients this morning. ‘The main Achilles Heel of the U.S. is the huge twin deficits. So while in many ways it feels like the U.S. holds the economic cards, it doesn’t hold all the funding cards in a world that will be very disturbed by the weekend’s events.’ 

“Investors, analysts, and world leaders have long wondered when—or if—a debt crisis would occur in one of the nations burdened by a massive deficit. While the likes of Japan, the U.K., and France are by no means balancing their books, America’s $38 trillion deficit dwarfs its counterparts. While a great deal of that debt is held by the public (including the Fed, where President Trump is also in hot water), vast sums are also owned by foreign governments and overseas investors… 

“Europe being America’s largest lender ‘illustrates the deep interdependence between the U.S. and Europe but also shows that, at least theoretically, Europe also has leverage on the U.S.,’ wrote Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro, and Bert Colijn, chief economist for the Netherlands.”

Sooner or later, Europe will use that leverage on the USA. 

“Germany-US Rift Is Looming After a Year of Trump” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 19: 

“The second term of US President Donald Trump has brought unprecedented strain on once-solid German-American relations. The issue of Greenland could be a tipping point… ‘This is a really dramatically tense time. Rachel Tausendfreund, an American researcher at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), told DW. ‘Germany is wondering right now if it has to be preparing for an attack by its most important NATO ally. In that sense, the relationship has never been worse…’ 

“Johannes Varwick, Professor of International Relations at the University of Halle, thinks that a takeover of Greenland ‘would indeed be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. I believe that the trust relationship with the US would probably be irrevocably broken…’ 

“Trump… has… disregarded almost all previously held beliefs regarding the close partnership… Varwick said: ‘The only thing that really, if ever, could make an impression [with Trump], is a truly united European position. Friedrich Merz is working on that, but the European countries have hugely differing interests.’.. 

“The German government seems clueless as to how it can, on one hand, keep Trump on board in the quest for peace in Ukraine and as a protector of Europe and, on the other, remain true to its self-proclaimed values: adherence to international law and a rules-based international order… 

“Varwick… sees turbulent times ahead for Germany because with Trump, imperialism and the ‘might makes right’ approach have returned. ‘That is, of course, very, very bad news for Germany…’ 

“Merz invited Trump to Germany when relations were already very tense, but long before the latest escalation over Greenland. Under current circumstances, it seems almost unthinkable that Donald Trump would visit soon.” 

The current German government, under Merz, is indeed clueless. But a new government, as prophesied in the Bible, will change this. 

Europe to Divorce America? 

Politico wrote on January 19: 

“… for many European governments, including America’s longest-standing and most loyal allies, Trump’s threat of punitive tariffs against anyone who tries to stop him taking Greenland was the final straw. Divorce, they believe, is now inevitable. In private, dismayed European officials describe Trump’s rush to annex the sovereign Danish territory as ‘crazy’ and ‘mad,’ asking if he is caught up in his ‘warrior mode’ after his Venezuela adventure — and saying he deserves Europe’s toughest retaliation… 

“… diplomats and government officials in national capitals are also considering what a long-term split from Washington might bring… 

“European states, including those not in the EU like Britain and Norway, have spent much of Trump’s second term working in an increasingly effective group that already operates without America… National security advisers from 35 governments are in regular contact, meeting frequently online and in person, as well as interacting via less formal text messaging… Levels of trust in these circles are generally high… Nor is it just at the level of officials: National leaders are themselves rolling up their sleeves and working in intimate new groupings.  

“Leaders including the U.K.’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Alexander Stubb of Finland and Meloni of Italy regularly text with each other — often in the same group chat. Over the past year they have developed a well-drilled routine of exchanging messages whenever Trump does something wild and potentially damaging… 

“But Trump’s hell-raising over Greenland has now tipped the balance. Gone is the softly-softly approach to the American president’s threats… This format could potentially become the seedbed for a new security alliance in an era when the U.S. no longer supports NATO and European security.” 

Europe is secretly working on a new European alliance, without the USA. 

EU Army Without All 27 Member States 

Euractiv wrote on January 18: 

“Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has signalled he is ready to push ahead with a common European army and defence industry – even if not all EU members are on board. 

“‘Europe must move forward in its integration process and equip itself with a truly common defence. And for that we do not need the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states,’ he told Spanish daily La Vanguardia… 

“When asked whether EU leaders have discussed the idea of a smaller group of countries moving ahead independently on defence, Sánchez said they have – but only in an ‘abstract’ way.” 

The prophesied concept of a “core Europe” or a Europe with two speeds is again making a comeback.

Martin Schulz on Collision Course 

Bild Online wrote on January 19: 

“Former SPD leader Martin Schulz (70), once President of the European Parliament, has reacted to US President Donald Trump’s (79) plans for Greenland with a fierce attack… ‘He wants Europe to consist of vassal states that do what he says. If I can’t buy it, I’ll conquer it militarily. Today Venezuela belongs to us, tomorrow the whole world.’… 

“‘May the American voters prevent another one like Trump from coming along, this Vance or whatever his name is!… But I am allowed to say here that I consider him (Vance) a shady character.’”

Merz Sharply Criticizes Trump 

Die Welt reported on January 17: 

“At a CDU event in Baden-Württemberg, Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke with unusual frankness: The US course is developing ‘towards a purely power- and interest-driven policy.’ Germany must not become a pawn of the great powers, Merz warned…

“Merz is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the policies of US President Donald Trump and is calling for a more self-confident stance from the Europeans… Merz also apparently no longer expects any changes from Trump… If Trump simply continues his policies, ‘we mustn’t bury our heads in the sand and say we’ll just accept it all.’” 

Now Germany’s chancellor openly opposes Trump as well. But with indecisive Merz, nobody knows for sure what his next step will be, if any. 

Europe Wants to Normalize Relations With Russia 

Boltwise wrote on January 16: 

“In a remarkable diplomatic move, European leaders are signaling their willingness to intensify dialogue with Russia in order to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron have all spoken out in favor of direct talks with Moscow… 

“The Kremlin has reacted positively to the recent statements from Europe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the proposals from Paris, Rome, and Berlin are consistent with Russian interests. 

Merz also said that it is essential to find a way to reach a compromise with Russia. This is interesting in light of the developing alienation between Europe and the USA. 

EU and South America Join in Effort to Oppose Trump 

The Associated Press wrote on January 17: 

“The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday… to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world… 

“The signing ceremony in Paraguay’s capital, Asunción, marks a major geopolitical victory for the EU in an age of American tariffs and surging Chinese exports, expanding the bloc’s foothold in a resource-rich region… Mercosur consists of the region’s two biggest economies, Argentina and Brazil, as well as Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, the bloc’s newest member, can join the trade deal in the coming years. Venezuela has been suspended from the bloc and isn’t included in the agreement. 

“Promoted by South America’s renowned grass-fed cattle-raising countries and Europe’s industrial interests, the accord’s gradual elimination of more than 90% of tariffs creates one of the world’s largest free trade zones and makes shopping cheaper for more than 700 million consumers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who heads the EU’s executive branch, portrayed the deal as a bulwark against the disruptive policies of the Trump administration… 

“But even as the ink dried on Saturday, powerful protectionist lobbies in Europe were still hoping to prevent the agreement from clearing its one final hurdle: ratification by the European Parliament. France remains opposed to the accord, with President Emmanuel Macron worrying that farmers’ frustration with the EU could drive more voters to the country’s far right in the 2027 presidential election.” 

European members continue to be divided amongst themselves because of strictly national political ambitions (compare Daniel 2:42-44). 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 21: 

“The European Parliament voted narrowly to challenge the EU trade deal with Latin America in the bloc’s top court, a move that could derail the deal. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took to social media soon after news of the vote, calling the result ‘regrettable’ and saying it ‘misjudges the geopolitical situation… ‘We are convinced of the legality of the agreement. No more delays. The deal must now be implemented provisionally.’”  

Most Americans Oppose Trump 

ABC News reported on January 16: 

“A set of recently released polls found Americans largely at odds with the Trump administration and its defense of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot Minneapolis woman Renee Good…, 53% of registered voters saying the shooting of Good was not justified… 56% majority of Americans saying the shooting was an inappropriate use of force… About half (51%) said that the fatal shooting reflects bigger problems with the way ICE is operating… 51% of Americans saying ICE enforcement actions were making cities less safe… 

“Americans voiced little trust in the federal government to carry out a fair and thorough investigation of the shooting in Minneapolis, according to the CNN poll, with 62% saying they had just some or no trust at all… 

“57% of voters disapproving of how ICE is enforcing immigration laws… A 58% majority disapproves of how Trump is handling immigration… a slim 52% majority of Americans saying Trump’s efforts to deport immigrants living in the U.S. illegally have gone too far… 61% of Americans disapproving of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s handling of her job…” 

Trump will of course dismiss those numbers as being fake. However, they are not fake, but represent the reality that most Americans disapprove of Trump’s immigration policy. This is a bad sign for him when it comes to the midterm elections. Trump seems to recognize this himself, recently commenting that the pictures of the behavior of ICE agents on TV are bad. 

Trump’s Justice Department’s Investigation Against Minnesota Governor and Minneapolis Mayor 

npr wrote on January 16: 

“The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey… Frey said… on Friday: ‘This is an obvious attempt to intimidate me for standing up…’ 

“Walz… said: ‘Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.’” 

It is suspected that the investigation is aiming at alleged interference of ICE actions by the governor and the mayor. That would be difficult to maintain, as both asked the demonstrators to act peacefully (as Trump had asked the demonstrators on January 6, 2021, to act peacefully). A detailed analysis of all the available videos has shown that Good was not attempting to hit the agent or to run him over. Subsequently, the Justice Department issued subpoenas on Walz and Frey, among others. 

Canada and China Adopt Trade Deal in Defiance of Trump 

BBC News reported on January 16: 

“Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new approach to Canada’s foreign policy can perhaps be distilled in one line: ‘We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.’ That was his response when asked about the deal struck with China on Friday, despite concerns over its human rights record and nearly a year after he called China ‘the biggest security threat’ facing Canada. 

“The deal will see Canada ease tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles that it imposed in tandem with the US in 2024. In exchange, China will lower retaliatory tariffs on key Canadian agricultural products. Experts told the BBC the move represents a significant shift in Canada’s policy on China, one that is shaped by ongoing uncertainty with the US, its largest trade partner… Canada’s relationship with China, [Carney] added, had become ‘more predictable’ than its relationship with the US under the Trump administration…. 

“Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province is home to Canada’s auto sector, was sharply critical of the deal. He said removing EV tariffs on China ‘would hurt our economy and lead to job losses’… 

“Since taking office for a second time last year, Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian sectors like metals and automotives, which has led to swirling economic uncertainty. He has also threatened to rip up a longstanding North American free trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico, calling it ‘irrelevant’. That trade agreement, the USMCA, is now under a mandatory review. Canada and Mexico have both made clear they want it to remain in place. 

“But the decision to carve out a major new deal with China is a recognition by Carney that the future of North American free trade remains unclear…” 

How the world changed! A year ago, China was perceived as being the biggest security threat to Canada; now it seems to be the USA. This is also in light of the fact that Trump repeatedly demanded that Canada become the 51^st state of the USA—a demand which has been strongly rejected by the vast majority of Canadians. Similarities with the situation regarding Greenland are blatantly obvious. 

“Carney to Trump: Back Off on Greenland” 

Politico wrote on January 16: 

“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Friday that a decision on who owns Greenland doesn’t belong to U.S. President Donald Trump. ‘The future of Greenland is a decision for Greenland and for the Kingdom of Denmark,’ Carney told journalists at a press conference in Beijing following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

“Carney urged NATO allies including the U.S. to ‘respect their commitments’ as he stressed Canada’s support for Danish sovereignty over the strategically vital Arctic island, which Trump has threatened to seize. ‘We are NATO partners with Denmark, and so our full partnership stands,’ Carney said… ‘Our obligations on Article 5, Article 2 of NATO stand, and we stand full-square behind those.’ 

“… Carney said Greenland and Arctic sovereignty also featured in his discussions with Xi, adding that he ‘found much alignment of views in that regard.’” 

Of course, China would agree with Europe against Trump. 

Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza—Tony Blair Is On It 

Breitbart wrote on January 17: 

“US President Donald Trump on Friday gave a key role in post-war Gaza to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair… 

“Trump named [founding] members of a board to help supervise Gaza that was dominated by Americans, as he promotes a controversial vision of economic development in a territory that lies in rubble after two-plus years of relentless Israeli bombardment… 

“Trump has already declared himself the chair of a ‘Board of Peace’ and on Friday announced its full membership that will include Blair as well as senior Americans — Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff… 

“Blair is a controversial figure in the Middle East because of his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. … Trump… has previously mused about turning devastated Gaza into a Riviera-style area of resorts, although he has backed away from calls to forcibly displace the population. 

“Israel’s military said Friday it had again hit the Gaza Strip in response to a ‘blatant violation’ of the ceasefire declared in October. The strikes come despite Washington announcing that the Gaza plan had gone on to a second phase — from implementing the ceasefire to disarming Hamas, whose October, 2023 attack on Israel prompted the massive Israeli offensive.” 

Depending on how influential Blair will be, this could only spell disaster. In the meantime, Israel objected to the appointments, stating that the Gaza executive committee “was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy.” 

According to the New York Post, dated January 17, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the makeup of the body, which includes Turkey and Qatar, contradicts Israeli policy… National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, another key ally, rejected the entire framework, saying Gaza did not need an international body at all and called for a return to war.” 

Still, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday ‍accepted ‍President Donald ⁠Trump’s invitation to join the so-called “Board ​of Peace.” Germany, France, Norway and Sweden will not join. As a consequence, Trump threatened France with tariffs of about 200% for champagne. 

Also, incredibly, Trump demands one billion dollars to stay on his peace board.

Sanhedrin Calls For Building the Third Temple 

Israel 365 News reported on January 16: 

“The [Sanhedrin issued a declaration containing] a direct call to Iranian leadership: ‘We call upon the leaders of all the peoples in Iran to walk in the path of Cyrus, King of Persia, to support the building of the Temple on the Temple Mount, and even to ascend and pray there in the places designated for the descendants of Noah, ‘for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’ (Isaiah 56:7)… 

“The Sanhedrin was reconstituted in 2004 after nearly 1,600 years of absence. Its members believe the generation has arrived when prophecy will be fulfilled, and the Temple will be rebuilt. The declarations… are legal rulings with the force of biblical law, not suggestions. They represent the Sanhedrin’s assertion of its role as the supreme legal authority for the Jewish people…”  

And so, the Third Temple will be built soon. 

No Pressure on German Doctors Regarding Vaccinations? 

In our recent StandingWatch program, titled, “Germany’s Refusal to Accept Guilt for Authoritarian Corona Measures“, we quoted alarming statements of US Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr in regard to Germany’s refusal to guarantee doctors’ freedom of treatment. The German government denied those statements. However, the following developments support Kennedy’s conclusion: 

“Starting in 2026, doctors will have to meet certain vaccination quotas to receive the full retainer fee, with a minimum of 10 vaccinations per quarter required.  Failure to meet this minimum will result in a 40% reduction in the fee, while higher quotas (7% in the first three quarters, 25% in the fourth) can lead to higher bonuses. However, meeting these higher quotas is not mandatory for receiving the basic retainer fee, but only for the additional bonuses” (taken from the Internet). 

This new regulation, which was already decided in 2025, is being criticized by some as an infringement on doctors’ freedom of treatment. This is seen as a continuation of the restrictions on doctors’ freedom of treatment that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Is God’s Heaven Real? 

Fox News wrote on January 18: 

“Where exactly is the heaven described in the Bible?… According to the Bible, the lowest level of heaven is Earth’s atmosphere. The mid-level heaven is outer space. The highest-level heaven is what we’re talking about: It’s where God dwells. As for heaven’s location, the Bible contains many verses that describe us as looking ‘up’ at God in heaven, and God as looking ‘down’ at us on Earth… 

“In 1929,… Edwin Hubble discovered that… there’s a definite pattern to how galaxies are rushing away from each other, namely: The farther ‘up’ in space a galaxy is located — the farther away it is from Earth — the faster it’s moving away from Earth and everything else… 

“Theoretically, a galaxy that’s 273 billion trillion… miles away from Earth would move at 186,000 miles per second, which is the speed of light. That distance, way ‘up’ there in space, is called the Cosmic Horizon. That means you and I can never reach the Cosmic Horizon… because… only light and certain other non-material phenomena can travel at the speed of light. 

“… It’s entirely possible heaven is located on the other side of the Cosmic Horizon… an entire universe exists beyond the Cosmic Horizon. But it’s permanently hidden from us because we can never reach, let alone cross over, the Cosmic Horizon… Our best astronomical observations… indicate that time stops at the Cosmic Horizon… Unlike time, however, space does exist at and beyond the Cosmic Horizon. Which means the hidden universe beyond the Cosmic Horizon is habitable, albeit only by light and light-like entities… whatever exists beyond the Cosmic Horizon predates these oldest objects… predates the so-called big bang… predates the beginning of the observable universe. 

“All these modern scientific realities, and others, are why it’s entirely reasonable to speculate that: 

“1. Heaven is, indeed, located ‘up’ there — way above our heads and way beyond the visible, starlit universe — just as the Bible indicates.

“2. Heaven is inaccessible to us mortals while we’re alive, just as the Bible indicates.

“3. Heaven is inhabited by nonmaterial… beings, just as the Bible indicates.

“4. Heaven is the dwelling place of the One who predates the universe — the One who created the universe — just as the Bible indicates.”

An interesting observation. The one mistake the author makes, however, is that where God dwells, there is no “space” either, as “space” is something “physical.” But there is a world composed of Spirit. The Bible indicates that God’s Heaven—the “Third Heaven”—is located in the North [Psalm 75:6; Isaiah 14:13-14—even in heathen literature, the abode of the gods was supposed to be in the North]. But God’s Third Heaven consists of Spirit and is therefore invisible to the human eye. For more information, please read our free booklet, “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World.” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Minnesota Killing… and Torrent of Untruths 

The Guardian wrote on January 9: 

“The killing of a US citizen by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis was a five-alarm fire for the Trump administration. But a torrent of untruths, half-truths, smears and innuendo has been unleashed by the White House… 

“The victim-blaming began almost immediately after news broke of Good’s killing on Wednesday. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and a regular spokesperson for ICE, declared in a post on X that ‘one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them – an act of domestic terrorism.’ Multiple ICE officers were hurt, she insisted, when videos of the shooting showed no such thing… 

“There is simply no evidence that Good was ‘a violent rioter’ or ‘domestic terrorist.’ No riot was taking place before her encounter with the ICE agents… A… video clearly shows that the officer who fired the fatal shots walked up to the front of Good’s car, which was turning away from him as it began to move forward, and he remained on his feet as the vehicle passed him…  The … video shows that the officer was so slightly brushed by the slowly moving car that he had no trouble retaining his balance and firing multiple shots at the driver. The same clip also appears to show that the vehicle only accelerated after the driver had been fatally shot…. 

“The officer who killed Good was not in the pathway of her car when he began firing, analysis of the video shows. Two other officers were beside the car, and no members of the public were seen to be in harm’s way. There is no evidence that any ICE officer was injured.” 

Unverified reports suggested that the agent suffered internal bleeding and was shortly treated in a hospital. Based on the available evidence, these reports appear to be highly dubious.

Trump’s America Is Torn Apart 

Daily Mail wrote on January 8: 

“A squad of ICE agents hunting down illegal migrants. A mother who went to protest against them after dropping her young son at school. A pop-pop-pop of bullets – then blood in the snow… the ELEVEN SECONDS tearing Trump’s America apart. 

“In this case, the ICE convoy – SUVs and pick-up trucks – decided to leave the vicinity, moving off with lights and sirens blaring. But they were blocked by a maroon SUV, a Honda Pilot, parked askew in the middle of the street… After about three minutes, an ICE agent walked around Ms Good’s vehicle… filming on his phone. 

“The Honda’s driver rolled the car forward slightly, turning left (towards the ICE convoy), but then stopped and waved for other cars to drive past. But the Honda was already reversing before its wheels turned to the right and it started to drive off – away from the agents. It was too late. At around 10.25am, three shots rang out in rapid succession, fired by the agent who’d originally circled the vehicle with his phone camera… 

“He’d then positioned himself just to the left of the front of the car and drawn his gun, reportedly shouting at the driver to ‘stop’ before opening fire. He fired into the windscreen – witnesses recalled hearing a sudden ‘putt, putt, putt’ sound – and continued shooting as the car swerved past him. It came to a halt a few seconds later, crashing into a parked vehicle… The agent holstered his gun and walked unhurriedly towards the Honda before turning back and telling his colleagues to summon an ambulance. 

“Video footage taken from a distance in front of the car suggests the vehicle clipped the agent, but other footage makes clear the driver didn’t run him over… 

“Trump’s opponents counter that Ms Good was not remotely a ‘terrorist’ and that none of the agents were in danger. Some believe she may have panicked when faced by the armed men. Trump’s critics have produced video evidence that certainly contradicts the official government narrative: careful analysis from several angles shows the car did drive towards the agent as he stood in front of it, but he was able to step out of the way and let off at least two shots at the side of the vehicle as it passed… 

“Her defenders insist she was murdered by a trigger-happy federal agent. Reports Jonathan Ross was dragged 50ft by a car last June may encourage his accusers in their case that he wildly over-reacted… 

“Ordinary people can watch the videos – frame by frame if necessary – and make up their own mind who is responsible. However, it’s unlikely many Americans will approach the controversy with an entirely open mind. 

“Trump’s migrant deportation drive – and particularly the heavy use of ICE agents to round up people who’ve often been living in the US for decades – has proved to be one of the most controversial policies of the President’s second term so far. Last month, it was revealed that the number of people in ICE detention had reached a record high of more than 68,400… Opponents counter that quite aside from questions of fairness, it is economic madness to deport so many long-standing, working migrants when Trump had appeared to have only dangerous criminals in his sights. 

“More troubling still, they believe the President has created in ICE a ‘personal army’ which seems alarmingly unaccountable and is, according to its critics, unconstitutional, not to say ‘un-American’. ICE agents, who often hide their faces and wear no identifiable insignia or identification, can detain people without charges or a hearing before flying them abroad… 

“With protesters angrily confronting heavily armed agents at every opportunity, some will say that a death like Wednesday’s tragedy in Minneapolis was inevitable. And with Minneapolis’s Left-wing mayor Jacob Frey saying that ICE needs to ‘get… out of his city’, and the Trump administration making it equally clear that it won’t be pushed around, the terrible events of this week might have been just the opening shots….” 

Demonstrations against ICE are ongoing. And so, civil war is more likely than not. 

New Video Proves Nothing 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 10: 

“An alleged cell phone video showing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shooting Renee Good, filmed from the shooter’s angle, was given to right-wing website Alpha News on Friday… which was also shared by Fox News, CBS News and other outlets… 

“The camera pans up to the sky as Good drives away and Ross fatally shoots the 37-year-old mother. It remains unclear from the footage whether Good’s car made contact with Ross, but previously released footage showed her angling her car away from him when she began driving. It also showed Ross walking away from the scene after he shot her… 

“Vice President JD Vance shared the video on social media, claiming it backed up the Trump administration’s claims that Good was threatening Ross’s life… He also slammed coverage of the shooting, suggesting the video was proof that outlets were ‘lying about this innocent law enforcement officer… You should all be ashamed of yourselves,’ Vance wrote.”

Maybe it’s Vance who should be ashamed of himself? Note the next article.

JD Vance No True Catholic? 

The National Catholic Reporter (NCR) wrote on January 8: 

“JD Vance has taken to social media to justify the shooting and blame Good for her own death… The Trump administration was quick to demonize Good. Within hours of the event and before a formal investigation could even be launched, Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem labeled Good’s actions as an ‘act of ‘domestic terrorism.’ President Donald Trump on Jan. 7 labeled her as ‘disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer.’ Trump went on to say that the ICE officer was lucky to be alive and ‘is now recovering in the hospital.’… 

“The investigation is ongoing, but the entire situation is a powder keg: Social media is on fire as users viciously debate the justification of the killing and it seems protests are beginning in Minneapolis and beyond. 

“But in spite of the increasing uproar, Vice President JD Vance said… ‘You can accept that this woman’s death is a tragedy while acknowledging it’s a tragedy of her own making. Don’t illegally interfere in federal law enforcement operations and try to run over our officers with your car. It’s really that simple’… 

“At the time of publication of this piece, at no point has Vance tweeted any remorse, prayers or condolences regarding Good and her loved ones. Instead, Vance continued his storm of social media posts the morning after the shooting — this time leaning into divisive, tribalistic language to demonize Democrats. 

“In times past, a politician might offer thoughts and prayers, encourage those reacting to wait for the full results of the investigation and generally try to lower the temperature… JD Vance went in a different direction… 

“As a Catholic, Vance knows better than to peddle this brand of gaslighting and agitation. Vance knows that, by virtue of her humanity, Good was endowed with inherent dignity, made in the image and likeness of God. Vance knows that only God can take life. Vance knows that protesting, fleeing or even interfering in an ICE investigation (which there is no evidence that Good did) does not carry a death sentence. Vance knows that lying and killing are sins. 

“Vance knows. He doesn’t care. Vance’s twisted and wrongheaded view of Christianity has been repudiated by two popes. His Catholicism seems to be little more than a political prop, a tool only for his career ambitions and desire for power. The vice president’s comments justifying the death of Renee Good are a moral stain on the collective witness of our Catholic faith. His repeated attempts to blame Good for her own death are fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel. Our only recourse is to pray for his conversion of heart.” 

While we are at it, many members of the Trump Administration need a conversion of heart as well. But this is also true for all the other right- and left-wing politicians who seem to have only their political agenda in mind.

Can ICE Agents Be Prosecuted? 

Reuters wrote on January 8: 

“The officer fired ‘defensive shots’ after a ‘violent rioter’ attempted to run over officers, a spokeswoman of the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement, adding that the officer had feared for his life. Online videos of the shooting verified by Reuters cast doubt on the government’s narrative, however. 

“One video showed an officer approach an SUV and order the driver out and grab at the door handle while another officer appeared in front of the car. The driver moves forward while turning away from the officers, and the one in front pulls his weapon, steps back and fires three shots. It was not clear if the car made contact with the officer, and he fired at least one shot after it had already passed him… 

“Minnesota’s use-of-force law permits state police to use deadly force only if reasonable officers would believe doing so was necessary to protect themselves, or others, from death or serious harm. Federal law has a similar standard, permitting use of deadly force when a reasonable officer would have probable cause to believe a person posed an immediate threat of death or serious injury. 

“Federal agents are generally immune from state prosecution for actions taken as part of their official duties. Immunity only applies when an officer’s actions were authorized under federal law and were necessary and proper. 

“If Minnesota charged the agent, he could seek to move the case to federal court and argue he is immune from prosecution. To prevail, the state would have to show the actions were outside his official duties or were objectively unreasonable or clearly unlawful. If a judge ruled the officer was immune, the case would be dismissed and the state would not be able to charge him again. 

“Federal prosecutors can charge law enforcement officers for fatal shootings, but the bar is very high and charges are rare. Prosecutors would need to show the officer knew his conduct was unlawful or acted with reckless disregard for the constitutional limits of his authority, which is difficult to prove in court.” 

These human-made laws are totally contrary to God’s commandments. If the ICE agent is guilty, he needs to be dealt with. 

Tucker Carlson Rips MAGA Reactions 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 9: 

“Tucker Carlson has joined the multitude of conservatives with commentary on the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good… However, the former Fox News host had a starkly different reaction than many of his peers. Carlson slammed his fellow conservatives for using the tragedy ‘to score political points,’ while also decrying liberal leaders like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for ‘behaving like children’… 

“‘The 37-year-old was an American citizen and reportedly the mother of a kindergarten-aged child. Did we disagree with her views on immigration? Probably,’ he continued. ‘But that shouldn’t matter. Her death is a tragedy, regardless of her partisan affiliations, ideological beliefs, or who pulled the trigger. A woman got shot in the face. How come so few conservatives are viewing this story through a human lens?’…

“Carlson argued Thursday that violence around the world is ‘desensitizing Americans to violence at home,’ adding that as Trump supporters and critics debate the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, few have focused on the death toll of at least 75 people… 

“‘If the United States were in a better place, everyone, regardless of their politics, would pause when something like the Minneapolis shooting happens and at least recognize the human tragedy,’ wrote Carlson. ‘But that doesn’t happen because, compared to the countless overseas killings our government routinely brings about, Good’s death doesn’t seem like such a big deal. She’s just another headline.’” 

Sadly, Carlson is SO RIGHT with his assessment. 

German Reaction to Minneapolis Shooting 

The Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote on January 10:

“‘In Minneapolis, an ICE immigration officer kills a woman who posed no threat to him whatsoever – and is even praised by the government for it. People without decency or empathy are running the country,’ comments SZ author Peter Burghardt:

“‘The US doesn’t need masked militias. The agents of Border Patrol and ICE are under pressure because ideologues like Trump’s hardliner Stephen Miller demand that at least 3,000 foreigners without immigration papers be arrested or forced out of the country every day. And this practice is just gaining momentum; Trump’s budget includes billions of dollars for ICE. 

“The gunman in Minneapolis was clearly unfit for his job; otherwise, he wouldn’t have opened fire immediately. The exact sequence of events still needs to be investigated, but Trump and his MAGA crowd are, as usual, immediately blaming the resistance to ICE. How will the FBI, which is under their control, conduct its investigation? If the Democrats want to be taken even remotely seriously, they must use every political means at their disposal to rein in Trump’s private army.”

ICE Arrests Tribal Citizens 

The Associated Press wrote on January 13: 

“The president of Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota on Tuesday called for the immediate release of tribal members who were detained… by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota last week… ‘The Oglala Sioux Tribe’s memorandum makes clear that ‘tribal citizens are not aliens’ and are ‘categorically outside immigration jurisdiction,’ Star Comes Out said. ‘Enrolled tribal members are citizens of the United States by statute and citizens of the Oglala Sioux Nation by treaty.’… 

“Fort Snelling has a troubling history for Indigenous people. It was the first military outpost in the area, and Dakota people were held prisoner there during the Dakota War of 1862, an armed conflict between the U.S. and Native Americans… 

“Last year, elected leaders in the Navajo Nation said that tribal citizens in Arizona and New Mexico reported being stopped and detained by ICE officers… That same month [of November], Elaine Miles, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon and an actress known for her roles in ‘Northern Exposure’ and ‘The Last of Us,’ said she was stopped by ICE officers in Washington state who told her that her tribal ID looked fake.” 

Nobody is safe anymore. 

Joe Rogan Compares ICE With Gestapo

NBC News wrote on January 13:

“Joe Rogan, one of the biggest podcasters in the world, had endorsed Trump in the 2024 election… [His] show, which has consistently retained its No. 1 spot on the Spotify podcast charts, has more than 20.6 million subscribers on YouTube. But on Tuesday, Rogan, who has been increasingly critical of Trump’s mass deportation agenda in recent months, expressed concern over ICE’s activities in an episode featuring Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

“He said that ‘most people’ believe law enforcement should arrest criminals, but that many of the same people also believe ICE is ‘operating illegally.’ ‘I can also see the point of view of the people that say, ‘Yeah, but you don’t want militarized people in the streets just roaming around snatching people up, many of which turn out to actually be U.S. citizens that just don’t have their papers on them,’ Rogan said. ‘Are we really going to be the Gestapo? “Where’s your papers?” Is that what we’ve come to?’”

 Sadly, it appears to be that way.

Pope Leo Takes On Trump and Putin 

The Associated Press wrote on January 9: 

“In his most substantial critique of U.S., Russian, and other military incursions in sovereign countries, Pope Leo XIV on Friday denounced how nations were using force to assert their dominion worldwide, ‘completely undermining’ peace and the post-World War II international legal order. ‘War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,’ Leo told ambassadors from around the world who represent their countries’ interests at the Holy See. 

“Leo didn’t name individual countries that have resorted to force in his lengthy speech…  but his speech came amid the backdrop of the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela to remove Nicolas Maduro from power, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and other conflicts….” 

James 4:1-3 states: 

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” 

Trump Repeats His Military Threats 

The Sun wrote on January 9:

“Trump has said the US will begin land strikes on Mexico to target drug cartels… It comes after an astonishing week where the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and threatened Columbia with military action… The US President told Fox News: ‘We are gonna start now hitting land with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico, it’s very sad to watch what’s happened to the country.’… 

“Trump has marked up Greenland, Cuba and Columbia as his next potential targets in threats that have angered world leaders and NATO. The president has hinted at invading Mexico in a bid to attack its cartels since his election campaign. He warned its leaders to ‘get their act together’ in the immediate aftermath of his weekend strike on Venezuela.”

Greenland Invasion Plot 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 10: 

“Donald Trump has ordered his special forces commanders to draw up a plan for the invasion of Greenland… 

“Sources say that the policy ‘hawks’ around the US President, led by political adviser Stephen Miller, have been so emboldened by the success of the operation to capture Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro that they want to move quickly to seize the island before Russia or China makes a move. 

“British diplomats believe that Trump is also motivated by a desire to distract American voters from the performance of the US economy before the mid-term elections later this year, after which he could lose control of Congress to the Democrats.  But such a dramatic move… would effectively lead to the collapse of Nato. 

“According to the sources, the President has asked the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to prepare the invasion plan, but it is being resisted by the joint chiefs of staff on the grounds that it would be illegal – and would not be supported by Congress… One diplomatic cable describes the ‘worst-case’ scenario as leading to ‘the destruction of Nato from the inside’. 

“It adds: ‘Some European officials suspect this is the real aim of the hardline MAGA faction around Trump. Since Congress would not allow Trump to exit Nato, occupying Greenland could force the Europeans to abandon Nato. If Trump wants to end Nato, this might be the most convenient way to do it.’… It concludes: ‘The current concerns [about an invasion] are driven by the most extreme views coming from Stephen Miller. The UK’s positioning will be key – whether it sticks closely with European allies or breaks ranks [to sanction Trump’s approach].‘” 

Fire Stephen Miller! 

WRAL News wrote on January 8: 

“U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, forcefully rebutted comments from one of the top officials in the Trump administration about a potential American takeover of Greenland… Tillis… called comments made by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller ‘insane’ and ‘amateur hour.’… Tillis also said Miller should inform himself or get out of the job.” 

ABC 11 added on January 8: 

“The comments from retiring North Carolina senator mark some of the strongest yet from a Republican lawmaker following the White House deputy chief of staff’s assertion that the US has the right to take Greenland… ‘And I know, whether they say it out loud or not, most of my colleagues agree with me.’”

The problem is, they don’t say it out loud. Miller should have been fired a long time ago. 

Miller—Cold-Eyed, Racist and Most Influential? 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 13, 2026:

“If there was one thing that terrified Donald Trump’s critics more than the sensational raid he launched to capture Venezuela’s dictator Nicolas Maduro, it was the cavalier way his overweening policy chief Stephen Miller then sought to justify it. ‘We live in a world in which you can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else… But we live in a world… that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world that existed since the beginning of time.’

“Viewers had barely caught their breath at this outburst of cold-eyed belligerence when Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy and his homeland security adviser, dropped another bombshell as the conversation moved to the sovereign Danish territory of Greenland [see article above]…

“Not for nothing is California-born Miller now regarded as the most influential official in the White House – and perhaps the most powerful unelected man in the US… Although Miller is of Ashkenazi Jewish extraction, Democrats like to portray him as a jackbooted fascist, Trump’s skinhead bovver boy…

“His own uncle, eminent psychologist David Glosser, has publicly condemned him, claiming that their family – who fled anti-Jewish pogroms in Europe – would have been ‘wiped out’ under his nephew’s immigration crackdown… He’s widely accused of being virulently xenophobic, if not outright racist… one ally described him as having ‘the bedside manner of [SS chief] Heinrich Himmler’. He is said to yell at everybody during his daily (even Saturdays) staff meetings – ‘nobody is spared from his wrath’.”

And this man is the most powerful unelected official? 

NATO on the Brink 

Aljazeera wrote on January 10: 

“The Trump administration has once again threatened to take control of Greenland either by acquiring it or through the use of military force to ‘deter our adversaries in the Arctic region.’… 

“European and Canadian leaders have jumped to support Denmark and Greenland, saying they are working on a plan in the event the United States follows through with its threats. Analysts have said that any attempt by the US to seize Greenland would be an unprecedented move in NATO’s history and raise serious questions about the survival of the alliance and the limits of Article 5, which was designed to defend against an external aggressor… 

“Collective defence is NATO’s governing principle, where Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that an armed attack against one NATO member is considered an attack against all… Because Article 5 requires unanimous agreement from all members to be invoked, a conflict between two members would lead to an impasse, as the alliance cannot vote to go to war against itself.” 

Europe Must Cut All Ties With the USA

The Guardian wrote on January 14:

“[Will] Europe finally choose between Europe and the US? Will its leaders have the courage to tell the full truth – that the US isn’t simply  abandoning its allies and destroying the international world order but is now in the position of active and hostile predation by force – and more importantly, to act on it?…

“If the US actually attacks Denmark by invading Greenland… [it] would demand the seizure of US military bases from Germany to Spain, individual sanctions on a wide range of US government officials, broad sanctions against the US economy… And if the US doesn’t attack Denmark, Europe’s best chance of surviving as a free and open continent in an imperial world is still to force the rupture with the US, force the consequences… anyway…  it is time for Europe to tell the US to leave its European military bases, throw off the yoke of US tech billionaires… Europe must cut the cord now, and not follow them into the storm.”

Strong words… unheard of just a few years ago. But in line with biblical prophecy.

Vance Hates Europe

Politico wrote on January 15:

“Among the 10 ministers and officials who spoke anonymously to POLITICO for this article, none regarded Vance as an ally — either in the Greenland talks or for the transatlantic relationship in general. 

“‘Vance hates us,’ said one European diplomat… While Trump can be distracted, some EU officials say, Vance appears to be more ideological in his hostility to Europe…”

Drums of War 

The Sun wrote on January 10: 

“DONALD Trump is ready to unleash the full force of US power as he eyes up a ‘hitlist’ of targets to create a new world order… Trump has marked up Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, Greenland and Iran as targets after the opening salvo on Venezuela – and is preparing for another hit soon, experts fear… 

“Trump’s threats have been described as an attempt to create an American ‘empire’… If Trump is to follow through with his threats, America could be fighting conflicts on multiple fronts across the globe, experts say.” 

The Hill wrote on January 14: 

“Denmark is boosting its military presence in and around Greenland… The Danish Defense Ministry noted Wednesday that it strengthened its presence in and around Greenland last summer as well with assistance from Germany, France, Sweden and Norway.” 

Fundamental Disagreements Remain 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 14: 

“Danish and Greenlandic officials said they still have a ‘fundamental disagreement’ with President Donald Trump over Greenland after meeting in Washington with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio… 

“Denmark has taken steps in recent days to increase military presence in Greenland, and has called for military exercises that will include aircraft, vessels and soldiers. Sweden said it would participate. On Wednesday, Germany and France both said they would send troops to Greenland for exercises.” 

German President: Trump Is Destroying World Order 

Reuters wrote on January 8: 

“German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has strongly criticised U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump and urged the world not to let the world order disintegrate into a ‘den of robbers’ where the unscrupulous take what they want (and where regions or entire countries are treated as the property of a few great powers). 

“In unusually strong remarks, which appeared to refer to actions such as the ousting of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro at the weekend, the former foreign minister said global democracy was being attacked as never before. Although the German president’s role is largely ceremonial, his words carry some weight and he has more freedom to express views than politicians. 

“Describing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a watershed, Steinmeier said the U.S. behaviour represented a second historic rupture. ‘Then there is the breakdown of values by our most important partner, the USA, which helped build this world order,’ Steinmeier said… 

“On Thursday, a poll for public broadcaster ARD indicated 76% of Germans surveyed now felt the United States was not a partner that Germany could rely on… Only 15% felt Germany could now trust the United States…” 

Trump: “Only I Can Stop Me.” 

The New York Times wrote on January 8: 

“President Trump declared on Wednesday evening that his power as commander in chief is constrained only by his ‘own morality,’ brushing aside international law and other checks on his ability to use military might to strike, invade or coerce nations around the world. Asked in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times if there were any limits on his global powers, Mr. Trump said: ‘Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me… I don’t need international law,’ he added… 

“When pressed further about whether his administration needed to abide by international law, Mr. Trump said, ‘I do.’ But he made clear he would be the arbiter when such constraints applied to the United States. ‘It depends what your definition of international law is,’ he said…. 

“He made clear that he uses his reputation for unpredictability and a willingness to resort quickly to military action, often in service of coercing other nations. In his conversation with The Times, Mr. Trump sounded more emboldened than ever. He cited the success of his strike on Iran’s nuclear program — he keeps a model of the B-2 bombers used in the mission on his desk; the speed with which he decapitated the Venezuelan government last weekend; and his designs on Greenland, which is controlled by Denmark, a NATO ally. 

“When asked what was his higher priority, obtaining Greenland or preserving NATO, Mr. Trump declined to answer directly, but acknowledged ‘it may be a choice.’ He made clear that the trans-Atlantic alliance was essentially useless without the United States at its core.” 

Trump should remind himself that GOD can stop him at any time 

Italy Criticizes Trump 

MSN reported on January 13: 

“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has responded to renewed criticism of NATO from US President Donald Trump, arguing that simplistic proposals to sever key transatlantic ties are neither practical nor beneficial for Europe’s security. 

“Trump recently reiterated a familiar line – ‘NATO is zero without America’ – underscoring his view that the alliance’s strength depends on US leadership and capability. This rhetoric comes amid wider tensions over US strategic intentions, including controversial remarks about Greenland that alarm European NATO partners. In response, Meloni was quoted rhetorically asking whether Europe should then take radical steps like closing US military bases, cutting trade, or even ‘storming McDonald’s’ – not as a literal plan of action, but to highlight how unrealistic some proposals are that have circulated online. 

“Notably, US–NATO relations are under strain due to shifting US foreign policy priorities under Trump and broader disagreements over burden-sharing. European capitals are increasingly vocal about how the alliance should function, especially regarding collective defense, trade and geopolitical competition with powers like Russia and China. 

This is remarkable as Meloni is viewed as one of Trump’s strongest supporters. 

Trump’s Dream-World

AlterNet wrote on January 15:

“President Donald Trump, rejecting criticism from within his own party, the economic challenges facing the American people, and polling on Greenland, suggested that his second-term accomplishments were so extensive that they should render the 2026 midterm elections unnecessary.

“In an interview with Reuters, President Trump ‘expressed frustration’ that Republicans may lose control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate in the November midterm elections… Trump told Reuters that ‘when you win the presidency, you don’t win the midterms’…

“Trump, Reuters reported, ‘repeatedly dismissed concerns by the public, business leaders and even his fellow Republicans on issues ranging from the future of Greenland and the criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, to the state of the economy.’ He deemed ‘fake’ a Reuters/Ipsos poll that found little support — just 17 percent — for him seizing control of Greenland.

“He repeatedly declared, ‘I don’t care’ when confronted with news that some Senate Republicans oppose the Department of Justice’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell… Trump also dismissed the concerns of the American people over high prices they are facing, instead incorrectly declaring the economy the strongest ‘in history.’ …

“On actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Reuters reported that Trump ‘said he would continue sending armed agents into cities, claiming that his efforts had taken “thousands of murderers out of our country.” Reuters noted that there is ‘no evidence to support that assertion.’”

Trump is losing support nationally and internationally. The German AfD voiced criticism of his actions as well.

Trump—Emperor of America’s Police State 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on January 14: 

“Trump speaks in a language of kings, strongmen, and would-be emperors advocating for personal rule over constitutional government… Trump and his army of enablers and enforcers may have co-opted the language of patriotism, but they are channeling the tactics of despots…

“All presidents in recent years have contributed to the rise of the American police state with executive overreach, standing armies, militarized policing, war without consent, mass surveillance, and concentrated power. But Trump 2.0 has done more to dismantle the nation’s constitutional guardrails than at any other time in history…

“With every passing day, the American police state with Trump at its helm gets more unhinged… This is not leadership. It is lawlessness carried out by mercenaries and thugs on the government payroll… This is the reality of Trump’s America: moral collapse, thuggery, violence, greed, and dehumanization…

“Nothing about Trump’s behavior is rational or sane, even by his own standards: he’s bulldozing the White House, blitz-bombing boats, threatening to seize foreign lands by force, and plastering his name and face on every available surface. Yet as diabolical as these distractions are, they are a sideshow to keep us from seeing the long-term plans to lock down the country being put in place by an unaccountable shadow apparatus operating behind the scenes for whom the Constitution means nothing…

“Americans are being trained to accept what would have once been unthinkable: law enforcement that kills without consequence, presidents who operate above the law, wars launched without consent…” 

Trump Deserves Eight Peace Prizes? 

Daily Mail wrote on January 10: 

“Donald Trump cannot officially be given Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize, according to the committee that gives out the award. Machado initially dedicated the award to Trump but has since expressed her desire to give him the trophy, which the president has said would be a ‘great honor’ to accept. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday that this would be impossible…  White House spokeswoman told The Daily Mail it’s clear that the president should get the prize regardless... 

“… reports have suggested Trump’s displeasure with her acceptance of the prize – which he has long coveted — has left her out in the cold following the capture of Maduro, with Trump saying Machado ‘doesn’t have the respect’ in Venezuela to be named president…. 

“The president suggested… that he ought to get as many as eight Nobel Prizes. Trump argued that the Nobel committee not giving him the prize this year has been ‘a major embarrassment to Norway,’ which is where they’re located. ‘When you put out eight wars, in theory, you should get one for each war,’ he said. 

“White House insiders revealed his displeasure stems from her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize – an honor Trump has long coveted for himself. ‘If she had turned it down and said, “I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,” she’d be the president of Venezuela today,’ a person familiar with Trump’s thinking told the Washington Post. ‘Her acceptance of the prize was an “ultimate sin.”’ … Former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul suggested Trump threw Machado ‘under the bus,’ over the Nobel Peace Prize.” 

What pitiful and egoistic thinking… 

Clintons Defy Congressional Subpoenas 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 13:

“House Oversight’s Republican chairman James Comer promised to bring contempt proceedings next week [against the Clintons], setting off a potentially protracted and politically fraught legal battle that would be the first time in history a sitting or former president has been held in contempt by Congress…

“In an astonishing letter to Comer, the Clintons launched a broadside at Donald Trump and the Republican lawmakers carrying out his ‘cruel agenda.’ They claimed a legal analysis proved they were not required to testify [in the Epstein matter] and insisted the subpoenas were an extension of Trump’s ‘weaponization’ of the law…

“’Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time.’

“The Clintons cited the precedent set by Trump in October 2022, when he defied a congressional subpoena demanding his testimony over the Capitol riot… Two Trump allies, Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, were both sentenced to four months in federal prison for defying subpoenas from the January 6 Committee…

“The dispute comes amid controversy over the Trump administration’s handling of Epstein-related records. Weeks after a legal deadline to release the Epstein files, the Justice Department has offered up only one percent of the total archive, angering Trump supporters who had expected sweeping disclosures…” 

“Bloody Uprising Against the Mullahs, and in Germany, There Is an Embarrassing Silence” 

Focus wrote on January 9: 

“In Iran, masses of people are risking their lives. Trump is siding with them, Musk is providing Starlink as an internet alternative. From Germany comes: Nothing. 

“In Iran, parts of the population are now rising up against the mullahs… They are calling for freedom in the streets of the major cities, many are also calling for Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah… 

“How is the West reacting? In Germany, in Berlin for example, there are currently no demonstrations for a free Iran. Not in the streets, not at the universities. When it came to Gaza, things were completely different – it was against Israel, it was against ‘the Americans.’ Why is there now this deafening silence, this ‘loud silence’? 

“Is it because US President Donald Trump, the bogeyman of the left in the West, is on the side of the Iranian protests? Is it because the left has always warned against alleged ‘Islamophobia’? Is it because, pardon the expression, this time it’s not against Jews?…” 

“Nothing has been heard from the Federal Chancellor regarding Iran… The highest-ranking German politician from the governing parties who has sided with the protesting Iranians is currently the parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU, Jens Spahn. He wrote on X: ‘The courageous Iranian men and women deserve freedom. I wish them all the strength to overthrow the Mullah regime and pray that the Islamists will not be able to murder any more people. Germany and Europe must stand by the brave women and men who are taking to the streets.’ 

“And then Spahn adds a concrete demand: ‘Classifying the Revolutionary Guard in the EU as a terrorist organization is long overdue!’ This demand from Spahn is highly explosive because the parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU is putting pressure on the government, especially the Foreign Minister from his own party. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard could and perhaps should have been classified as a terrorist organization years ago. Spahn is quite late with this demand, but he is so far the only high-ranking politician to raise this issue now. 

“Germany, like the Europeans and the CDU politician and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, could do considerably more. For example, they could freeze Iranian assets in accounts held in European countries. Or they could seek dialogue with the exiled opposition politician Reza Pahlavi. This hasn’t occurred to the Europeans so far, but it has to someone else: US President Trump.” 

Looking the Other Way For Too Long 

Bild Online wrote on January 12: 

“The longer the bloody protests in Iran continue, the more criticism there is of [German] public broadcasting coverage.  Politicians and media experts say the broadcasters were too slow to react, misjudged the protests for a long time, and invited biased interviewees. 

The ‘Jüdische Allgemeine’ criticizes both public broadcasters in a new article, titled: ‘The protests in Iran and the shameful reporting by ARD and ZDF.’  It offers this assessment: ‘The mullahs should go, the Shah should return: The left doesn’t have an explanation for this right now – and neither do the left-leaning editorial offices of public broadcasting.’… In Germany, ARD and ZDF in particular ‘didn’t really want to get involved in the reporting, while in Great Britain, the BBC is also hesitant.’” 

Attack on Iran Imminent? 

Reuters wrote on January 11: 

“Unrest in Iran has killed more than 500 people, a rights group said on Sunday, as Tehran threatened to target U.S. military bases if President Donald Trump carries out his renewed threats to intervene on behalf of protesters.” 

Trump has paused an attack on Iran, for now.

Iran Threatens Trump 

Newsmax wrote on January 14: 

“Iran issued a direct assassination threat against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, airing a chilling image on state television showing Trump during the 2024 rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, with the warning: ‘This time, the bullet won’t miss.’ 

“The image, broadcast on Iran’s Islamic Republic state television, marks Tehran’s most explicit threat yet against Trump and comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and the Iranian regime.”

Merz Is Hedging Again 

ntv wrote on January 9: 

“France and Great Britain are preparing to send soldiers to Ukraine to secure a ceasefire. And Germany? It wants to be a leading power, but it dithers when things get dangerous. But German cowardice threatens to backfire on all of Europe… 

“Chancellor Friedrich Merz is distancing himself again. German troops could primarily be deployed in ‘neighboring NATO states’ such as Poland or Romania. Directly in Ukraine? On this, only an evasive ‘We are not ruling anything out.’ That’s not a strategy. That’s a maneuver. 

“Translated, it means: Germany wants to be part of the backdrop, but not part of the risk. Solidarity, yes – as long as it doesn’t hurt… 

“Half-hearted solidarity is not a compromise. It is betrayal. Germany must stop hiding behind history, structures, and excuses – and finally do what it expects of others: take responsibility.” 

This will happen soon… but probably not under Merz. 

Kennedy vs. Germany 

The Independent wrote on January 11: 

“Germany has vehemently dismissed accusations from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claimed the nation had undermined patient autonomy, particularly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. German Health Minister Nina Warken issued a statement late on Saturday, asserting: ‘The statements made by the US Secretary of Health are completely unfounded, factually incorrect, and must be rejected.’ 

“Earlier that day, Mr Kennedy had posted a video stating he had written to the German minister. His letter was reportedly based on information from Germany suggesting the government was ‘limiting people’s abilities to act on their own convictions when they face medical decisions.’ The American health secretary said that ‘I’ve learned that more than a thousand German physicians and thousands of their patients now face prosecution and punishment for issuing exemptions from wearing masks or getting COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.’” 

According to Deutsche Welle, dated January 11, “Warken said that ‘criminal prosecution took place only in cases of fraud and forgery of documents, such as the issuing of false vaccine certificates’ or exemption certificates for masks.” 

There can be no doubt that the government was pressuring people and at the same time violating their constitutional rights; thereby “limiting people’s abilities to act on their own convictions when they face medical decisions.” 

COVID-19 Hardliners Fume Over Kennedy’s Letter to Nina Warken 

Nius wrote on January 12: 

“After US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanded an end to the criminal prosecution of doctors in Germany for issuing exemptions from mask mandates or COVID-19 vaccinations, hardliners like Karl Lauterbach and Janosch Dahmen are up in arms. 

“In particular, [the Green Party member] Dahmen is outraged… who during the COVID-19 years never found any measure too harsh and who called for an expansion of mandatory vaccination… Former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), who for years fueled ‘pandemic’ panic by constantly warning of new variants of the virus and repeatedly making grim predictions about the deadly course of the infection, spoke out on the platform X. Kennedy should ‘take care of health problems in his own country.’… 

“There is concern because Kennedy is essentially right. Whether it’s actually a thousand doctors who have been prosecuted for not being ‘in line,’ or fewer (or possibly many more), cannot be determined because there is currently no comprehensive survey of ongoing or completed proceedings of this kind. 

“The fact is: … Known court cases involve dozens of instances, often resulting in convictions with fines or suspended sentences, as well as professional bans. These cases are often based on the accusation of issuing medical certificates without a physical examination, which was considered ‘incorrect’… 

“In addition, there were almost 270,000 violations of the mandatory vaccination requirement for healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes… In this respect, Warkens’ claim that there were no professional bans is incorrect.  Healthcare workers did indeed face such bans if they could not provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. And soldiers were subject to a ‘duty of compliance.’ Those who did not undergo the controversial COVID-19 vaccination were dismissed from service or prosecuted for insubordination. The majority of the population was pressured into complying with the measures and getting vaccinated through fear-mongering and the threat of penalties.” 

“Law professor Martin Schwab… also points out on X that during the coronavirus pandemic, neither the autonomy of patients nor the therapeutic freedom of doctors was respected: ‘The current regulation, according to which general practitioners covered by public health insurance lose 40 percent of their retainer fee if they do not vaccinate, represents a clear attack on doctors’ therapeutic freedom.’ 

“It is clear: doctors were systematically pressured during the coronavirus years, including by medical associations, regulatory authorities, professional societies, and colleagues. Those who did not comply were… defamed. The others made a lot of money from mass vaccinations. 

“Like Karl Lauterbach and Janosch Dahmen, the Christian Democrat Nina Warken also distinguished herself as a hardliner…” 

Homeschooling 

Die Welt wrote on January 9: 

“Abolish compulsory schooling? Yes, we should talk about it! 

“When the AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund recently questioned compulsory schooling, the knee-jerk outrage was considerable.  Yet there are good reasons to allow homeschooling – not least the shortcomings of the German school system.” 

Absolutely! German compulsory schooling is a relic from a bygone, authoritarian era. It should be abolished. But the AfD, in general, is opposed to homeschooling as well. 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

USA Attacks and Occupies Venezuela

The New York Post wrote on January 3: 

“President Trump told the nation Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro [and his wife Cilia Flores were] captured ‘in the dead of night’ and that the US would now take over running the South American country… The 63-year-old, who has held power in the country since 2013, was taken by the US military after President Trump ordered airstrikes on several military bases across the Venezuelan capital of Caracas 

“… the American raid on Caracas to capture President Nicolás Maduro and his wife produced initial reactions of shock, outrage and skepticism from international leaders, many of them troubled by an exercise of American gunboat diplomacy… Allies of Mr. Maduro like Cuba and Russia predictably condemned the American intervention, despite Russia’s own invasion of sovereign Ukraine nearly four years ago… 

“President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil… condemned the U.S. action and said it ‘recalls the worst moments of interference in the politics’ of the region… President Gustavo Petro of Colombia wrote on X that he ‘rejects the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and of Latin America.’ … Iran, which has also been threatened in the last few days by Mr. Trump, issued a statement on Saturday condemning the U.S. attack and accusing the United States of violating the United Nations Charter… 

“The Venezuela intervention in the name of countering drug smuggling recalled to many the invasion of Panama in 1989. Back then, American forces captured Manuel Antonio Noriega, the ruler of Panama, and brought him to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking. He was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison, ultimately serving 17 years after a reduction in his sentence for good behavior. He died in Panamanian custody in 2017…. 

“But perhaps the most interesting criticism of Mr. Trump came from Jordan Bardella, the likely presidential candidate of France’s far right National Rally party, which has received support from Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance… ‘The forcible overthrow of a government from the outside cannot constitute an acceptable response…’ In the face of such intervention, he added, France must ‘rearm our nation, to strengthen our industrial and military capabilities,’ in order to ‘make its independent voice heard on the international stage, one that respects sovereignties.’” 

Trump’s actions will lead to the establishment of a strong military in Europe. 

Illegal Action? 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 4: 

“The Trump administration’s unilateral action to extract Maduro from his country… reportedly involved the use of 150 aircraft to strike locations in northern Venezuela, including the capital Caracas. Some reports suggest 40 people have died as a result of the US strikes… 

“The US led the establishment of the United Nations and, in 1945, signed its foundational document, the UN Charter, which underpins many principles of international law, including territorial integrity. Scholars have pointed to Article 2(4) of that charter to suggest the US’ actions violated international law. That article forbids the ‘threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence’ of another country. 

“‘This was a use of force,’ said Marko Milanovic, Director of Global Law at the University of Reading in the UK. ‘If you send 150 airplanes into another state, if you start bombing its air defenses, if you kidnap its president, if you kill dozens of people, that is a use of force in the sense of Article 2, paragraph 4.’ 

“There are exceptions, the most notable being authorization by the UN Security Council to proceed with military action against another country. However, this approval wasn’t sought prior to Maduro’s seizure. 

“Another is self-defence, though given the US’ outsized military strength relative to Venezuela, it is again unclear how this argument would hold up. Even labelling fentanyl as a WMD, branding Maduro a narco-terrorist and charging him with conspiracy against the US is unlikely to be accepted by any international standard as a rationale for self-defence. ‘Self-defense requires the existence of an armed attack,’ Milanovic told DW. ‘Simply allowing the exports of drugs from one country to another is not an armed attack and has never been treated as an armed attack.’ 

“Using the US military to attack a foreign country… would also require congressional approval. That approval was not secured. 

“At a press conference led by Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to cast the operation as one of law enforcement, rather than a war declaration, saying ‘… at its core, this was an arrest of two indicted fugitives of American justice and the Department of War supported the Department of Justice in that job.’ Jeremy Paul, an expert on constitutional law at Northeastern University in the US, said Rubio’s argument was ‘plausible,’ but subsequent statements by the president about the US ‘running’ Venezuela and its oil fields ‘completely undermined’ that rationale…. ‘It’s totally inconsistent.’” 

It was stated that long legal battles will ensue in the USA pertaining to the trials of Maduro and his wife, probably ending up before the US Supreme Court. 

VP Defies Trump 

The New York Post wrote on January 3: 

“Venezuela’s vice president [Delcy Rodtríguez] declared that Nicolás Maduro is the ‘only president of Venezuela’ in a defiant speech that appeared to throw cold water on President Trump’s claims she was cooperating with his administration… The VP made her remarks flanked by high ranking generals and government officials in a televised address to the nation after convening an emergency meeting. She demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores…” 

The New York Post wrote on January 4: 

“Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodtriguez, [who was sworn in by Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Saturday for 90 days] is not the country’s legitimate leader, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. Rubio… suggested the US will not support her staying in power. He called for elections to determine the next leader of the beleaguered South American country.” 

Alarabiya wrote on January 4: 

“President Donald Trump threatened Sunday that Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez will pay a ‘very big price’ [‘probably bigger than Maduro’] if she doesn’t cooperate with the United States… 

“Venezuela’s military on Sunday recognized Rodriguez as the country’s acting leader…” 

A long battle appears to lie ahead. Note the next article. 

Chaos in Venezuela 

The Daily Mail wrote on January 4: 

“Venezuela was plunged into chaos on Saturday as armed supporters of captured Nicolas Maduro flooded the streets, sparking riots, shuttering transport networks and forcing terrified residents to barricade themselves inside their homes… The unrest followed a large-scale US strike on Caracas, which targeted Fuerte Tiuna – Venezuela’s largest military complex… Dramatic aerial images showed entire buildings obliterated, with scorched land and plumes of smoke hanging over the city… 

“As armed supporters continue to roam the streets and food supplies dwindle, many Venezuelans fear the country is once again sliding into a dark and uncertain chapter, even with Maduro now behind bars.” 

The chaos is continuing. Fears of civil war manifest themselves. Wars, violence and occupations never solve anything. 

Miller: We Are in Charge! 

Politico wrote on January 5: 

“White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller says the U.S. is in charge of Venezuela. ‘… we have the United States military stationed outside the country. We set the terms and conditions,’ Miller said. ‘We have a complete embargo on all of their oil and their ability to do commerce. So for them to do commerce, they need our permission.’” 

“It’s the Oil…” 

Fox News wrote on January 6: 

“President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the interim authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of ‘high-quality,’ sanctioned oil to the U.S… Trump said the oil will be sold at market price, and he will control the proceeds to ensure it is ‘used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!’” 

ABC News wrote on January 6: 

“The Trump administration has told Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez that the regime must meet the White House’s demands before being allowed to pump more oil… First, the country must kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties… Second, Venezuela must agree to partner exclusively with the U.S. on oil production and favor America when selling heavy crude oil…” 

ABC News wrote on January 7: 

“The U.S. on Wednesday seized… [off the coast of Europe] the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker… The U.S. on Wednesday also seized another tanker in the Caribbean… The Russian Ministry of Transport condemned the seizure of the oil tanker in the North Atlantic…” 

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the blockade of Venezuelan oil is in full effect and that no ship is safe anywhere in the world. 

Strategically Mad 

The Independent wrote on January 3: 

“What no one in the White House can see is that this invasion, this apparent political decapitation, this violation of international law, is strategically mad. Outside the White House and Magaland, the only cheering will be in the Kremlin and in Beijing. In Nato there will be horror…. 

“[Trump] said he would attack Venezuela’s mainland, and he has. His claim to be knocking over a narco-terrorist state that has exported vast quantities of opiates to the US, and killed hundreds of thousands of its citizens, is nonsense. Opiates get into the US from Mexico, not Venezuela. 

“As a premise for regime change and invasion, it is as false as the claims that Saddam Hussein was making a nuclear weapon. The invasion of that nation set off decades of pain and murder, terror and mayhem, and gave birth to Isis. It also tore at the fabric of Western democracies… 

“Now, Trump has attacked a neighbour without any international support. He has aped the behaviour of his great hero and friend, Vladimir Putin… mere anarchy is loosed upon the world…” 

America’s Past Failed Attempts 

National Post wrote on January 4, 2026 

“The United States has a really bad record when it comes to regime change. Time and again, it’s sought to oust foreign leaders and replace them with more favoured replacements…

“It was a disaster in Vietnam, at a horrendous cost in life. Cuba, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, … defeat, disappointment, debacle… Just four years ago, the Biden administration orchestrated the most recent example, before Saturday’s dramatic events in Venezuela. The hasty and chaotic retreat from Afghanistan damaged Biden’s image so badly he never really recovered… 

“There’s no dispute that Maduro has been a calamity for his country. By all the evidence, he’s been as grasping and pitiless a despot as you could find this side of Moscow. He’s been in power since 2013, holding onto office through a mix of corruption, violence and fixed elections, driving the economy into the ground, impoverishing millions and prompting a veritable stampede of desperate Venezuelans fleeing the country. No one outside his small circle of avaricious cronies is likely to miss him much. His support from Russia, China and Iran drew mainly from his ability to irritate the U.S… 

“If U.S. strategists have a well thought-out plan for supporting and advancing the shattered country Maduro leaves behind, they haven’t mentioned it beyond Trump’s assertion that ‘we’re going to run the country.’… There is no guarantee the Maduro establishment will disappear with him…. 

“Iraq remains host to 2,000 U.S. troops and an array of hostile armed militias loyal to Iran, with an insecure government caught between the two, struggling to avoid an explosion. More than a decade after its “liberation,” Libya is a divided country, riven by civil war, with competing warlords and rival governments at opposite ends of the country. Afghanistan, meanwhile, is back in the hands of the Taliban, 20 years and thousands of deaths after Washington and its allies set out to evict them…” 

“Emperor Trump’s Imperial Ambitions Should Send a Shiver Down the Spine of America’s Neighbors” 

On January 5, the Daily Mail published the following article by Andrew Neil: 

“… when Trump says, ‘We are going to run the country [Venezuela] now’, there is not only cause for concern but reason to fear for the worst… He has put no time limit on how long he plans to be Venezuela’s imperator… Venezuela faces the prospect of moving from being a domestic dictatorship to a US colony.

“… it was especially chilling to hear Trump so easily dismiss the hugely respected Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s main opposition leader, a centre-Right democratic heroine and last year’s winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. He claimed that she lacked the ‘support’ or ‘respect’ of the people, which is palpable nonsense… Clearly – and absurdly – it still rankles that she won the Nobel Peace Prize, not him. It is beyond pathetic…

“Venezuela’s regime has not changed. Maduro has gone but the government is still in the hands of his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, a hardline socialist surrounded by Maduro’s nastiest enforcers… Just how Trump thinks he can wrestle power from her without a massive deployment of US boots on the ground – for which he has no mandate, not even from his own MAGA base, which abhors foreign interventions – is just one of many mysteries now surrounding Trump’s approach to Venezuela, a country of 28million people that is twice the size of California…”

Newsmax added on January 4: 

“President Donald Trump insisted Sunday the United States is ‘in charge’ of Venezuela… Asked whether the operation was about oil or regime change, Trump replied: ‘It’s about peace on earth.’… Trump said elections in Venezuela would have to wait… Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez said she was ready to work together… The Trump administration says it is willing to work with the remainder of Maduro’s government as long as Washington’s goals, particularly opening access to US investment in Venezuela’s enormous crude oil reserves, are met…” 

Threatening NATO 

Donald Trump wrote the following on January 7 on his Truth Social website: 

“Remember, for all of those big NATO fans, they were at 2% GDP, and most weren’t paying their bills, UNTIL I CAME ALONG… Remember, also, I single-handedly ENDED 8 WARS, and Norway, a NATO Member, foolishly chose not to give me the Noble Peace Prize… RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE ZERO FEAR OF NATO WITHOUT THE UNITED STATES, AND I DOUBT NATO WOULD BE THERE FOR US IF WE REALLY NEEDED THEM… We will always be there for NATO, even if they won’t be there for us…” 

This does not sound very reassuring… 

Threatening Cuba 

The Hill wrote on January 3:

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday warned Cuba’s leaders that ‘I’d be concerned’ following the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro…  The secretary accused Cuba of being ‘run by incompetent, senile men…’ He claimed Maduro’s guards and Venezuela’s ‘whole spy agency’ were ‘full of Cubans,’ and that ‘this poor island took over Venezuela.’” 

Threatening Mexico and Colombia 

The Daily Beast wrote on January 3: 

“President Donald Trump has hinted that the surprise abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro may not be his last operation in Latin America. Trump, 79, suggested on Fox & Friends Saturday that action could be taken against Mexico… which he said is run by drug cartels—a similar allegation he made against Maduro and Venezuela. ‘Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico,’ he said. 

“Trump then issued an even more explicit threat to Colombia, which borders Venezuela to the west, and its president, Gustavo Petro, during a Mar-a-Lago news conference. ‘I stick by my first statement. He’s making cocaine,’ Trump said of Petro. ‘They’re sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his a–.’ 

“Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico… immediately condemned Trump’s attack on Venezuela…” 

Focus wrote on January 3: 

“Spain and a number of Latin American states [Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay] have [in a joint statement] condemned the US operation to arrest the authoritarian head of state Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela…” 

German and European Reactions 

Die Welt wrote on January 3: 

“The German government expressed concern regarding the US military intervention… The chairwoman of the EU Parliament’s Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), condemned the attack… 

“The attack was also ‘a warning from Trump to Denmark and Greenland as well’: He was showing what he was prepared to do if he didn’t get what he wanted voluntarily… The SPD foreign policy expert Adis Ahmetovic sharply criticized the US attack on Venezuela…” 

The Huffington Post wrote on January 3: 

“RODERICH KIESEWETTER, PROMINENT MP FROM GERMANY’S CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION: ‘With President Trump, the U.S. are abandoning the rules-based order that has shaped us since 1945.’ ‘The coup in Venezuela marks a return to the old U.S. doctrine from before 1940: a mindset of thinking in terms of spheres of influence, where the law of force rules, not international law. Trump is destroying what was left of any trust in the U.S.’ 

“BRITAIN’S REFORM UK PARTY LEADER NIGEL FARAGE: ‘The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law – but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing.’ 

“ITALIAN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER GIUSEPPE CONTE: ‘The American aggression against Venezuela has no legal basis. We are facing a blatant violation of international law, which certifies the dominance of the strongest and best equipped militarily… I hope that the entire international community will make its voice heard and that everyone will understand that if rules only apply to enemies and not to friends, no one can feel safe anymore.’” 

Merz Too Timid 

Deutschlandfunk reported on January 4: 

“After the Chancellor and CDU leader [Friedrich] Merz spoke of a complex legal assessment that would require time, Vice-Chancellor Klingbeil of the SPD declared that the fact that Maduro had led an authoritarian regime could not justify disregarding international law. This also applied to the actions of the USA. 

“Direct criticism of Merz’s statement came from the Greens.  Parliamentary group leader Dröge expressed her incomprehension that the Chancellor had not clearly described the US operation as a violation of international law.  Avoiding the issue in this situation would be a fatal strategy.” 

Bild Online wrote on January 4: 

“CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn expressed a similarly reserved view of the US strike against Venezuela as Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU).” 

Merz and Spahn act again as proverbial chameleons. But they won’t be able to continue doing this for much longer, as the anger in Germany against America gets stronger and stronger. Note the next commentary.

Don’t Dismiss Trump’s Threats 

Bild Online published the following commentary by Paul Ronzheimer and Filipp Platov on January 4: 

“Europe urgently needs to understand the messages emanating from this historic day… Whether in Iran or Venezuela: Donald Trump is making it clear that he is prepared to use his military when it comes to American interests… Trump won’t even consult us [Europeans] before taking action… 

“It must be clear: If the Americans… want to strengthen the ‘resistance’ against the EU in order to politically transform our continent, then it would be naive to dismiss this as an empty threat… If Europe does not learn to defend and assert its own interests, it risks becoming a sphere of influence for foreign powers.” 

This Will End Badly 

ntv wrote on January 3: 

“…the goal was not only Maduro’s arrest, but also control of the country and its oil…  After the disaster the US caused in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, there was generally a consensus in the West that it’s best to stay away from regime-change wars. Now the most erratic US president in living memory is trying his hand at it. In his boundless vanity, Trump apparently thinks he will succeed where others have failed. This will end badly.” 

Canada Beware! 

On January 3, Focus published the following comments from US expert Josef Braml: 

“The Monroe Doctrine, formulated in the 19th century to keep European colonial powers at bay, essentially means today that the US claims dominance over the so-called Western Hemisphere.  Originally, this primarily referred to South America. However, Trump has updated and adapted the doctrine. And I’m not sure if he still only means South America. So, if you live in Canada or Greenland, you should definitely start giving this some thought… 

“During the so-called peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, it was clear that both Putin and Trump wanted to divide up business interests over the heads of the Ukrainians and the Europeans… America has become a threat to world peace, and incidentally, also to Europe, if you consider Greenland.” 

Threatening Greenland 

CBS News wrote on January 4: 

“Denmark on Sunday made its displeasure known after the wife of one of President Trump’s most influential aides posted a social media picture of Greenland painted in the colors of the United States flag. Katie Miller — wife of Mr. Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller – put the contentiously altered image of the Danish autonomous territory on her X feed late Saturday, hours after the U.S. military operation against Venezuela. Her post had a single word above it: ‘SOON.’… 

“Mr. Trump has repeatedly made clear that he wants Greenland to become an annexed part of the United States… Stephen Miller is widely seen as the architect of much of Mr. Trump’s policies, guiding the president on his hardline immigration policies and domestic agenda…. (Stephen Miller is perceived as one of the most dangerous and radical politicians in the Trump Administration.) 

“In Greenland’s case, Mr. Trump has claimed that making the Danish territory part of the United States would serve U.S. national security interests, given its strategic location in the Arctic. Greenland is also rich in key critical minerals used in high-tech sectors. Katie Miller was deputy press secretary under Mr. Trump at the Department of Homeland Security during his first term.” 

On Sunday, Trump repeated his threat, saying, “We need Greenland, definitely.”

Trump Wants Greenland 

t-online reported on January 5: 

“Trump wants Greenland – and is putting Denmark and the inhabitants of the Arctic island on high alert.  For the Greenlanders, one thing is clear: ‘We have to prepare for the worst.’…  For Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, there is no doubt that Trump is serious… ‘if the USA attacks another NATO country, then everything stops.’ Trump had not ruled out the use of military force in Greenland in the past.” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 5: 

“Trump has framed his interest as a matter of national security, claiming Greenland is ‘surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.’ That assertion is false… Greenland does, however, possess vast untapped natural resources, including oil and critical minerals — a similarity it shares with Venezuela…   

“European leaders could make clear what is at stake: the collapse of NATO, the closure of US bases in Europe, and potential sanctions on US companies operating in the EU… The case of Venezuela underscores just how unpredictable the US president can be. As 2026 gets underway, European leaders are bracing for a difficult year…” 

The Telegraph wrote on January 5: “If we can’t defend Greenland, Europe is truly finished.” 

Miller Questions Denmark’s Territorial Claim

Daily Mail wrote on January 5: 

“Stephen Miller stunned US allies and rattled NATO on Monday night after flatly declaring that Greenland ‘should be part of the United States’ – and insisting that no country would dare fight Washington over the Arctic territory’s future… Instead, he challenged Denmark’s sovereignty over the island. 

“‘What is the basis of their territorial claim?’ Miller asked. [He also said: “The real question is by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?”] ‘What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?’” 

Shoot First, Ask Questions Later 

The Telegraph wrote on January 7: 

“[The] Danish defence ministry confirms 1952 rule of engagement requiring soldiers to attack invading forces, following [the] threat from [the] US… Danish soldiers will be required to shoot first and ask questions later if the United States invades Greenland, under the army’s rules of engagement…” 

Rubio backpedaled and said the USA is going to buy Greenland. But Greenland has already said, they are not for sale. Further, the White House said again that military action is always an option. 

On January 4, Bild Online published a list of countries and areas which have been threatened by Trump, including: Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Greenland and Iran. They could have added Europe (Germany), Canada and Panama (for now). 

Trump Declares the World Open Season 

t-online wrote on January 5: 

“Under Donald Trump… what was considered unthinkable for decades is changing. A US president is openly abandoning the international order… Trump offered no justifications for his actions… For him, alliances do not entail any strategic obligations.  In his view, they are, in most cases, bad deals. He considers institutions… a burdensome constraint on America. Trump violates norms and radically questions them. 

“…Trump is exerting pressure to eliminate regulations in the European Union that are burdensome for US companies… He relies solely on selective withdrawal from international institutions and on the aggressive exercise of American power. 

“…This development presents other states, particularly the Europeans, with a crucial challenge… They must jointly develop their own economic and military strength in order to defend themselves. Otherwise, they will be left with nothing but moralizing commentary, which amounts to surrender.” 

Steve Bannon’s Stunning Attack on Trump in Light of Trump’s Iranian Threats 

Mediaite wrote on January 2: 

“MAGA media personality and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon compared President Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton in a scathing attack on his old boss on Friday. During a discussion about Trump’s threat to use the U.S. military to come to the defense of Iranian civilians protesting against the brutal Islamist regime in charge of their country, Bannon expressed his strong disapproval. ‘Aren’t people teasing right now that Samantha Powers [sic] and Hillary Clinton must somehow have gotten invited to the Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve celebration because the president coming out today saying, “Hey, we’re locked and loaded [towards Iran],” isn’t that straight from the Samantha Powers and Hillary Clinton playbook?’ asked Bannon. 

“At another point during Friday’s edition of his show, War Room, Bannon argued:… ‘Let the Persian people take care of this. You can’t intrude on this thing. The more you intrude, the more the Mullahs are gonna dig in and say, “This is the great Satan that’s doing this,” and you’re gonna have a bigger and longer mess than you can have. You’ve got the opportunity right now for the people in Persia to overthrow these demons, right? Let them get on with it. The Persians have been around a long time. They know how to do it, they did it in ’79.’ 

“Trump’s threat… read, ‘If Iran [shoots] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.’” 

Trump did not explain HOW he would come to their rescue. But if Venezuela is a guide… Interestingly, Bannon supported Trump’s strike on Venezuela. 

Angela Merkel Established Lasting Authoritarianism in Germany Because of Corona 

Apollo News published the following commentary by Max Roland on December 10: 

“Baden-Württemberg’s Minister-President Kretschmann is awarding Merkel a [medal of merit] for her actions during the Corona period.  One couldn’t mock accountability any better… 

“Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have already bestowed honors on the former Chancellor – now Baden-Württemberg has followed suit. On Tuesday, Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann awarded Merkel the Staufer Medal, an award given by the Minister-President for ‘services to Baden-Württemberg.’ 

“… Kretschmann has a very special justification for this: Merkel’s actions during the Corona period. In his laudatory speech, Kretschmann praised the CDU politician for ‘her decisive, prudent, and effective leadership as Federal Chancellor during this crisis.’  According to the Green Party politician, Merkel’s effective actions prevented significantly higher numbers [of cases/deaths]. He particularly praised her ‘consistently clear and coherent argumentation.’ 

“She didn’t deserve a medal for this, but rather the opposite.  She certainly didn’t do anyone a service with her policies – neither Baden-Württemberg nor Germany as a whole. On the contrary: Corona was the birth of the authoritarian state, and Merkel was its midwife. 

“Merkel turned the executive branch into an established instrument of power: Since the founding of the Federal Republic, no chancellor has governed the country as autocratically as Merkel did during the Corona pandemic. Parliament was sidelined, power was not democratically controlled, but centralized in the Chancellery – within the framework of an executive committee… Now one might say that it was all an exceptional situation – but the way politics was conducted during this exceptional situation cannot be excused by any pandemic in the world. 

“This is also evident in how often the last remaining boundaries of the law and the Basic Law were actually crossed. Merkel’s curfews? Illegal and unconstitutional. Blanket restrictions on the freedom of demonstration and assembly? Unconstitutional. Even the general mask mandates, lacking evidence, did not stand up in court. All of this was characteristic of Merkel, and apparently, none of it mattered. The end justified the means – that was Corona… 

“Winfried Kretschmann was right at the forefront of this policy, the empowerment of those who violated fundamental rights and disregarded the constitution – for him, the measures couldn’t be harsh enough. Evidence and proportionality? At best, secondary considerations. Merkel thought the same way, and she acted accordingly… 

“Measures soon became an end in themselves.  No one really questioned the purpose of a curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.: it simply had to be implemented… And the right to demonstrate? That, too, was simply overridden; protests were sometimes prevented with brutal force. 

“Whether the total exclusion of the unvaccinated was truly justifiable or not, or whether it was a fundamental transgression for a liberal-democratic state – no one considered that either, because ‘the unvaccinated’ were to blame themselves, as Merkel also conveyed…” 

“Being German means seeing something through completely and ruthlessly for its own sake, even at the risk of significant losses – in this respect, Angela Merkel was very German. The damage her coronavirus policies have caused has not even begun to be acknowledged, let alone addressed. Those responsible saw and still see it, at best, as collateral damage. After all, the goal was to ‘save lives.’ 

“How many lives were saved – and how many were ruined? The fact that this question is no longer even being asked is Merkel’s achievement:… The politics of the strong hand, which keeps the country firmly under control. And woe to anyone who doesn’t toe the line. 

“Merkel’s coronavirus policy has established authoritarianism as a political blueprint in the Federal Republic of Germany.  Instead of a critical review, she receives awards?… This sends a fatal signal for an overreaching, authoritarian state and all the corresponding tendencies that we are still experiencing after the pandemic. It sends a fatal signal to a society that has not yet overcome the divisions of the coronavirus era – divisions largely caused by Merkel – and will never do so as a result.” 

Merkel’s appalling example was supported by the likes of Jens Spahn, and in the USA, by the likes of Joe Biden, Gavin Newsom and Anthony Fauci. There has not been any accounting in this regard either. So again, the guilty remain free, and may be preparing for another coup.   

Germany’s Agenda for 2026 

Deutsche Welle wrote on January 1, 2026: 

“At the beginning of 2026, young people in Germany aged 18 and over will receive mail from the government. Men must then complete the enclosed questionnaire, while women can do so voluntarily. The questions will focus on personal details, educational qualifications and other competences, as well as willingness to perform military service. Participation in a medical examination to assess their overall health and fitness will be mandatory. 

“The government is counting on finding enough volunteers to increase the number of Bundeswehr soldiers from approximately 184,000 now to between 255,000 and 270,000 over the next decade, and to increase the number of reservists to 200,000. If all this does not work on a voluntary basis, the government will move to reinstate conscription, which has been suspended since 2011… 

“The… AfD… is already the strongest opposition party in the Bundestag. With several regional elections scheduled for 2026, it’s expected to do well. In [some] eastern German states…,  the AfD is currently polling around 40%… if the AfD becomes the strongest party by a wide margin in [some] states, will the promise made by the conservative CDU to never cooperate with the AfD hold true? Both elections are not until September, but they will dominate the debates about how to deal with the AfD until then. State elections in [some] western states… will kick off an exciting election year in March… 

“The issue of migration will continue to be high on the agenda in 2026… Germany is now pursuing a tough policy toward irregular immigrants… so-called ‘return centers’ are now planned again in countries outside the European Union, even though previous attempts… have not been successful…” 

Some hot potatoes. And Germany does not look good in regard to any of them. It should be noted that the AfD is for compulsory military service, as a sign of “patriotism.”

“The German Armed Forces Must Become Europe’s Strongest Army” 

ntv reported on January 3: 

“The CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag wants to transform the German Armed Forces into the strongest conventional army in Europe… [They] envision equipping the Bundeswehr with, among other things, cruise missiles, long-range drones, and small, inexpensive guided missiles.  The development of its own hypersonic missiles is also planned. The goal, they say, is to build ‘a European arsenal of long-range conventional precision weapons’ that ‘can strike the enemy deep in their territory’… 

“Based on the experiences of the war in Ukraine, the German armed forces should become ‘a true drone army.’  They should be equipped with at least 100,000 drones, whose effectiveness should be enhanced through the use of artificial intelligence and ‘space-based capabilities’… To protect Germany, an air defense system similar to the Israeli ‘Iron Dome’ missile defense system is planned, with at least 2,000 interceptor missiles. 

“According to the plans, the Baltic Sea is to be made ‘completely transparent’ through real-time monitoring. Specifically, ‘cost-effective unmanned underwater drones’ are to ‘patrol large areas’ for this purpose.” 

…and they don’t know what they are talking about… 

How Would a European Army Fare Against Russia? 

Le Figaro wrote on January 1, 2026: 

“After Ukraine, could Russia decide to attack Europe? Vladimir Putin recently reiterated that he had no intention of doing so. However, the 2025 National Strategic Review, an official document that guides French defense policy, states in black and white that ‘by 2030, the main threat to France and Europeans is the risk of open warfare against the heart of Europe.’ 

“In the meantime, Europe intends to accelerate its rearmament and strengthen its defense industry. In the event of a confrontation, how would its combined military forces fare against Russia’s? Such is the question addressed by experts at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) in a study entitled ‘Europe-Russia: Assessment of the Balance of Power.’… Ifri aggregated the personnel and equipment of all European NATO member countries, i.e., 23 EU states and seven other European countries, excluding Turkey… 

“In terms of a land confrontation, Russia has the advantage in numbers. Its ground forces are estimated at around 950,000 soldiers, compared to 750,000 for the European countries of NATO… 

“In terms of aerospace,… Europe has a clear superiority over Russia, both quantitatively and qualitatively… At sea, Europe has an ‘indisputable qualitative advantage’ thanks to its hundred or so large surface vessels — three times more than the Russian navy… Moscow’s great strength lies in its submarines, a ‘serious threat’ given Europe’s ‘limited’ anti-submarine capabilities… 

“Another area of confrontation is space. Here, the balance of power is ‘more nuanced,’ notes Ifri. Russia inherited a large fleet of military satellites from the USSR, exceeding that of Europe (100 to 60)… But Europe has enjoyed a satellite navigation system that is… ‘certainly superior’ to the Russian GLONASS system… 

“Russia, a ‘nuclear superpower,’ has approximately 1,700 strategic nuclear warheads deployed and approximately 2,600 in reserve, according to the authors of the study. This ‘plethora’ of weapons is intended, in Russia’s view, to ensure its ‘escalation superiority.’ In response to this, most European countries benefit from the United States’ so-called ‘extended’ nuclear deterrence, which takes the form of nuclear sharing agreements and the stationing of around 100 B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs. 

“This bulwark is complemented by the arsenal of the two independent nuclear powers in Europe, France and the United Kingdom, which have ‘several hundred strategic warheads each.’ However, ‘if the credibility of the United States’ extended deterrence were to be seriously undermined or prove to be failing, Europe would suffer […] from a strategic imbalance with Russia,’ warns Ifri.” 

But Europe will first attack the USA and the UK, before fighting a war with Russia. 

Chinese Dictatorship and Aggression 

Breitbart wrote on January 2: 

“Xi Jinping proclaimed that the Chinese… and the nation of Taiwan ‘share a bond of blood and kinship,’ insisting that China’s colonization of Taiwan was ‘unstoppable’ in an address to mark the new year… Xi also emphasized the importance of Beijing imposing itself on Hong Kong… ‘We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship. The reunification of our motherland… is unstoppable!’ Xi declared. Xi also celebrated his government’s destructive policies towards the indigenous people of Tibet and East Turkistan… 

“Xi has spearheaded an ongoing campaign of genocide against the indigenous Turkic people of East Turkistan, in particular the local Uyghur population, fueled by mass forced sterilization, the imprisoning of millions in concentration camps, and state-sponsored slavery. In Tibet, Xi has effectively outlawed Tibetan ethnic identity, including banning Tibetan Buddhism… Tibetans have also, on a slightly smaller scale, been forced into labor camps…” 

China’s goals are blatantly obvious. 

Mamdani New York Mayor 

Breitbart wrote on January 1: 

“Socialist Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of office as he placed his hand on the Islamic Quran in a private ceremony. In doing so Mamdani, a Democrat, was confirmed as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city. 

“The strictly invitation-only gathering [was] overseen by New York Attorney General Letitia James… AP further reports the immigrant from Uganda will be sworn in again, in much grander style, in a public ceremony at City Hall… by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the mayor’s confessed political heroes.” 

What a gathering of controversial left-wing politicians! 

Mamdani Revokes Orders Protecting Israel 

Fox News added on January 2: 

“Israel tore into New York City Mayor… Mamdani after he revoked a pair of executive orders signed by former Mayor Eric Adams that supported the Jewish state [and which were created to fight Antisemitism.].  

“‘On his very first day as New York City mayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel,’ Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X. ‘This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.’…

“Mamdani has repeatedly described Israel as an apartheid state, accused it of committing genocide in Gaza, and said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested..” 

Whatever happened to the “friendly” meeting between Trump and Mamdani at the White House? What a joke that was! Mamdani said he called Trump to voice his strong disagreement with America’s invasion of Venezuela. 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Iran at War With USA and Europe

Newsmax wrote on December 27:

“Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran is at war with the West and Israel. ‘In my opinion, we are in a full-fledged war with America, Israel, and Europe; they do not want our country to stand on its feet,’ he said Saturday…

“Pezeshkian said the West’s war against Iran is ‘more complicated and more difficult’ compared to the 1980-88 war with Iraq that left more than 1 million casualties on both sides. ‘In the war with Iraq, the situation was clear: they fired missiles, and I also knew where to hit. Here, they are besieging us from every aspect, they are putting us in difficulty and constraint, creating problems – in terms of livelihood, culturally, politically, and security-wise – while raising society’s expectations,’ he said… 

“The remarks came two days before a planned meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during which Iran is expected to be a key topic in the talks. Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran that came during a 12-day air war in June killed nearly 1,100 Iranians including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Retaliatory missile barrages by Iran killed 28 in Israel.” 

The New York Post added on December 27: 

“Iran’s president declared they were in a ‘total war’ with the US, Israel and Europe, just as Tehran looks to rebuild its nuclear capabilities and strengthen ties with Hamas… 

“As tensions between the Middle Eastern rivals ramps up, a Tehran-backed candidate is also likely to win a major election to a leading role with Hamas… al-Hayya is considered to be close to Iran, according to those same sources who told the outlet he would have a clearly adversarial stance toward Israel — as a tenuous Gaza peace deal hangs in the balance… 

“Israeli sources claim that the Islamic Republic is repairing its air defense systems and rebuilding its ballistic missile program… Netanyahu remains skeptical of the plan to demilitarize Gaza…” 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was widely considered by the USA and the EU as a moderate-reformist, promising more social freedoms (like women’s hijab choice), better nuclear talks, and economic relief.

Europe Shifts Away From USA and Israel 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on December 29: 

“… the US, Israel, and Europe, the ones listed as enemies by Iran, should all be friends. But the truth is that they are not all friends… The US and Israel are certainly openly, publicly, and historically the best of friends on the international stage… It is Europe that is the problematic part of the equation…

“The Iranian President does not have a proper understanding of Europe. Europe is not merely moving further and further away from the US and Israel in terms of diplomacy, doctrine, and politics, but also because Europe is moving closer and closer towards Iran… Europe has fallen into an abyss. Europe has become a branch, an extension, of Islam – and it has a name. Today, there is a phenomenon that is referred to as European Islam… Europe is more and more rapidly, and more and more evidently, shifting away from alliances with the US and, even more so, with Israel. Because their population is shifting toward Islam. 

“The US is also shifting. The obvious example is the American political stage. What began with the election of several openly pro-Islam members of Congress blossomed into the election of New York City’s Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The election of Mamdani is a classic example of not just a shift in American politics, but also of the move away from Israel… 

“The metropolitan area of Paris is estimated to be around 10–15% Muslim, with higher concentrations in certain suburbs. London is estimated to be around 12–15% Muslim, with much higher percentages in the areas of Tower Hamlets and Newham. Birmingham is estimated to be 20–22% Muslim. Manchester has about 15–16% Muslims. Brussels is estimated to be around 20–25% Muslim. Marseille is about 25–30%. Rotterdam is about 20–25% Muslim. Amsterdam has around a 15–25% Muslim population. The Hague & Utrecht have around a 13–15% Muslim population.

Berlin is around 9–12% Muslim. Cologne is around 10–12%. Vienna around 10–12%. Copenhagen is about 10%. Stockholm & Malmö each have around 15–20% Muslims…

“The dream of Muslim revolutionaries is to generate influence in the West and then take over. They want to flip the world into a Muslim oriented society. The fulfilment of that dream necessitates a shift away from the US and especially away from Israel.” 

Europe is prophesied to shift away from Islam, but their disassociation from the USA and Israel will continue.

Time to Ditch U.S. Aid

Israel 365 News wrote on December 24:

“Israel is on the verge of a decision that could fundamentally alter its relationship with the United States—and the world… The idea of ending $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military aid might sound unthinkable, but Israel has reached a point where it no longer needs to rely on the U.S. to maintain its security. 

“The country’s defense industry is more self-sufficient than ever, capable of developing cutting-edge technology and securing international contracts without U.S. support. And yet, for years, American aid has come with a price: U.S. influence over Israel’s strategic decisions. From the Sinai withdrawal in 1979 to the Iran nuclear deal, American aid has been tied to political concessions, shaping the very direction of Israeli policy… 

“The question is whether Israel can afford to cut this tie. After all, the U.S. has been a powerful ally, and the aid has undoubtedly strengthened Israel’s military. But there’s another side to this coin. The dependence on U.S. military assistance has limited Israel’s autonomy, forcing it to align with American policies that don’t always serve its best interests. Israel’s defense decisions, at times, have been dictated by the conditions of foreign aid, leaving it vulnerable to political pressure.

“It’s time for Israel to make its own decisions, without needing Washington’s approval. The country has proven its ability to thrive without the U.S. at its side, from securing billions in defense contracts with countries like Germany and Greece to developing some of the most advanced military technologies in the world… 

“There will be fierce resistance, particularly from the U.S. military-industrial complex, which benefits greatly from the current arrangement. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon rely on the billions in defense contracts that U.S. aid provides. But for Israel, cutting this financial dependency would mean regaining control over its strategic decisions and no longer being beholden to outside pressures. 

“It’s time for Israel to stop borrowing security from the U.S. and start building its own future—one where it can act without fear of being manipulated, and where its defense decisions are its own to make.” 

Building the Temple 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 25, 2025: 

“Against the backdrop of the change in policy on the Temple Mount, Finance Minister (RZP) Bezalel Smotrich spoke to thousands of participants at a conference marking the anniversary of Rabbi Kook’s passing on Sunday. Smotrich spoke twice during the event, which took place at the Jerusalem International Convention Center. His first speech in the afternoon addressed the ongoing war. 

“When Smotrich took the stage for a second time, in front of the thousands of people present, Smotrich smiled at Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and said, ‘I will give the money, you will build the Temple.’ The crowd burst into laughter, and sources who were there told Walla that Smotrich said it ‘as a joke’… In response, Lion replied to Smotrich: ‘You are the best finance minister Jerusalem has ever had.’ 

“… it comes at a time when there is, in fact, a de facto shift in the policy surrounding the Temple Mount.”

Trade War Between China and EU Continues

Reuters wrote on December 22:

“China will impose provisional duties of up to 42.7% on dairy products imported from the European Union, the latest in a series of measures against EU exports widely seen as retaliation for the bloc’s electric vehicle tariffs… 

“Trade tensions with the EU erupted in 2023 when the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made electric vehicles. It imposed tariffs in October 2024. In apparent retaliation, Beijing has imposed measures on imports of EU brandy, pork and now dairy… China imported $589 million of dairy products… in 2024…”

Russia Supports China

ntv reported on December 28: 

“Russia has demonstratively sided with its ally China in international conflicts. The government in Moscow rejects Taiwan’s independence in any form and considers the island an inseparable part of China, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a published statement.

“Democratically governed Taiwan is considered a breakaway province by the People’s Republic of China. President Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of force to reintegrate the island. The US supports Taiwan and has warned against military action.” 

Trump Administration Acknowledges Birth of Christ in Christmas Messages 

Breitbart wrote on December 26: 

“Several agencies and Trump administration officials acknowledged the birth of Jesus Christ in several Christmas messages… ‘Rejoice America, Christ is born!’ DHS wrote in a post on X, which also included a video with the song, ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.’ 

“‘Merry Christmas to all,’ [Secretary of War Pete] Hegseth wrote in a post on X. ‘Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May His light bring peace, hope, and joy to you and our families.’ 

“‘Merry Christmas and aloha from our family to yours,’ [Director of National Intelligence] Gabbard wrote in a post on X. ‘May we spend this day and every day remembering Jesus Christ and following his message to us all: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like unto it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39).’ 

“‘The joyous message of Christmas is the hope of Eternal Life through Christ,’ Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in a post on X. ‘Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season filled with hope and peace.’… 

‘‘Praise God!’ one person wrote. ‘I vote for my government to promote the true religion.’” 

What a mockery of the concept of true love, true peace, and the true God.

Trump’s Destruction of the Old World Order

On December 27, The Daily Mail published the following remarkable article by Andrew Neil:

“This was the year the old world order ended. The order that had defeated Nazi Germany, the greatest evil the modern world has known, then went on to see off Soviet communism – the other great evil of the age 

“The order that rebuilt – from the carnage, ruins and dictatorships of the Second World War – prosperous Western European democracies. Then embraced the new democracies of Eastern Europe as they threw off their communist yoke. 

“The order that, for all its many lapses in living up to its principles, placed liberal democracy, human rights and the prosperity of the people at the core of its purpose, leading to the greatest rise in global living standards these past eight decades the world has ever known…

“The old order was no doubt in need of a reboot, a recalibration, a refocusing for the 21st century. Instead, it is being swept away, for no good reason, by an American president with no knowledge of history, little grasp of geopolitics and scant regard for the principles of democracy and freedom which made the world a safer place the more they were adopted across the globe.

“A president… whose only concern is furthering the narrow, short-term interest of an isolationist America… It is the ruthless, unprincipled application to foreign policy… in which everything is reduced to a ‘deal’ and nothing matters but power, money, success and self-interest – attitudes that mark the death knell of an old world order…

“To be replaced by what? We do not yet know for sure. No doubt the coming year will improve our comprehension of what is in store. Those contours that we can already discern are not encouraging.

“Next year will hasten America’s retreat from Europe, which will increasingly be left to its own devices, as President Trump focuses his attention and American power on the Western Hemisphere – where he has imperial ambitions.

“That is why, as 2025 draws to an end, he has assembled a massive armada off the coast of Venezuela. The pretext is a crackdown on drug-smugglers speeding towards America in high-powered boats. The real goal, of course, is to topple Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, whose regime has impoverished the country, even though it sits on the biggest oil reserves in the world.

“The US Navy is now seizing tankers carrying Venezuelan crude oil exports, which account for 90 per cent of Maduro’s revenues. The loss of these funds would be catastrophic for the man in Caracas…

“But there is a further, so far unspoken, purpose to Trump’s Caribbean military adventure: his aim is also to bring down the flailing communist regime in Cuba, which is just as much an economic basket case as Venezuela…

“If Trump could bring down both regimes early in 2026 he would regard it as vindication of his new emphasis on increasing US power in its own backyard. His aim is to surround America with governments that will do its bidding. He’s already achieved that in Panama… Trump has indicated Colombia could be next if Venezuela falls.

“Argentina is already in hock to Washington, with $20 billion of US support for its currency. Canada will remain under pressure to fall in line with whatever is Trump’s latest whim. Even Greenland is still in his sights. He’s just appointed a new envoy who has described his job as ‘a volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US’. The Danes, under whose control Greenland falls, are increasingly nervous.

“The more Trump concentrates on his own backyard, the more the US retreat from Europe will gather pace. I find it astonishing that European leaders have still to grasp the immensity of the geopolitical shift that is now under way.

“It isn’t just that the European leg of Nato can no longer count on US military when the chips are down – the fact is that Trump’s America is no longer even on our side, a harsh reality that will become apparent as next year unfolds…

“The coming year will see the effective end of US financial and military aid to Ukraine. It already started to dry up this year. If Europe means what it says about standing by Ukraine then, in 2026, it will have to become Europe’s war, without American back-up. Despite all the supportive rhetoric it is by no means clear Europe’s leaders are up for this…

“I have little hope of peace breaking out in Ukraine. No Ukrainian leader could accept what President Putin wants: to consolidate his grip on the east; place severe limits on the size of free Ukraine’s military; replace President Zelensky with a leader more disposed to the Kremlin – then wait for the rest of Ukraine to fall into his lap. Patience has always been a key ingredient of Russian strategy.

“Although Putin is the real roadblock to peace, the Russian dictator knows Trump will blame Ukraine (and its European backers) for the lack of progress. He expects Trump to throw his toys out of the pram in frustration sometime in the first half of 2026 and depart the scene, saying it’s now on Europe to handle the conflict while he doubles down on the Western Hemisphere.

“This will hand the advantage to Putin, which is why 2026 is so dangerous… Russian cyber-attacks and sabotage in Europe, which increased this year, will become endemic next year. Russian drones have recently flown over Poland, Germany and Denmark, causing civilian airports to shut.

“These ‘grey-zone’ provocations will intensify next year, designed to intimidate Europe into loosening its commitment to Ukraine. In the next 12 months we will discover if Europe has the backbone to resist them…

“[Trump’s] presidency is now being rocked by a cost-of-living crisis. His MAGA movement is now gripped by low-intensity civil war. The bookies reckon there’s an 80 per cent chance the Republicans will lose the House come the November mid-term elections. That would limit his scope for mischief. But the modern US imperial presidency has plenty of room for maneuver, especially in foreign policy.

“I expect Trump to be as active as ever on that front in 2026. There is talk in the White House of bringing the Kremlin in from the economic cold with a spate of US-Russian energy deals, perhaps even a joint carve-up of Ukrainian resources… I’ve even heard top aides muse about a new world order in Trump’s image. America dominant and unchallenged in the Western Hemisphere. But calling the shots in the rest of the world through a new alliance of America, Russia, China, India and perhaps even Japan (now with a Trump-style leader).

“Europe, of course, is nowhere in any of these plans. If, in 2026, it doesn’t at last dawn on Europe (including Britain) that we’re on our own then I doubt it ever will – at least not before it’s too late.”

An interesting article with insightful comments. But Europe will wake up to reality, and it will emerge as an incredible economic and military power surpassing the USA.

“False Smiles at the Trump Summit”

On December 29, Bild Online published the following commentary by Paul Ronzheimer:

“One day after the summit in Mar-a-Lago, one thing is clear above all: Vladimir Putin (73) remains unyielding on the crucial issues. He is not budging an inch in the negotiations. The friendly atmosphere of the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy cannot disguise the fact that nothing has changed regarding the fundamental positions.

“A Ukrainian government insider told BILD: ‘We can hold countless meetings and have dozens of phone calls, but one thing remains unchanged: Putin wants the entire Donbas – and much more. He has nowhere clearly stated that he wants peace.’…

“A Ukrainian diplomat familiar with the talks told BILD: ‘After phone calls with Putin, we always experience the same pattern. Trump subsequently reverts to the Russian maximalist demands – even though he had previously shown considerable understanding. How are we supposed to agree to a peace that is effectively tantamount to surrender?’…”

“While Europe will be involved, it remains unclear whether European states would be willing to take real military risks – especially in light of Russian threats to consider Western troops as legitimate targets…

“In Ukraine, there is unity within the government and the military: nothing indicates that Putin is willing to make genuine compromises. A Ukrainian military officer told BILD: ‘The intensity of the Russian attacks on all fronts speaks volumes.’”

“Sounds Good, But It’s Not Enough!”

Bild Online wrote on December 29:

“The meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday at Trump’s luxury resort Mar-a-Lago raised high expectations – and at the same time left many doubts.

“While it did bring some movement to the negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine, there can be no talk of a breakthrough.”

Welt Online wrote on December 29:

“The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy ended without any discernible breakthrough…”

Thorniest Issues Unresolved

The Sun wrote on December 29:

“The thorniest issue yet to be resolved is land, the US president said, but security guarantees to end the war were ‘95 per cent done.’ Trump told the Ukrainian leader: ‘You’re better off making a deal now.’

“He said: “I think the land you’re talking about, some of that land has been taken. Some of that land is maybe up for grabs, but it may be taken over the next period of a number of months…’”

Trump Wants to Destroy Europe?

Express wrote on December 29: 

“Russia believes Donald Trump wants to ‘destroy Europe’ as the President sparks criticism for his handling of peace talks with Ukraine.  Media in Moscow is hailing Trump’s stance, with the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda saying: ‘America no longer sees our country as a threat. The threat is now a militaristic Europe… He sees Europe as a liberal stronghold that must be destroyed to Make America Great Again.’…’ 

“Russia Thanks Trump and Celebrates ‘Total Victory’ Over Ukraine” 

Express wrote on December 31: 

“Russian state media has claimed a victory over Ukraine after a Florida summer between Donald Trump and Volodimir Zelensky appears to have forced Ukraine into making concessions… 

“According to Russian broadcaster and noted Kremlin Propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, Moscow is delighted with how the meeting went, claiming it was all part of his country’s plan. Speaking on his evening show, Solovyov said: ‘We have achieved a knockout victory’… He also claimed that a call between Trump and Moscow took place shortly before the Ukrainian president landed. 

“Solovyov goes on to see that the phone call ‘completely destroyed Zelensky’s plans’… The broadcaster’s statements need to be taken with a grain of salt, but still give an insight into the optimism within the Kremlin for this deal to be weighed in Russia’s favour. 

“Their talk has worried many in Kiev, with Yuriy Boyechko, CEO and founder of Hope for Ukraine – a non-profit delivering humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukrainians – slamming Mr Trump’s approach as dangerously detached from reality. Mr Boyechko added: ‘This treats Putin as a co-partner whose approval is needed, signalling to Kyiv that peace will come on Moscow’s terms…’ 

“Concerns escalated at the joint press conference, where Mr Trump insisted Putin ‘wants to see the war end’ and was ‘very generous’ towards Ukraine succeeding, even pledging Russian help with reconstruction via cheap energy and electricity.” 

Trump is indeed dangerously detached from reality.  

Russia Prevents Peace 

Newsmax wrote on December 31: 

“Without adding any comment, President Donald Trump shared a New York Post opinion piece Wednesday that asserts that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ‘bluster’ shows that Russia, not Ukraine, is standing in the way of a peace agreement. The piece, posted on Trump’s Truth Social page Wednesday, accuses Putin of shedding ‘crocodile tears’ through claims that the Ukrainians had launched drones at one of his homes in an attempt to kill him. 

“The Post’s editorial board notes that Russia’s reporting came after Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago residence, where several compromises were reached on a peace plan… 

“‘It’s rich that Putin, who has waged a brutal war for nearly four years, believes that any violence in his vicinity merits special outrage,’ the Post noted. ‘After all, Russia launched 131 drones on Christmas at Kyiv and other cities, killing seven civilians.’ The publication also said an attack on Putin is ‘more than justified,’ considering the attempts made to assassinate Zelenskyy.  Further, the drone attack was not confirmed…” 

When the World Doesn’t End… 

ntv wrote on December 27: 

“It’s a story that repeats itself again and again: A (mostly) religious group announces a specific date for the end of the world.  The followers prepare themselves, quit their jobs, sell their houses, and say goodbye to friends. And then… nothing happens… 

“William Miller, a Baptist lay preacher from New York, had studied the Bible for years and developed a calculation: Based on the Book of Daniel and some of Jesus’ words from the Gospels, he concluded that Jesus Christ would return in 1844. His message spread like wildfire, and he gained many loyal followers. The so-called ‘Millerites’ were born. 

“In the months leading up to the supposed end of the world, which Miller finally scheduled for October 22, 1844, many of the believers prepared themselves for the end. People paid off their debts to stand ‘pure’ before God. Farmers left their fields unharvested, shopkeepers gave away their goods—why accumulate supplies, why earn money, if everything was going to be over soon anyway?  Consequently, the despair was great when, on October 23, the sun simply rose as it did every other day… 

“Hiram Edson, one of Miller’s most devoted followers, had a revelation ‘the day after’: The date was correct, but the event had been misunderstood! Jesus had not returned to Earth, but had entered the innermost sanctuary of the heavenly temple.  Therefore, a new era had not begun visibly on Earth, but invisibly in heaven… This group eventually developed into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a worldwide church with now over 20 million members…” 

“One popular strategy is the very spiritualization that the Millerites employed: the event did take place, but on an invisible level. This ‘theological trick’ is also used, for example, by Jehovah’s Witnesses, who expected the return of Christ in 1914. When nothing happened, the leadership declared that Jesus had been invisibly installed as king in heaven…” 

Christ said, You do NOT know the exact time of My return.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

US No Longer Reliable Ally 

Politico wrote on December 21: 

“Trump continues to antagonize the United States’ traditional European allies, deriding them… as ‘weak’ and a ‘decaying group of nations’… 

“Like many other European nations, France sees Russia has a growing threat to the continent. So it is preparing to defend itself against… a ‘violent test’ from Russia in the next three to four years that it would need to counter without much, if any, help from Washington… 

“The challenge is even higher as it’s becoming increasingly clear they can no longer rely on the United States as a primary security provider. Successive U.S. presidents — including Barack Obama and Joe Biden — have warned over the past decade that Washington would eventually have to focus on the Indo-Pacific region instead of Europe, but the Trump administration has already matched those words with action. 

“That is putting the spotlight on France, the EU’s only nuclear power and a country with independent weapons makers that has long warned the continent should become more autonomous in areas such as technology and defense… the way France and Germany, the EU’s largest countries, respond in the coming months and years will determine whether other European countries will turn to them for Europe’s defense or try to retain bilateral ties with Washington at the expense of EU and NATO unity… 

“France’s distrust of America dates back to 1956, when U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower forced it and Britain to back down from a military intervention to regain control of the Suez Canal from Egypt, leaving Paris feeling betrayed and humiliated. Since then,… France’s defense policy has been based on the assumption that the U.S. is not a reliable ally and that the Western European nation should be able to defend itself on its own if need be. The memory of the Suez incident contributed to former French President Charles de Gaulle’s decision to leave NATO and develop its own nuclear program. 

“Now, European capitals… are starting to increasingly realize France might have been right all along… Since Trump came back to power in January, the clues of Washington’s disengagement from — if not disdain of — Europe have been hard to ignore… Less than one year after Trump returned to the White House, influential German voices… are no longer looking at Washington as an ally… 

“The French president said France’s military expenditures will increase by €6.7 billion next year, bringing the country’s total defense spending to more than €57.1 billion. In comparison, German lawmakers this week greenlit €50 billion in weaponry procurement — Germany’s military expenditures are expected to reach more than €82 billion next year…” 

It’s all in line with biblical prophecy for the USA and Europe. 

“Rubio Warns Europe Risks Destroying ‘Shared Culture’ of Western Civilization“

Breitbart wrote on December 20: 

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Europe risks destroying the ‘shared culture’ of the West and in turn weaken bonds with the United States… Rubio doubled down on the assertions made in the White House’s National Security Strategy memo, which declared that Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’ if it continues globalist policies of mass migration and attacks on fundamental liberties such as freedom of speech. 

“The memo has riled feathers in Europe, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying that many aspects of the document were ‘unacceptable to us from a European perspective.’ Meanwhile, the… head of the European Commission… Ursula von der Leyen demanded that the United States not ‘interfere’ in European democracy… 

“Rubio specifically pointed to the problems surrounding mass migration, citing the recent Islamist terror attack at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia as an example. ‘Mass migration over the last decade has been highly disruptive, not just to the United States but also to continental Europe and in some cases in the Indo-Pacific as well. So I just think this is a real challenge that multiple Western advanced, industrialized countries are facing…” 

“Row Over ‘Censorship’ Escalates” 

The Guardian wrote on December 24: 

“The French president… and the European Union have accused Washington of ‘coercion and intimidation’, after the US imposed a visa ban on five prominent European figures who have been at heart of the campaign to introduce laws regulating American tech giants. The visa bans were imposed on Tuesday on [French] Thierry Breton, a former EU commissioner and one of the architects of the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), and four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK… 

“Justifying the visa bans, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on X: ‘For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose. The Trump administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.’… the row threatens to become part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Donald Trump’s administration and Europe… 

“Macron condemned the visa ban in furious terms… Breton, a former French finance minister and the European commissioner for the internal market from 2019 to 2024, said: ‘Is McCarthy’s witch-hunt back?…’ 

“A European Commission spokesperson said: ‘If needed, we will respond swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures’… 

“Germany’s justice ministry said the two German campaigners had the government’s ‘support and solidarity’ and the visa bans were unacceptable… 

“Raphaël Glucksmann, a French socialist MEP, said in a message to Rubio: ‘For far too long, Europe has been weak in implementing its own laws and defending its own interests. You have chosen to cosy up tyrants and confront democracies. The time has come for us to stand up. Kneel as much as you want in front of Putin, we are the free world now. We are not a colony of the United States. We are Europeans, we must defend our laws, our principles, our interests. This scandalous sanction against Thierry Breton pays tribute to his fight for our sovereignty. We will continue it together. To the end.’… 

“Michel Duclos, a former senior French diplomat [said:]… ‘Europe is becoming the new Russia for Washington. It brings to mind the 1920s – America favouring the former enemy [Germany) against its former allies – but worse.’ 

“The chair of the German Journalists’ Association, Mika Beuster, [said:] ‘This is censorship in its purest form, the likes of which we have previously only known from autocratic regimes’…” 

Politico added on December 24: 

“The sanctions, announced Tuesday, also revoke the U.S. visas of British citizens Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford…  Ahmed, who currently lives in Washington, faces immediate deportation… 

“The move is the latest in a series of warning shots volleyed by the U.S. at allies over what it views as unfair efforts to regulate American social media and tech giants, including Elon Musk-owned X, which was slapped with a Euro 120 million fine earlier this month for violating the bloc’s content moderation law….” 

US Military Presence in Europe Throughout 2026 

Caliber wrote on December 20: 

“US President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation that sets a minimum level of 76,000 American troops in Europe throughout 2026… Under the law, the number of US service members stationed on the continent may not fall below that threshold for more than 45 days… 

“According to the Pentagon, approximately 100,000 US troops are currently deployed in Europe, including more than 65,000 permanently stationed personnel, with the remainder serving on rotational deployments… The law also provides for: $400 million in funding for arms procurement for Ukraine; Financing for the Golden Dome missile defence shield initiated by Trump; A US defence budget of approximately $900 billion for the next fiscal year, $8 billion higher than the administration’s previous proposal.” 

Denmark Fumes Over New US Envoy to Greenland

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 22: 

“Denmark is incensed at the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as new US special envoy to Greenland as President Donald Trump continues to heap pressure on the Nordic nation and looks to take over the autonomous territory from Copenhagen. 

“In appointing Landry on Sunday, Trump — who has threatened to take Greenland by force from ally Denmark if necessary — wrote that the southern governor, ‘understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.’ 

“Landry took to the social media platform X to thank Trump for the appointment, writing, ‘It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.’ 

“On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the move left him ‘deeply angered’ and said Washington must respect Denmark’s sovereignty, with Copenhagen vowing to summon the US ambassador in protest… Rasmussen told Denmark’s TV 2 that he was ‘particularly upset by his [Landry’s] statements,’ calling them ‘completely unacceptable,’ and adding to the Reuters news agency: ‘We insist that everyone — including the US — must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.’ 

“Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said news of the appointment, ‘might sound like a big deal,’ but added that it ‘doesn’t change anything for us here at home. We will determine our future ourselves,’ he said. In a joint statement with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Nielsen added: ‘Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US shall not take over Greenland.’… 

“Trump, who floated the option of buying Greenland and established a new consulate there during his first term, has repeatedly threatened to get it no matter what since returning to office in January 2025. He has sought to emphasize Greenland’s location and mineral riches as key to US national security and has ignored the wishes of Greenlanders and Danish leaders in his pursuit…” 

Interest-Free Loan for Ukraine 

Times of Oman wrote on December 19: 

“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the European Council’s decision to grant Ukraine a €90 billion loan a ‘decisive message for an end to the war.’ 

“The interest-free loan is enough to cover Ukraine’s military and budgetary needs for the next two years, he pointed out in a statement. And Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘will only make concessions once he realizes his war will not pay off,’ Merz said. ‘If Russia does not pay reparations we will — in full accordance with international law — make use of Russian immobilized assets for paying back the loan,’ Merz added. 

“Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the EU’s decision on the €90 billion loan to Ukraine. ‘It’s lost money,’ said Orban, who is seen as one of Russia’s closest allies in Europe. ‘The good news is that we’re staying out,’ he said. 

“Hungary, along with Slovakia and the Czech Republic, were given an exemption from the loan commitment to avoid them blocking the decision.” 

How giving a loan to Ukraine to enable it to keep on fighting will guarantee that the war will end is an unexplained mystery. 

Peaceful Russia? 

Tulsi Gabbard, US Director of National Intelligence, wrote on December 21  wrote on X: 

“Deep State warmongers and their Propaganda Media are again trying to undermine President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to Ukraine—and indeed Europe—by falsely claiming that the ‘U.S. intelligence community’ agrees to and supports EU/NATO viewpoint that Russia’s aim is to invade/conquer Europe (in order to gin up support for their pro-war policies). The truth is that ‘US intelligence’ assesses that Russia does not even have the capability to conquer and occupy Ukraine…” 

Maybe not now, but it WILL occur later. 

Russia Scraps Military Pacts With Europe 

TRT World wrote on December 20: 

“The Russian government on Saturday officially authorised the Defence Ministry to terminate a series of bilateral military cooperation agreements signed with several European nations between 1992 and 2002. 

“The termination list includes agreements with Germany, Poland, and Norway, as well as similar pacts with Bulgaria, Romania, Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands, Croatia, Belgium and the Czech Republic.” 

“US Intelligence Chief Calls Reuters Report on Putin’s War Aims a ‘Lie'” 

MDR reported on December 21: 

“The Director of National Intelligence of the United States, Tulsi Gabbard, has rejected a Reuters report claiming that US intelligence agencies believed Russian President Vladimir Putin intended to conquer all of Ukraine. 

“Gabbard wrote on X that this was ‘a lie and propaganda.’  She claimed Reuters was ‘willingly serving warmongers’ who are undermining US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The truth, she said, is that US intelligence assesses that Russia wants to avoid a larger war with NATO…”

This is more than questionable. 

“Painful Truths” 

Die Welt wrote on December 19: 

“Ukraine will lose the war against Russia – Europeans must admit this, even if it hurts…” 

Trump on the Run 

t-online wrote on December 18: 

“Donald Trump’s annual address revealed a US president on the run – not only from the facts and from his own responsibility. At an unusually early stage, he finds himself confronted with a loss of power… But instead of spreading credible optimism in his prime-time address, Trump’s appearance once again primarily devolved into a personal settling of scores with his political opponents and a strategic concealment of his own failures… 

“Trump is finding it increasingly difficult to mask his plummeting approval ratings. These are now the worst of his two terms in office. The same applies to the growing tensions within his own party ahead of the difficult midterm elections for the Republicans next year. The signs that Trump is already governing like a ‘lame duck’ after only the first eleven months are multiplying. This is unusually early for a president in his second term.” 

“With all the lies and omissions in his year-end address, Trump appeared noticeably rushed, nervous, even almost slightly panicked.  That, at least, is how numerous people from his own political camp commented on the performance.  Perhaps this was a man quickly reading a defense speech from a teleprompter before the electorate delivers its verdict on him in the midterm elections. This was a president who is already on the run.” 

“A Battered America” 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 19: 

”President Donald Trump’s end of year speech to the American public that took place on December 17^th was full of conceits over how the United States under the new regime in power is moving ahead on all fronts to benefit the American people. The reality is somewhat different with a struggling economy, inflation and growing unemployment as well as wars and rumors of wars. The only economic sector that appears to be doing just fine is the ‘military industrial complex’… For sure, the warfare bill is helping to expand the nation’s debt while providing little in the way of national security due to profound ignorance combined with serial blundering by those in power in and around the White House. 

“The unavoidable fact that Trump has created a mess nearly everywhere that he has trod has been visible practically since inauguration day eleven months ago, made worse by the incoherent and frequently contradictory explanations coming out of the Oval Office itself… 

“Regarding Russia and Ukraine, Trump’s fumbling negotiating team consisting of two property developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner…  consistently fail to appreciate what Russia’s redlines are… 

“All of which leads us to Israel… Early in December, the US Embassy in Jerusalem co-sponsored with the Israeli government a gathering of 1,000 evangelical pastors from the United States… The trip to Israel was paid for by the Israeli government according to reports… 

“Fox News host arch Israel Firster Mark Levin hailed President Donald Trump as ‘the first Jewish president’ during the [White House Hanukkah Party] on Tuesday… Interestingly, Levin aside, it has been plausibly asserted that Trump is indeed the first Jewish president, having converted in 2017… 

“Also at the Tuesday reception, Israeli Las Vegas casino magnate and top political donor Miriam Adelson publicly and openly declared that Trump could pursue a third term as president… She also pledged an additional $250 million in campaign support to fund such an initiative, prompting audience chants of ‘Four more years.’ Trump praised Adelson’s backing… 

“Trump just appointed Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun… as head of the office of the State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism where he will have the rank of Ambassador. Kaploun pledged… to work with social networks to curb the spread of antisemitic falsehoods online.” 

Interesting facts and comments in light of our belief that God has set aside Trump to build or help build the Third Temple in Jerusalem. 

Incompetent FBI 

The New York Post wrote on December 21: 

“[The] FBI was warned that Jeffrey Epstein was into child porn — but ignored it for 10 years… A former employee of late sex predator Jeffrey Epstein alerted the FBI that he was interested in ‘child pornography’ and that he threatened to ‘burn her house down’ decades before Epstein became an international fixation — but feds apparently did nothing. Maria Farmer, whom Epstein hired to help purchase art, filed a complaint against him on Sept. 3, 1996… 

“‘I’ve waited 30 years,’ Farmer told The New York Times when asked about a recently released report showing her complaint… ‘They should be ashamed,’ she continued. ‘…They harmed all of these little girls. That part devastates me.’ 

“Farmer has publicly claimed for years that she tried to inform the authorities about Epstein and his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell’s, predatory behavior. Until the latest batch of Epstein files was released on Friday, the FBI didn’t publicly confirm that she had filed that complaint, and Farmer faced accusations from some that she fabricated her story about going to the feds… 

“Critics… accused the Trump administration of failing to comply with the law by not releasing all the documents by Friday. Detractors also railed against the level of redactions in the Epstein files released.” 

Allegedly, many photos showing Trump were redacted. 

What’s the Point?

International Business Times wrote on December 20:

“The long-awaited disclosure of the Jeffrey Epstein investigative files has arrived, but the resulting digital fallout suggests the public feels more deceived than informed. Instead of the transparency many had campaigned for, the release has sparked a firestorm of criticism over the heavy-handed use of the literal black pen.

“Over a hundred pages from the Epstein files are redacted, leading many to wonder ‘what was the point’ of releasing them in the first place… Public reaction turned swift and vitriolic as users began scouring the digital archives. The social media account UTOPIC reported that the files released are ‘apparently 90 percent redacted.’”

Trump’s “Absurd” National Security Threat Allegations 

The Daily Beast wrote on December 23: 

“It is unclear what prompted the president’s latest deranged rant. Donald Trump has accused The New York Times of being a [serious] national security threat in an unhinged Truth Social post… 

“Last week, the paper… published a detailed report examining Trump’s friendship with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, describing how the two ‘pursued women in a game of ego and dominance’ in which ‘female bodies were currency.’ In one particularly damaging section, a mother who accompanied her 14-year-old daughter to a party at Mar-a-Lago with other young models claimed she was warned by Trump’s then-wife, Marla Maples: ‘Whatever you do, do not let her around any of these men, and especially my husband.’ Maples denied making the remark to the Times… 

“The president ranted about the outlet while continuing to push a dubious claim that he had lowered the cost of prescription drugs by the mathematically impossible amount of up to ‘3,000 percent.’… 

“In response to the Truth Social attack, a spokesperson for the Times told the Daily Beast: ‘Our job is to report fully and fairly on the government, no matter which party is in power. That includes reporting things that officials would prefer to hide from the American people. We won’t be deterred from this responsibility by threats and bluster, from the president or anyone else.’” 

Even though Trump has been railing against the New York Times, calling it fake news, the truth is that it is widely considered a highly respected, leading news outlet and America’s newspaper of record, recognized globally for its extensive investigative and international journalism, numerous Pulitzer Prizes [more than any other news organization] and large digital readership [millions of subscribers and leading the industry]. 

Hegseth’s Accusations 

The Independent wrote on December 18: 

“Many Americans are ‘too dumb’ or ‘too fat’ to serve in the military, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a gathering of top recruiters at the Pentagon on Thursday,…  ‘not dumb, that’s wrong. You know, we’re just not educating them properly or they’ve got criminal records, or ADHD [Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder], or all these other things.’… 

“Hegseth has made a point of focusing on physical fitness throughout his time as secretary… and railing against ‘fat generals’…” 

The War Machine 

On December 22, Ron Paul wrote in his weekly column of the Ron Paul Institute: 

“Late last week, Congress passed and President Trump signed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill marks the first time the US military budget officially passed the one trillion dollar mark. 

“Of course, when you add in other military-related spending such as interest on the debt, veterans’ affairs, and military components of other government agencies, the true number is at least one and a half times that amount… Congress is so addicted to military spending that they appropriated even more money than President Trump requested…” 

This incredible waste of money for all the wrong reasons and ungodly projects is appalling. When David numbered his army, he was severely punished by God. 

Tucker Carlson Inflames Raging Battle for MAGA’s Future 

The Washington Post wrote on December 20: 

“Tucker Carlson had some concerns. So he called President Donald Trump. The right-wing podcaster and provocateur wanted to understand why the U.S. was attacking alleged drug smuggling boats off the coast of Venezuela and he warned against pursuing regime change there — a prospect that has alarmed the more isolationist ‘America First’ Republicans in Trump’s movement. 

“The conversations last weekend… show how the Fox News castoff is at the center of some of the most heated disputes in MAGA — over foreign policy, antisemitism and conspiracy theories, among other topics heightening tensions in the movement… Carlson is a divisive and influential figure with an audience — on social media, among MAGA commentators and inside the White House… as a growing number of MAGA activists clash with Trump and each other, clouding the future of the movement, Carlson has become a more central figure this year, viewed as consequential by detractors and supporters alike. 

“… Carlson is trying to push the party away from foreign intervention and divorce it from Israel, which he argues exerts burdensome pressure on U.S. foreign policy, drawing accusations that he is repeating antisemitic tropes. He has entertained conspiracy theories about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that have angered many MAGA influencers, including Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk. And this fall, he interviewed white supremacist commentator Nick Fuentes, who has espoused antisemitic conspiracy theories… 

“Carlson vehemently rejects accusations of antisemitism. ‘Just because I don’t want to bow to the will of a foreign leader does not make me an antisemite, okay?’ he said. ‘I think antisemitism is immoral and I am against it.’… 

“To Carlson’s fans, he’s a champion of the populist ‘America First’ agenda they see as the future of the GOP… But others see Carlson as a threat to the conservative movement, elevating extreme ideas that the GOP has a responsibility to condemn — or at least not magnify… 

“Carlson spent years as a conservative commentator on CNN and MSNBC before landing at Fox News, where he rose… to the network’s most popular star… Carlson’s departure from Fox threatened to dramatically reduce his visibility in the party. Instead, freed from corporate constraints, he has rebuilt a large audience… 

“Over the summer, Carlson criticized the Trump administration’s bombing of Iran, prompting Trump to call him ‘kooky’… This past week, Carlson said he heard Trump was about to announce a war with Venezuela in a national address — and turned out to be incorrect. 

“But the two have also kept open lines of communication and praised each other…” 

Israel Surrounded by Enemies 

Israel Today wrote on December 19: 

“Israel is committed to the long-term demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and, if necessary, by force. That message was made unmistakably clear by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in an interview with Al Arabiya English, the Saudi outlet. If Hamas refuses to disarm as outlined in the US peace plan…, ‘Israel will have to deal with the problem,’ Sa’ar said… Senior Hamas leaders have stated publicly they have no intention of laying down their arms… If the threat continues, Israel cannot ignore it. That assessment is shared by Israel’s national security community, which has long argued that ceasefires without disarmament are merely pauses before the next escalation.

“Beyond Gaza, Sa’ar also addressed Israel’s northern borders. In Syria, he noted, the new regime in Damascus has recently hardened its position, delaying progress toward a potential security agreement… the facts on the ground remain deeply concerning. Syria is home to numerous militias, including extremist factions, some of which have committed atrocities against Alawite and Druze communities in recent months. Israel’s first priority, he said, remains the security of its own borders. 

“Lebanon, too, remains a major destabilizing factor. Hezbollah continues to undermine state sovereignty by refusing to comply with the Lebanese government’s call to disarm. Sa’ar made it clear that disarming the Shiite militia would not only strengthen Israel’s security—it would also help Lebanon free itself from foreign interference. The implication was obvious: Iran, which has armed and financed Hezbollah for years.” 

Trump’s Contempt for Logic 

The Jerusalem Post wrote on December 22: 

“… regarding an American president now endowed with near-total decisional authority over nuclear weapons, a… fundamental concern should be Trump’s evident incapacity for logic-based reasoning. Though often minimized, underestimated, or overlooked, this conspicuous deficit could lead… to wholly unprecedented military conflicts…  each day’s news is replete with well-founded condemnations of Trump’s logical failings, historical inaccuracies, and contrived conclusions… 

“… it’s high time for Americans to worry not only about their current president’s transgressions, but also his intellectual debilities. At some not yet determinable point, the American president’s shortfalls of logic-based reasoning could bring us to the brink of a nuclear war.” 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Coming Demise

Andrew Neil wrote on December 20 in Daily Mail:

“The more Keir Starmer’s popularity plummets, the more he tries to shield himself from public scrutiny and the judgement of voters who’ve come not just to dislike him but, in many cases, to detest him.

“So local elections he knows Labour is going to lose are cancelled. Access for journalists trying to hold him and his government to account is curtailed. Opinions on race, gender and immigration which do not conform to his government’s liberal-left worldview are rigorously policed — and miscreants often penalised.

“No opportunity is missed for him to escape these shores even on the flimsiest of globetrotting excuses — making it all the easier for him to avoid proper interrogation on the disasters regularly unfolding back on the home front.

“The Prime Minister thinks all this will restore his tarnished reputation and eventually make him electable again. It is a sign of just how out of touch he is that he doesn’t realise they merely underwrite his one-way ticket to the knacker’s yard, which is printed out and ready to be issued before 2026 is over.” 

“They Are Immigrating to Germany—and Behaving Like Conquerors or Colonialists.” 

Die Welt wrote on December 21: 

“They believe they are at war: Islamists are immigrating to Western countries like conquerors, considering their culture inferior.  Regardless of the number of victims of attacks or rapes, German politicians are not confronting the problem.”

Merz’s Most Powerful Opponent? 

ntv wrote on December 19: 

“Russia’s appetite for war is meeting with little resistance, certainly not in Washington, Beijing, or New Delhi. Only Europe and a few allies outside the continent are standing up to Putin. At their head is Chancellor Merz, who is playing for high stakes to achieve even the bare minimum… In recent days, Friedrich Merz has thrown the full political weight of the Federal Republic of Germany into the balance to prevent the year from ending in a complete defeat for Ukraine and, consequently, for Europe. 

“Among the European countries, Germany, despite a profound economic crisis, is by far the most powerful on the side of Ukraine, and the Chancellor is demonstrating his determination to fulfill this responsibility these days. 

“At the EU summit, three EU states—Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia—opposed further aid for Ukraine. Other, smaller countries expressed doubts. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for several reasons, could not bring herself to offer consistent support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron cannot get his domestic political crisis under control because his country is more notable for its massive debt than for being a great nation. And Great Britain, since Brexit, stands alone anyway and only fits into this list because British Prime Minister Keir Starmer can only dream of achieving even Merz’s weak approval ratings. 

“This disunited, weakened Europe is therefore the one Merz must lead, because only a united EU, together with the British, Norwegians, Canadians, and Australians, can offer any meaningful resistance to the Russians, who are openly supported by China. And where the USA will stand in this conflict tomorrow is something even Donald Trump probably doesn’t know today…” 

“In Brussels, an agreement was finally reached on financing Ukraine, for which Merz, contrary to his convictions, also agreed to joint EU debt. The Chancellor did not achieve a complete victory. At a crucial moment, Europe failed to demonstrate the resolve to protect its own security interests, which Merz had so emphatically demanded on Monday. But: after the EU summit, Moscow must assume that Ukraine will continue fighting… 

“Now, however, there is at least a chance for talks that could lead to a ceasefire. Without the Chancellor, even this slim chance would probably not exist – and that currently makes Friedrich Merz Vladimir Putin’s most powerful opponent. How Russia will react to this will likely become clear soon.”

Spahn the New Chancellor? 

Focus wrote on December 20: 

“If Friedrich Merz were to fail as Chancellor, there is only one logical successor for FOCUS columnist Jan Fleischhauer. ‘If I had to bet on a replacement chancellor from the CDU right now,’ he says…, ‘I would say: Jens Spahn.’ 

“A name that polarizes. Spahn is considered politically tainted by many; he is accused of moral questionable behavior, from privately financed real estate purchases to the procurement of masks during the pandemic, which resulted in billions of euros in losses for taxpayers. 

“For Fleischhauer, however, the crucial question is not one of impeccable morals, but of political suitability. Spahn possesses qualities that would be more useful than detrimental in the Chancellor’s office. ‘He has the certain ruthlessness that you need for the job,’ says Fleischhauer. Added to this are toughness and assertiveness… less concern for internal party politics, more power instinct and leadership. And this is precisely where his comparison with Merz is telling….” 

Military Service in Germany

Die Zeit reported on December 19: 

“The Federal Council has approved the new military service. Starting in January 2026, all 18-year-olds born in 2008 and later will receive an information letter from the German armed forces (Bundeswehr). Men will then be required to fill out a questionnaire that, among other things, asks about their interest in serving in the Bundeswehr.  Filling out the questionnaire is voluntary for women. 

“The medical examination will also become mandatory again for 18-year-old men. The new military service will last between six and eleven months, or longer. The federal government aims to increase its attractiveness by offering, among other things, a monthly salary of €2,600 gross and a subsidy for a driver’s license. The goal is to meet the Bundeswehr’s personnel needs as precisely as possible. If not enough volunteers come forward, the Bundestag can enact a so-called compulsory service based on need, which would have to be regulated in a separate law.”

Conscription will be reintroduced.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

“The US Wants to Destroy the EU… There Isn’t Much Time Left” 

Handelsblatt wrote on December 11: 

“The US is now among those who want to destroy the EU. But, as so often, Europe needs time to grasp the extent of what has been happening since the Trump administration took office… 

“With Russia, whose neo-imperial ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine, and with China, which is increasingly putting economic pressure on Europe,… the EU is now being pressured from three sides. All three actors share a common goal: to destroy the EU as a global economic power and to prevent its member states from becoming a politically relevant force in the emerging international order of the 21st century… 

“Europe must stop using the US as a point of reference for everything it does. It cannot influence the US in the long term. Let’s focus on Europe and strengthening its economic and defense policies. Then the US might rediscover its interest in a partnership. If so, fine; if not, that’s also fine. However, strengthening Europe means that there can be no taboos…

“Europe needs a defense union. And not among all EU members, but among those who are capable and willing… Such a development… requires political leadership and the courage to break with old traditions. There isn’t much time left to set such developments in motion, because Europe’s adversaries are already actively working to weaken or even destroy it.” 

The article recommends, in so many words, the creation of several core nations under strong leadership. The Bible says that ten powerful European nations or groups of nations will unite and give their might and authority to a charismatic military leader—the “beast.” 

Is the USA a Security Risk? 

t-online reported on December 11: 

“Trump’s new security strategy has been available for a week. Now the first NATO country has issued a security warning. 

“…The Danish foreign intelligence service has provided a first assessment of the Trump doctrine. Denmark is the first NATO country to officially warn against the USA. The United States is now ‘using its economic and technological strength as an instrument of power against allies and partners,’ it says… 

“Relations between Denmark and the USA are already strained. Immediately after the start of his second term, Trump laid claim to Greenland. The island is autonomous but belongs to Denmark. 

“In the report, the Danish foreign intelligence service now openly expresses its concerns regarding the USA. ‘There is uncertainty about the role of the United States as a guarantor of European security,’ the document states… With regard to the new document from the Trump administration and the new geopolitical positioning of the USA, the Danish foreign intelligence service generally warned of an increased security risk.”

Looking at the USA as a security risk for Europe is alarming. 

Angela Merkel Predicts New Conflict With the USA 

Bild Online wrote on December 12: 

“Will artificial intelligence trigger the next major clash between us and America? Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has now warned of this – she sees Europe in a tough power struggle with Donald Trump’s United States… At an event hosted by Stern magazine in Berlin, Merkel therefore called for binding rules for the use of AI… ‘This will be the next major battle with the United States of America over the question of whether or not we can regulate digital media.’…” 

“Merkel believes the US will try to prevent the establishment of rules for AI. ‘There will be very strong pressure not to do it,’ said the former chancellor…  Indeed, Trump just signed an executive order that is intended to prevent US states from introducing their own regulations for artificial intelligence… The former chancellor is generally critical of Trump’s new security strategy… 

“According to Merkel, organizations like the European Union are seen as ‘troublemakers’ in the US. Instead of negotiating with the EU as a whole, the US is trying to win over individual member states. ‘That cannot be in Europe’s interest,’ said Merkel.”

Merz Compares Merkel to Chamberlain and Putin to Hitler 

ntv reported on December 13: 

“At the CSU party conference, Chancellor Merz named restoring Germany’s competitiveness and defense capabilities as the top priorities of his government.  Domestically, he wants to bring about a new beginning; in foreign policy, he aims to prevent the worst… He heavily criticizes the policies of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, although he… does not mention her by name. He says that we should have known what kind of times we were living in even before February 24, 2022 – the day Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine. The day ‘we should have known’ was in May 2014 – when the war in the Ukrainian Donbas, initially waged covertly by Russia, escalated. 

“‘In those days, a historical analogy was frequently invoked,’ Merz says. ‘2014 was compared to 1914, the beginning of the First World War, into which Europe sleepwalked… It would have been more accurate to see 1938 as the historical analogy: the Munich Agreement, in which British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain ceded the Czechoslovakian Sudetenland to Nazi Germany.’ Indirectly, Merz is thus comparing Putin to Hitler. If Ukraine falls, that won’t be enough for the Russian leader, ‘just as the Sudetenland wasn’t enough in 1938.’ Putin’s goal is ‘the fundamental alteration of borders in Europe, the restoration of (Russia) to the borders of the old Soviet Union…’ 

“The ‘decades of Pax Americana,’ the years in which the USA guaranteed peace in Europe… ‘are largely over for us,’ Merz says…” 

Boris Pistorius’ Wisdom 

CBS News published on December 14 the following comments by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius: 

“Germany is [the] third biggest economy in the world and the biggest one in Europe, of course. So everybody in Europe expects us to be the strongest ally in NATO in Europe. With the surge of federal funding, the long-moribund German defense industry is springing back to life… I try to explain that, if you want to live in peace, in freedom, security– with a right to go on the street and to demonstrate against or for whatever you want, to love however to want, and you to believe in any god you want, then you need to be willing to defend it.” 

But war—including “defensive war”– will never bring peace, but only more war. And so, the next world war, in which Germany will be heavily involved, will bring mankind to the brink of utter annihilation. 

War Is Closer Than We Think 

ladbible.com wrote on December 14: 

“A major [Viktor Andrusiv] in the Ukrainian army has warned that ‘war is closer than we think’ – and he believes that the UK isn’t ready for it… 

“Earlier this month, the Russian president stated that his country is ‘ready’ for war with Europe if it is instigated, sparking fears that the continent could soon be engulfed in conflict… ‘The biggest problem is that people are not going to believe that this can happen,’ Andrusiv told The Sun… ‘You should be aware of that. This is possible…’  He warned that the UK could soon resemble the war-torn streets of Ukraine…’”

The warnings we hear today focus on a possible war between Europe and Russia. However, World War III will begin with a war between Europe and the USA and the UK. Only very few people believe that such a war is possible, but that war “is closer than we think.” 

Russia Rejects Ceasefire or Peace Plan 

Euronews wrote on December 16: 

“Russia will not accept any ‘compromise’ regarding the occupied territories of Ukraine, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday. Ryabkov stated that Moscow has not scaled back its demands and wants to retain control over five Ukrainian regions: Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

“Aside from annexed Crimea and almost all of the Luhansk region, Russia does not control the entirety of any of the other three areas of Ukraine. In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, Moscow forces do not have control of the regional capitals either. As the European leaders vowed to protect Ukraine against Russia in the future, including via military means, the Kremlin now also demands security guarantees for Moscow….

“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested on Monday in Berlin that Russia could pause its attacks during the holidays, which could eventually lead to the opening of negotiations for a genuine truce… But Moscow rejected the idea with Peskov saying, ‘We want peace. We don’t want a truce to give Ukraine a breathing space and prepare for a continuation of the war’…

“Moscow has repeatedly said its demands to Ukraine and any possible settlement remain the same. The US-Ukraine talks in Berlin have been largely criticised and dismissed in Moscow. The Kremlin [keeps] insisting that it won’t stop its war against Ukraine until the so-called ‘root causes’ are addressed.

“According to Moscow, the ‘root causes’ include Ukraine’s aspirations to join both the EU and NATO as well as NATO’s alleged violation of commitments not to expand eastwards, the Ukrainian government’s alleged discrimination against ethnic Russians and what Putin calls the ‘denazification’ of Ukraine. Putin and Russia have used these false arguments to justify the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but failed to provide evidence for any of these allegations.” [Russia did provide some evidence for some of those allegations.]

The talks in Berlin accomplished absolutely nothing. 

Putin Not Ready For Peace

Bild Online wrote on December 17:

“President Vladimir Putin (73) has threatened Ukraine with further attacks if Kyiv and the West reject his demands in the ongoing peace talks… At his annual meeting with high-ranking military officials, the Kremlin dictator made it clear that while Moscow would prefer to achieve its goals at the negotiating table, ‘if the other side and its foreign backers refuse to enter into a substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical territories by military means’…

“In his speech, Putin also sharply attacked European heads of state and government, calling them ‘pigs’… His accusation: ‘They thought they could destroy Russia in no time…’ While the Trump administration is showing a willingness to find a peaceful solution, Putin sees no chance of that in Europe at present. The Kremlin chief demands that all conquered regions in eastern Ukraine, as well as those occupied in 2014, be returned to Russia. The annexed Crimea must be recognized as Russian territory. Furthermore, Moscow demands that the Ukrainian army withdraw from some still-contested regions. Kyiv refuses…”

Taking Frozen Russian Assets?

aa.com.tr wrote on December 13:

“Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday described the EU’s plan to seize frozen Russian assets as a ‘declaration of war.’ Orban criticized European leaders, singling out German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European People’s Party leader Manfred Weber, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen… He added that Hungary would oppose any EU attempts to bypass the country in accessing Russian assets…

“Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini warned that freezing Russian assets was ‘risky and imprudent,’ noting that 314 Italian companies operate in Russia, generating revenue and employment…”

Kyivindependent wrote on December 16:

“Russia’s Central Bank has filed a lawsuit seeking 18.2 trillion rubles ($229 billion) in damages from Euroclear… The lawsuit marks the latest escalation in Moscow’s legal dispute with Euroclear, a Belgium-based central securities depository…

“Euroclear holds about 185 billion euros ($217 billion) of frozen Russian funds, which are subject to EU sanctions imposed after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.”

Syria News wrote on December 17:

“The US warned the EU that seizing frozen Russian assets would undermine peace talks with Moscow, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said.”

Trump’s Rambling Speech 

Focus reported on December 12: 

“One absurd statement followed another: US President Donald Trump claimed during a speech on Thursday that European nations viewed him as a leader and respected him like never before… 

“‘Now we have the greatest country in the world. Everybody says it. Other heads of state and government say it. The European nations say it. The European nations are saying that your president could just as well be the leader of the European nations. They are listening to us and respecting us like never before.’” 

In what dream-world is Trump living? Trump is probably Europe’s most hated American president in recent history. 

“Trump Is Sleepwalking Into an Electoral Disaster” 

The Sun published on December 12 the following opinion by Editor-at-Large Harry Cole: 

“Donald Trump was on the stump in the bellwether swing state of Pennsylvania, addressing a rally of cheering red-capped fans… Yet instead of leaning into the issue that is quite literally draining American voters’ wallets, the President declared that prices were not a real problem any more and dismissed the Washington buzzword of ‘affordability’ as another Democrat ‘hoax’… 

“Here’s the problem: You can’t tell people drowning in bills that everything’s rosy. Working Americans… are feeling the pain of a cost-of-living saga that seems to never end… eating, clothing, and healthcare bills are huge. Poll after poll [shows] a brutal reality: Americans feel battered. Four in ten say it’s the worst cost of living they have ever experienced. And twice as many voters say President Trump, not Joe Biden, is responsible for the current state of the economy. 

“That should be a wake-up call for this administration that faces a battle for its survival in next year’s midterm elections… Despite branding Biden as ‘Sleepy’ it looks increasingly like it is President Trump sleepwalking into an electoral disaster in 2026… Meanwhile, his MAGA base is tearing itself apart with infighting and scores of Republican politicians are throwing in the towel rather than defending seats next year… 

“Voters aren’t insane… They just want to know someone in Washington lives on the same planet as they do. And when you’re in the White House showing off a new golden mega-ballroom while regular Americans are struggling to pay the bills, the optics ain’t great. Warning signs are everywhere…

“While it made lots of noise,  Donald Trump’s tariff experiment does not appear to be working. Meanwhile, the promised surge in US manufacturing has not materialised. Trump defended his import taxes raid this week, urging the public to stop buying cheap Chinese goods…”

The problem is: Suffering Americans will buy the cheapest goods they can get… no matter where they are coming from. Unless there is a drastic and fundamental change in Trump’s approach, he will pay dearly during the next midterm elections. The concept that Trump is sleepwalking into domestic and international disaster can be heard now more often. 

Key MAGA Voices Turn on Trump—“Pointless Address”

The Mirror wrote on December 18:

“Some of the key voices in the MAGA movement have turned on Trump after the president’s address interrupted prime time television…

“Trump delivered a politically charged address on Wednesday, attempting to blame Democrats for economic difficulties… His address recycled his recent talking points that have so far failed to ease public concerns about the costs of groceries, housing, utilities and other essential items….

“Matt Walsh, a right-wing political commentator and podcast host, was among those slamming Trump after the address. He wrote on X: ‘That was perhaps the most pointless primetime presidential address ever delivered in American history.’ Another MAGA voice – Majestic Glow – with 46,000 followers wrote on X: ‘Remember when Joe Biden and his administration would tell us all how great things were, and we all loudly rejected that…? Trump and his administration are doing the same thing.’”

The Atrocities of Trump’s Immigration System 

NBC News wrote on December 12: 

“… spouses of U.S. citizens… were recently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at what they thought were going to be routine green card interviews. There have been several dozen known cases out of San Diego alone, but cases have also been reported in New York City,  Cleveland and Utah…   

“Immigration attorneys told NBC News that this marks an ‘unprecedented’ break in decadeslong practice policy, and that their clients are panicked they could be detained even when they are eligible to become legal permanent residents by law and have no criminal histories… The detentions are one of the latest tactics in President Donald Trump’s policies targeting legal pathways for immigration and increasing scrutiny of green card applicants. 

“The Trump administration has said in multiple cases that people were detained because they had fallen out of status by overstaying their visas, but longtime attorneys say this has never been an issue and spouses of U.S. citizens looking to obtain green cards were granted exceptions by Congress. The law says that immediate relatives, such as spouses, of U.S. citizens are eligible for green cards even if they were in unlawful immigration status at the time they filed to become legal permanent residents…

“Attorneys said the exact number of people affected would be difficult to quantify, but all said many spouses of U.S. citizens seeking green cards could fall into the category of overstaying their visas. There are currently at least hundreds of thousands of people who are at some stage of the green card application process, according to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service data…” 

The Trump administration is changing immigration law without congressional authority. Where is the outcry in the USA about such conduct? 

More Immigration Regulations 

NBC San Diego wrote on December 12: 

“A woman from Afghanistan who worked for the U.S. military saw her citizenship oath ceremony canceled with little explanation after she was already approved, her attorney said, as the Trump administration indefinitely pauses all immigration applications for people from 19 countries. ‘We knew it was coming, but we didn’t expect it to come for people who are only scheduled for like a celebratory ceremony, to celebrate becoming a citizen,’ said immigration attorney Habib Hasbini… 

“She applied for citizenship this year [after having had a green card for five years], Hasbini said, and her application was approved in October… But before her… ceremony, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sent her a letter that said ‘due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to cancel the previously scheduled Oath Ceremony.’… 

“The letter arrived after the Trump administration announced in late November a pause on any immigration applications from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti and Somalia, among others… There’s little indication when the pause will be lifted, if ever. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, President Donald Trump touted the move. ‘I’ve also announced a permanent pause on third-world migration including from hellholes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia and many other countries,’ he said to cheers from the crowd.” 

One wonders who those people are who support this—including, as we reported in last week’s Current Events—, the new contemplated rules regarding revealing Social Media activities (including watching, liking and sharing as well as posting videos) when wanting to enter the USA as a tourist. The scope of “Social Media” includes, among many others: 

Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, Messenger, Reddit, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter) and Rumble.   

In order to receive an ESTA, visitors are supposed to reveal all their activities for the last five years regarding any of those Social Media platforms. This new “law” is supposed to become effective within the next 60 days. It is strongly recommended that anyone who is contemplating to enter the USA as a tourist, file for an ESTA application now. Once approved, an ESTA is valid for 2 years. 

Denaturalizing Law-Abiding Citizens?

The New York Times wrote on December 17:

“The Trump administration plans to ramp up efforts to strip some naturalized Americans of their citizenship… The guidance, issued on Tuesday to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field offices, asks that they ‘supply Office of Immigration Litigation with 100-200 denaturalization cases per month’ in the 2026 fiscal year…

“Under federal law, people may be denaturalized only if they committed fraud while applying for citizenship, or in a few other narrow circumstances. But the Trump administration has shown a zeal for using every tool at its disposal to target legal and illegal immigrants, leading activists to warn that such a campaign could sweep up people who had made honest mistakes on their citizenship paperwork and sow fear among law-abiding Americans.”

Trump’s Outrageous, Vicious and Insane Ranting on Rob Reiner’s Murder 

The New York Post wrote on December 15: 

“President Trump on Monday said murdered actor-director Rob Reiner had ‘driven people CRAZY’ with his opposition to the Republican chief executive, with his bizarre ranting post on Truth Social prompting outrage from critics of all political persuasions. Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 68, were found butchered in their Los Angeles home Sunday afternoon, allegedly at the hands of their… son Nick, 32 [who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues and who has been charged with two counts of murder]. 

“‘A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. ‘Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS. He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!’… 

“Even conservatives were outraged by the president’s comments… Post columnist and Commentary magazine editor John Podhoretz [wrote:] ‘Trump disgraces America with his tweet.’ Charles C. W. Cooke of National Review Online wrote, ‘That Trump wrote this is insane and disgraceful. That the White House chose to tweet it out is pathological.’… 

“Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said, ‘Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered. I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid?’” 

The Associated Press added on December 15:

“President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the actor-director’s killing, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a shocking post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy. The statement, even for Trump, was a shocking comment… Trump has a long track record of inflammatory remarks, but his comments in a social media post were a drastic departure from the role presidents typically play in offering a message of consolation or tribute after the death of a public figure. His message drew criticism even from conservatives and his supporters and laid bare Trump’s unwillingness to rise above political grievance in moments of crisis… 

 “The unsympathetic message was the latest example of Trump’s unsparing prism through which he views those he perceives as enemies. He made retribution against political enemies a prime focus of his campaign for the White House last year. And he has in the past made light of violence when it’s befallen those on the other side of the political aisle… That’s despite his comments after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this year. Trump said Kirk’s killing was ‘the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.’… 

“Jenna Ellis, who was one of Trump’s lawyers and worked on his efforts in 2020 to overturn the results of the presidential election, pointed out Trump’s double standard and called his post… ‘a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency,’ Ellis said in a post on X.” 

The Sun wrote on December 15: 

“President Trump’s unfounded claims regarding the couple’s death have sparked outrage among social media users. ‘This is the most disgusting post Donald Trump has ever made…Imagine if I said this about Charlie Kirk,’ political commentator Brian Kassenstein posted on X.   

“Sirius XM host and MSNBC contributor Max Burns also called out the president on his comments. ‘I don’t want to hear another sanctimonious word from the Republicans who accused Democrats of not showing enough sadness when Charlie Kirk died,’ Burns posted on X. ’Donald Trump’s message about Rob and Michele Reiner’s death is a monstrosity.’” 

Piers Morgan “ordered” Trump to delete his “dreadful” and “unacceptable” post (Daily Express, December 15). 

Rob Reiner’s acting credits include “Throw Momma from the Train,” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” He directed movies such as “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “A few Good Men” and “The American President.” His wife Michele was a photographer who took the famous photo of Trump that graced the cover of his bestselling 1987 book, “The Art of the Deal.” 

Trump’s Gaza Plan—Utter Failure

Israel365News wrote on December 14: 

“The plan championed by the Trump administration is on the verge of being hijacked – not by Israel, but by the very states that have spent years arming, financing, and glorifying Hamas. At the Doha Forum, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey dispensed with diplomatic subtleties and openly demanded changes that would render the entire plan meaningless. Their proposed ‘revisions’ would force an Israeli withdrawal before Hamas disarms, insert an international force that refuses to confront Hamas, and hard-wire Hamas’s continued rule into the future of Gaza. 

“The astonishing part is not that Qatar and Turkey are attempting this maneuver – it is that Washington is allowing it. The US is ignoring the plainly anti-Western ideological motives of its supposed partners, and in doing so, it is sleepwalking into a strategic catastrophe… 

“Egypt’s foreign minister [was] demanding that an International Stabilization Force deploy immediately – not to restrain Hamas, but to restrain Israel… Washington’s strategic failure becomes glaring. For years, American policymakers have clung to the fantasy that Qatar and Turkey are ‘moderating influences,’ countries that can rein in extremist groups. This is willful blindness. Qatar and Turkey do not moderate extremists – they sponsor them. They do not want a stable, demilitarized Gaza – they want a Gaza in which the Muslim Brotherhood retains its foothold… 

“Qatar shelters Hamas leadership, glorifies Hamas on Al Jazeera, and bankrolls Muslim Brotherhood movements across the region. Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, praises Hamas as ‘freedom fighters,’ calls for Israel’s destruction, and funnels support to Brotherhood-aligned groups everywhere.” 

Trump calls the dictator and autocrat, Erdogan, his friend. That says it all.

The “Menetekel” from Sydney 

Die Welt Online wrote on December 15: 

“…the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration [with 1,000 attendees] at the popular Bondi Beach in Sydney… [and the murder of at least sixteen people by two or perhaps three suspected Islamist terrorists] is evidence of a grotesque reversal of perpetrator and victim roles, demonstrating that Jews worldwide have had to contend with rising antisemitism since the massacre of October 7, 2023 – including the approximately 120,000 Jews in Australia, many of whom live in the greater Sydney area. 

“Just two days after the attack on the Supernova festival, which left 1,200 dead, pro-Palestinian groups chanted anti-Jewish slogans in front of the famous Sydney Opera House. There have been death threats against prominent Australian Jews, attacks on synagogues, and vandalism against Jewish businesses… 

“The attack in Sydney shows once again that the fight against antisemitism is not solely a Jewish responsibility, but a challenge for society as a whole, affecting all citizens – because it concerns universal values such as human dignity and the rule of law. A society in which Jews are not safe will not remain a free society in the long run.” 

The Curse of Global Warming Propaganda?

On December 13, the Daily Mail published the following article by Matt Ridley:

“By failing to secure new pledges for a cut in fossil fuels, [the recent] Cop30 [summit in Brazil] achieved less than nothing…

“… no scare grew as big or lasted as long as global warming… Politicians welcomed the chance to blame others: if a wildfire or a flood devastates your town, point the finger at the changing climate rather than your own failure to prepare…

“[Bill] Gates… is correct to say that getting cheap, reliable, clean energy to the poor is by far the more urgent priority… The climacatastrophe has been a terrible mistake. It diverted attention from real environmental problems, cost a fortune, impoverished consumers, perpetuated indoor pollution and poverty, frightened young people into not having children, wasted years of our time, undermined democracy and corrupted science…” 

Reclassification of Medical Marijuana

ABC News wrote on December 18:

“President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Currently, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug, the most restrictive federal category that includes heroin and LSD. Under this change, it moves to a Schedule III drug, putting it in the same group as some common prescription painkillers such as Tylenol with codeine….

“The White House is stressing that this change makes it easier for scientists to study marijuana, especially around its potential to treat chronic pain and other conditions. ‘The executive order the President will sign today is focused on increasing medical research for medical marijuana and CBD,’ a senior administration official told ABC News ahead [of] the signing.”

 An overdue move to be applauded.

The Next Big Financial Crash Is Coming—But When? 

On December 9, the Daily Mail published the following article by Ruth Sunderland: 

“Dr Michael Burry singled out two of the biggest winners of the Artificial Intelligence frenzy, Nvidia – a computer chip maker – and Palantir, a data analytics giant. The renowned investor explained that he had taken out bets that both will fall heavily within two years. He also derided bitcoin, whose value has shot up over the past five years, as ‘the most ridiculous thing… worse than a tulip bulb’ – a reference to the Dutch craze for the flower in the 17th century. Bitcoin has recently fallen back… 

“Burry argued that this AI bubble ‘looks an awful lot like the dot-com bubble’, which burst in 2000 after years of euphoria about the internet. 

“Burry… is in fact legendary for predicting the 2008 sub-prime mortgage meltdown, making hundreds of millions of dollars for himself and his clients while the rest of the financial system went into freefall… So when Burry warns the astonishing surge in AI shares will end badly, big investors take notice, even if they beg to differ… doubts are growing that the technology is turning into a bottomless money pit for investors and that the promised returns on the vast investments being made will prove elusive… 

“A major collapse in AI-linked shares would not be confined to the US markets or to tech stocks. Banks could face rising bad debts, global stock markets would slump and pension pots would shrink… 

“Burry is far from infallible. In 2017 he predicted a global meltdown that would trigger World War III, which has not happened yet. Two years later he warned of a bubble driven by index-tracking funds, which has not yet materialised either. He also bet against Tesla in late 2020 – just before its shares accelerated further… Burry has been predicting a crash for years in the US as stocks continue to soar… 

“In the run-up to the 2008 crash, Wall Street banks bundled risky ‘sub-prime’ mortgages into supposedly safe bonds. However, they did not account for the high chance many borrowers would be unable to repay their loans… It is relatively easy to spot a market that is over-valued and ripe for a fall, but what is really hard is predicting when the meltdown will come – and getting that wrong can prove costly… This time [Burry] admits he does not know when the AI bubble will burst and says the 2008 experience was unique… 

“Burry’s track record includes moments of brilliance but also some notable misfires. Plenty of experts believe the AI boom has further to run, and that selling out now would mean missing out on more profit. Investors must make up their own minds – but it is hard to ignore the doctor who diagnosed the last great financial crash.” 

Bulgaria Becomes the Newest Member of the Eurozone 

Bild Online reported on December 12: 

“From January 1, Bulgaria will also be part of the Eurozone.  However, the times there are turbulent: Following protests, the Bulgarian government resigned on Thursday. The resignation came shortly before the introduction of the euro and its own new coins… As the 21st country, Bulgaria is officially adopting the common currency… 

“Six EU states are retaining their own currencies: Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Romania. They belong to the EU – but not to the Eurozone… There are already approximately 141 billion euro coins in circulation. Billions more from Bulgaria will soon be added.” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

U.S. Gives Europe Three-Year Ultimatum 

Espreso wrote on December 5: 

“The Pentagon has informed European diplomats that the United States expects NATO’s European members to take control of the alliance’s conventional defense operations by 2027… The ultimatum marks a significant departure from decades of American military leadership in the transatlantic partnership. 

“During meetings with European delegations, Defense Department officials indicated that recent European efforts to strengthen military capabilities following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have fallen short of expectations. Pentagon representatives warned that failure to meet the deadline could result in the United States withdrawing from certain NATO coordination mechanisms… 

“The European Union has already established its own target of achieving independent defense readiness by 2030, acknowledging substantial gaps in air defense, drone technology, cyber warfare, and ammunition production. Defense analysts consider even that more extended deadline highly ambitious…” 

Is the USA inadvertently and foolishly creating a Frankenstein monster? 

Trump Warns Europe of Losing National Identity 

The Guardian wrote on December 5: 

“[A new American strategy] document, with a signed introduction by Trump, says Europe is in economic decline but its ‘real problems are even deeper’, including ‘activities of the EU that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition … and loss of national identities’… 

“The 33-page exposition…  appears to espouse the… ‘great replacement’ conspiracy theory [which claims ethnic white European populations are deliberately being replaced by non-white peoples], saying several countries risk becoming ‘majority non-European’ and Europe faces ‘the real and stark prospect of civilisational erasure’… 

“The policy document, released by the White House late on Thursday, underscores the Trump administration’s clear alignment with Europe’s far-right nationalist parties, whose policies centre on attacking supposed EU overreach and excessive non-EU migration… With far-right parties either in government, supporting rightwing coalitions or leading in the polls in several EU member states, the document says the ‘growing influence of patriotic European parties … gives cause for great optimism’.” 

Europe is not amused. Note the next article. 

“Mind Your Own Business” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on December 5: 

“German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU)… said Berlin did not need external lectures on freedom of expression or the organization of democratic societies… 

“Jürgen Hardt, the foreign policy spokesman of Germany’s ruling conservative CDU/CSU alliance was also critical of the US strategy. ‘The assessment of the US president on Europe, it’s very much single colored, maybe due to information he got from the wrong sides like right [wing] radical parties in Europe, or sometimes it sounds like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin talking about Europe,’ Hardt told DW. 

“Hardt expressed concerns about the US strategy, suggesting Trump ‘wants to engage actively in politics in European Union member states.’ ‘We did not [engage] in the US, and we expect that the US is not doing so in German democracies,’ he said… 

“The European Commission strongly rejected the accusations against the EU that the US strategy made.” 

Trump to Divide Europe?

The Daily Mail wrote on December 11:

“A US defense website claims to have seen a leaked document unveiling a dramatic US proposal to prise four countries away from the European Union…  The secret file, reported by Defense One, supposedly claims Trump intends to pull Austria, Italy, Hungary and Poland away from the EU and closer in to Washington’s circle of influence – a move that would rip through the continent’s political landscape…

“The White House has since come out swinging, vehemently denying the claims as the leak triggered widespread alarm among European media outlets and spiralled across social platforms…

“But Defense One upped the stakes hours later, publishing extracts from what it described as a ‘fuller version’ of the strategy that reportedly circulated behind closed doors before the White House unveiled the public edition. According to the outlet, the more expansive draft explicitly listed Poland, Austria, Italy and Hungary as countries the US should ‘work more with… with the goal of pulling them away from the [European Union].’..

“The reaction to the strategy from Europe was instant and furious…”

 Austria responded by condemning Trump’s planned strategy. It is clear that they accept the leaked document as genuine.

The US No Longer on Europe’s Side 

Bild Online wrote on December 8: 

“The new US ‘National Security Strategy’ is changing the world – and times will change even more rapidly for Europe and Germany than before. Experts are concerned and making dramatic predictions… 

“A top foreign policy expert is now outlining the painful consequences for Germany. ‘The new US foreign policy stance is a second turning point,’ said Norbert Röttgen, deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. ‘For the first time since the end of World War II, the US is no longer on the side of the Europeans. It is no longer on the side of Ukraine, a country against which a brutal war of annihilation is being waged in violation of international law.'” 

Europeans See a Hostile U.S. 

The Washington Post wrote on December 9: 

“Relations between the U.S. and Europe hit a low point as President Donald Trump’s security strategy slams Europe but largely ignores threats from Russia and China… 

“A new U.S. national security strategy berating Europe has triggered a wave of acrimony across the Atlantic, enraging and dismaying European officials who say the document has turned the Trump administration’s vitriol against European democracies into formal policy. 

“President Donald Trump’s push to halt the war in Ukraine on terms favorable to Russia, as well as the European Union’s announcement Friday of a roughly $140 million fine against X for violating the bloc’s digital rules, have fueled the fire, pushing transatlantic relations to their lowest point since Trump returned to the White House in January. 

“Elon Musk, the owner of X, is calling for abolishing the E.U., and Trump supporters are railing against the 27-nation bloc… Tensions erupted after the U.S. strategy painted the E.U. as a bigger threat than Russia or China… The document lays bare the depth of the rift in the 80-year-old Western alliance, European officials and analysts say, and serves as proof that European nations should strive for greater military independence. 

“From the start of Trump’s term, the president’s inner circle has bashed Europe… European Council President António Costa… urged Europe to understand that ‘post-World War II alliances have changed’ and to get ready to ‘protect ourselves not only against our adversaries, but also against the allies who challenge us.’… 

“Former E.U. commissioner Thierry Breton [stated] that the ‘very shocking’ document puts it ‘in black and white’ that the White House sees European institutions ‘as an enemy’ it wants to ‘destabilize.’… 

“This is certainly not the first transatlantic rift. During George W. Bush’s administration, there was a bitter split over the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and Trump’s first term was also divisive. But polling this year suggests growing alienation, with more and more Europeans viewing ties with America negatively or even as adversarial… Trump once said the E.U… was formed to ‘screw’ the United States… 

“But not everyone was displeased by the U.S. vision for Europe. The Alternative for Germany (AfD)… cheered the security strategy as ‘a foreign policy reality check for Europe, and especially for Germany.’ Hungary’s… prime minister, Viktor Orban… praised Musk ‘for holding the line’ against what he called an ‘attack on X’…  As Europeans fumed, Moscow welcomed aspects of the new U.S. strategy… 

“Some, however, criticized E.U. and national leaders for not hitting back harder. The E.U.’s former top diplomat, Josep Borrell, on Tuesday called the U.S. strategy ‘a declaration of political war’… Borrell called on European leaders to ‘stop pretending that Trump is not our adversary, hiding behind a fearful and complacent silence, and instead assert the EU’s sovereignty.’” 

Trump’s Interview with Politico 

Politico wrote on December 12: 

“President Donald Trump denounced Europe as a ‘decaying’ group of nations led by ‘weak’ people in an interview with POLITICO, belittling the traditional U.S. allies for failing to control migration and end the Russia-Ukraine war… The broadside attack against European political leadership represents the president’s most virulent denunciation to date of these Western democracies, threatening a decisive rupture with countries like France and Germany that already have deeply strained relations with the Trump administration… 

“In recent days, European capitals have shuddered with dismay at the release of Trump’s new National Security Strategy, a highly provocative manifesto that cast the Trump administration in opposition to the mainstream European political establishment… In the interview, Trump amplified that worldview.” 

Trump also said this in the interview:

“… if it keeps going the way it’s going, Europe will not be … in my opinion, uh, many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer. Their immigration policy is a disaster. What they’re doing with immigration is a disaster…. Europe, they’re coming in from all parts of the world. Not just the Middle East, they’re coming in from the Congo, tremendous numbers of people coming from the Congo. And even worse, they’re coming from prisons of the Congo and many other countries.” 

When asked whether the USA and Europe will remain allies, he answered: 

“You know, it depends. They’ll change their ideology, obviously, because the people coming in have a totally different ideology. But uh, it’s uh … it’s gonna make them much weaker. They’ll be a much … they’ll be much weaker, and they’ll be much different… When they allow millions of people to pour into their countries, many of these people are committing tremendous crimes…  I get reports that you will never see. And I think it’s horrible what’s happening to Europe. I think it’s endangering Europe as we know it.” 

“Europe—You Are on Your Own!” 

On December 10, The Daily Mail published the following article by Andrew Neil:

“Donald Trump to Europe: ‘You’re on your own, losers. Bye!’ That’s the blunt message at the heart of his administration’s new National Security Strategy… 

“Now, in a lot of what Trump has to say about Europe, he’s not wrong. Europe is indeed cursed with a weak and feckless leadership… Even so, the implications of Trump’s new strategy document are chilling… It would be hard to think of a more dramatic rupture between America and the governing elites of Europe’s most important countries, including Germany, France and even Britain. If Trump truly means what his strategy paper says, it’s hard to see Nato in its current guise surviving for long… 

“His Ukraine peace plan is going nowhere. I suspect he’ll simply throw his toys out of the pram and give up, abandoning Europe at a time when it is ill-equipped to stand on its own two feet… even as Putin, encouraged by Trump’s indifference, grows more emboldened on Europe’s eastern borders.” 

EU’s Fine of Musk Attack on America? 

Fox Business wrote on December 6: 

“Elon Musk and Trump administration officials delivered blistering criticism of the European Union after its executive branch issued a $140 million fine against Musk’s social media platform, X. ‘The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people,’ Musk wrote on X on Saturday.. 

“The European Commission said Friday it was fining X for ‘non-compliance with transparency obligations’ under the Digital Services Act (DSA), adding that it was specifically ‘holding X accountable’ for what the EU deems ‘deceptive’ design of X’s ‘blue checkmark,’ a ‘lack of transparency of its advertising repository,’ and ‘failure to provide access to public data for researchers.’ …

“On Friday, in response to an X post from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, calling the fine an ‘abomination’ and saying that President Donald Trump should impose sanctions ‘until this travesty is reversed,’ Musk replied, ‘The “EU” imposed this crazy fine not just on X, but also on me personally, which is even more insane! Therefore, it would seem appropriate to apply our response not just to the EU, but also to the individuals who took this action against me,’ Musk wrote… 

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that the fine ‘isn’t just an attack on X, it’s an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments.’.. 

“Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on X, ‘The Digital Services Act is designed to stifle free speech and American tech companies…’ 

“‘Foreign bureaucrats have zero right to tell Americans what they can and can’t say,’ added Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo….” 

At the same time, the Trump Administration tries to tell Europeans what they can and can’t say (note the articles above). 

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X: 

“What’s even worse is that the US is in a MILITARY ALLIANCE with the very countries attacking us via the EU. As noted earlier this year, this contradiction cannot continue. The nations of Europe cannot look to the US for their own security at the same time they affirmatively undermine the security of the US itself through the (unelected, undemocratic, and unrepresentative) EU. This fine is just the tip of the iceberg. As I mentioned to every European leader I just met at the NATO Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, the EU’s support of the Communist and anti-American regime in Cuba is another striking example of the EU affirmatively undermining US security while the vast majority of its member states look to the US for their own security via NATO… the time for games is over.”

This is tough language, showing that the “friendship” between the USA and the EU is declining fast. 

EU Censors US? 

On December 8, 2025, Zerohedge published the following article by Tyler Durden: 

“Elon Musk is not taking the outrageous fine from Brussels bureaucrats lying down, lashing out at EU officialdom for taking on Nazi characteristics and oppressing their own citizens’ best interests… Musk also re-shared a post about Irish teacher Enoch Burke, who was jailed for refusing to use transgender pronouns, and later replied to another user, ‘So many politicians in Europe who are traitors to their own people.’ And Musk highlighted the fact that Meta has a verification program similar to X’s, yet the EU hasn’t onerously fined the more censorship-prone Meta… 

“The EU has virtually declared war on free speech and is targeting American companies… Not surprisingly, X was the chosen target – a company blamed by many in the EU and the U.S. for rolling back free-speech protections. In essence, it’s punishment for not bending the knee to the EU’s iron-fisted control over online content… This isn’t a one-off slap; it’s the culmination of years of threats and harassment… Further, Musk brings receipts showing the European Union sent him a formal letter demanding that he censor Donald Trump during the 2024 US presidential election… 

“At the heart of it all is the EU’s obsession with controlling information flows… These moves expose the hypocrisy: the EU claims to champion democracy but builds an Orwellian apparatus that monitors, scans, and punishes speech. It’s not about safety—it’s about power. This latest EU assault on X has infuriated US Vice President JD Vance, who yesterday, as rumors of the impending penalty circulated, took to X and posted: ‘The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage.’…  German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called Vance’s opinions ‘unacceptable,’ proving Vance’s point about normalized authoritarianism… 

“With Trump back in the White House and Vance as a key ally, expect pushback: America won’t stand idly by as allies erode the very freedoms that define the West. The $140 million hit on X isn’t just a fine—it’s a declaration of war on uncensored dialogue. Musk’s platform remains one of the last major outposts where ideas flow freely, unhampered by globalist filters. As the EU tightens its grip, the message is clear: comply or be crushed… This is just the first salvo in a war that some of us have warned is coming.” 

Voluntary Military Service in Germany – For Now! 

BBC wrote on December 5: 

“Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military service… It marks a significant shift in Germany’s approach to its military and follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s push to create Europe’s strongest conventional army. 

“The change means that all 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women. 

“Students at schools across Germany have said they will join strikes in as many as 90 cities on Friday to protest against the move… Many young Germans either oppose the new law or are sceptical. ‘We don’t want to spend half a year of our lives locked up in barracks, being trained in drill and obedience and learning to kill,’ the organisers of the protests wrote in a statement posted on social media. ‘War offers no prospects for the future and destroys our livelihoods.’ In Hamburg alone, about 1,500 people were expected to join the protests, and school head teachers warned parents not to take their children out of school for the day. 

“The government says military service will be voluntary for as long as possible, but from July 2027, all 18-year-old men will have to take a medical exam to assess their fitness for possible military service… While the plan is for voluntary service, if the security situation worsens or if too few volunteers came forward, a form of compulsory military service could be considered by the Bundestag…” 

Many young people see the writing on the wall. Politicians don’t care and move full steam ahead. Note the next article.

Young Germans Opposed to Conscription 

Sky News reported on December 6: 

“Across the country, students gathered to demonstrate against what they fear will be a return to conscription. In Berlin, they held signs saying, ‘You can’t have our lives if we don’t eat your lies’… 

“While most demonstrators were in their late teens or twenties, some parents also turned out with their younger children. One mother held a placard declaring: ‘You can’t have my son’… ‘None of us want to die for a country that doesn’t really care about us,’ [a student] tells me… [Another demonstrator said:] ‘I don’t think it’s right to send children or anyone against their will into the military, because war is just wrong…’ 

“‘From my friends no one wants to volunteer because we don’t want to fight for a problem that’s not really ours. We didn’t start the problems, they [the government] did,’ says [another student.]” 

Europe Is Arming Fast 

Patreon wrote on December 5: 

“Europe is undergoing one of its most consequential military transformations in decades, led by a Germany that is quietly but decisively reshaping the continent’s defence architecture. Berlin has unveiled a sweeping €377 billion, 39-page procurement blueprint designed to forge what officials now openly call ‘the strongest conventional army in Europe.’ This unprecedented rearmament push, spanning land, air, sea, cyber and space, marks a fundamental departure from Germany’s post-Cold War posture — and signals the emergence of a nation preparing for confrontation in the absence of any direct, imminent threat. 

“Politically, the shift has been accelerated by conservative leader Friedrich Merz, who has argued that the Bundeswehr must be given ‘all the financial resources it needs.’ Behind that message lies a reordering of national priorities: cuts to social spending paired with record-scale defence investments. With Germany carving military spending out of its constitutional debt brake, Berlin now has the ability to sustain vast, multi-year procurement programmes. More than 320 new weapons projects are planned for the next budget cycle alone, with nearly half ready to be awarded to contractors — overwhelmingly German firms. Rheinmetall leads the pack, poised to receive more than €88 billion, followed by missile-maker Diehl Defence. 

“Germany’s ambitions extend far beyond terrestrial borders. More than €14 billion is earmarked for new satellite capabilities, including a €9.5 billion low-Earth-orbit constellation, forming the backbone of a €35 billion push into military space systems.

“But Germany is not alone. Poland has emerged as a central European military power, with its defence budget tripling in a decade and reaching 4.12 percent of GDP in 2024 — the highest in NATO… these developments signal a new European chapter defined by rearmament, industrial revival and rising geopolitical tensions — with profound implications for citizens, budgets and the continent’s long-term stability.” 

“Stop Relying on Washington” 

Politico wrote on December 4: 

“It’s time for Europeans to stop trailing behind Donald Trump and instead draw up their own peace plan for Ukraine, Defense Commissioner [and former Lithuanian prime minister] Andrius Kubilius told POLITICO. 

“The EU ‘needs to be independent or at least be ready to be strong in geopolitical developments, including to have our plans on how peace in Ukraine can be brought and to discuss them with our transatlantic partners,’ Kubilius said.” 

He also said that Europe needs to stop relying on US-led proposals. 

Finland Not Ready to Give NATO-Style Guarantees to Ukraine

Helsinki Times wrote on December 2: 

“Finland will not offer NATO-style security guarantees to Ukraine, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Tuesday. Speaking at a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Espoo, Orpo confirmed that Finland is prepared to assist in developing Ukraine’s security structures [through logistical and organizational support], but not to provide commitments comparable to NATO’s Article 5… 

“Orpo emphasised that only major powers such as the United States or larger European countries could realistically commit to security guarantees… Kristersson… said he would not comment directly on the guarantee issue but stated that Ukraine’s strongest protection is its own armed forces. He said European support should focus on helping Ukraine maintain a capable military.” 

Belgium Opposed to Freezing Russian Assets 

The Press United wrote on December 3: 

“Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has launched a new attack on the EU’s plan to use frozen Russian assets for a loan to Ukraine, describing it as ‘a complete illusion’ to think that Kiev could defeat Moscow and force it to pay reparations. 

“Under the proposal, the bloc would leverage about €140 billion ($162 billion) in immobilized Russian sovereign assets – most of them held at Brussels-based clearing house Euroclear – to guarantee a so-called ‘reparations loan’ for Ukraine. Belgium has vehemently protested the plan… 

“Russia, meanwhile, has branded such ideas ‘theft’ and warned of far-reaching legal and retaliatory steps if its reserves are stolen… 

“The Belgian leader further warned that Moscow would not ‘calmly accept’ confiscation, pointing to the risk that Russia could seize Western-owned factories and some €16 billion ($18.6 billion) held by Euroclear in Russia. He added that Belarus or China could follow suit by targeting Western assets on their soil.” 

Russian Money for Ukraine to the US? 

Handelsblatt wrote on December 4: 

“A new dispute is brewing between the EU and the US: It concerns the use of the €210 billion of the Russian central bank’s assets frozen in Europe. The EU wants to access these assets to support Ukraine. But Washington has its own plans.

“In an interview with Handelsblatt, the US ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, said he expects the assets to be used according to American wishes. From the US perspective, the seized billions are part of the bargaining chips for peace talks with Moscow… 

“In a guest article published Wednesday in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) reaffirmed that Europe cannot ‘leave the decision to other, non-European states regarding what happens to the financial resources of an aggressor that have been legally frozen within the jurisdiction of our rule of law and in our own currency.’”

Tagesschau added on December 5: 

“Merz rejects US demands to transfer a large portion of the funds to the United States. ‘This money must flow to Ukraine and help Ukraine.’ The US government is also aware of this position [according to Merz].” 

There are now many areas where the USA and the EU disagree fundamentally.

Zelensky Rejects Trump’s “Peace Plan” 

MSN wrote on December 8: 

“Ukraine will not surrender territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared Monday, rejecting a central Russian demand that President Donald Trump had incorporated into his latest proposal to end the Kremlin’s war. ‘Under our laws, under international law — and under moral law — we have no right to give anything away,’ Zelensky said, after meeting with top European leaders to discuss Trump’s plan Monday. ‘That is what we are fighting for.’ The unequivocal declaration that Ukraine will not surrender land could mark the collapse of Trump’s plan, which critics condemned as fulfilling a wish list of Russian President Vladimir Putin… 

“Zelensky said Ukraine will not surrender its territory in the eastern Donbas region — not to hasten peace talks, not to satisfy Washington’s push for compromise and not under pressure from Moscow’s continuing military onslaught… Trump over the weekend again cast Kyiv as the obstacle to the American-championed proposal, accusing Zelensky of slow-walking the plan, even as Moscow has shown little, if any, willingness to compromise on its maximalist demands. 

“Trump’s continuing pressure, including his stern tone toward Ukraine and apparent openness to granting Putin’s territorial claims, has unnerved European capitals… Even before Zelensky’s outright rejection of ceding land, Ukraine and its European supporters voiced deep apprehension about Trump’s initiative, which some said originally was so favorable to Russia that they believed it had been drafted by the Kremlin…” 

Merz and Spahn At Odds

Bild Online wrote on December 5: 

“Distrust reigns between the CDU/CSU and the SPD. Many MPs no longer trust their coalition partner… 

“Furthermore, Merz and his parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn have even more opponents within their own ranks as of today. Many MPs resent the way they were pressured before the vote [on the pension issue]…

When Merz falls, will Spahn survive? 

Merz for a Two-State Solution 

ntv wrote on December 7: 

“A meeting between the Chancellor and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planned. At the meeting, Merz says he wants to promote the implementation of the two-state solution, i.e. the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. 

“He also wants to call on Israel to provide better humanitarian care for the people in the Gaza Strip. The Chancellor also wants to raise the tense situation in the West Bank…” 

It was only a matter of time before Merz, who proclaimed strong support for Israel, would stab Israel in the back. 

China’s New Warrior Robots 

Interesting Engineering wrote on December 3: 

“China has showcased its new type of military robot during a recent event. The robot is reportedly capable of matching every move of soldiers using artificial intelligence… The new combat robot is claimed to be an effort of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to develop autonomous combat systems for modern warfare. The Asian giant previously showcased gun-toting robotic dogs… 

“The report revealed that the new robotic system works by having a human operator wear a motion-sensing suit; whatever moves the person makes — punches, defensive maneuvers, or other actions — the robot replicates almost instantly.”

The Bible speaks about 200 million “horsemen” from the Far East invading Europe. Warrior robots seem to play a big part in this number. 

“Listen to the People, President Trump — They Really DO Feel Economic Pain” 

The conservative and Trump-friendly New York Post Editorial Board wrote on December 8: 

“President Donald Trump… needs to be careful: Slamming Democrats’ talk of ‘affordability’ as a ‘con job’… make it seem he doesn’t think people are suffering… [He] must admit the frustration is painfully real: Three-quarters of Americans view the economy negatively, a Fox News survey found last month. That’s up from the 70% who felt that way at the end of Joe Biden’s presidency. 

“Nearly half say Trump’s policies have hurt the economy, vs. just 15% who say they’ve helped… when voters feel pain, they don’t take well to being told they’re just wrong… prices… are still rising, with inflation stuck about 3%; wage growth is also slow, particularly for lower-income workers. 

“Trump’s tariffs are partly to blame; for example, new cars, whose prices are significantly affected by import fees, now average a mind-blowing $50,000, per Kelley Blue Book… voters elected him to fix things — and so far they haven’t seen great progress…. 

“Ending wars is great, but pretty distant from the kitchen table. With the midterm elections just 11 months off, Trump can’t afford to ignore [the economy].”

But Trump Is Not Listening!!! 

ABC News wrote on December 9: 

“In a speech the White House billed as President Donald Trump’s kickoff event for a tour around the country focused on his economic agenda ahead of next year’s midterm elections, Trump passed off any blame for high costs onto his predecessor almost a year into his second term. 

“Speaking for nearly an hour and 40 minutes, Trump strayed from the issue of affordability, launching into derogatory language to call out his political opponents, and prompting his supporters into a ‘Send her back’ chant about Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar.” 

“Kill Them All” 

The Ron Paul Institute published on December 4 the following article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano: 

“When Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted a meme of Franklin the Turtle, the amiable child’s cartoon character, in a helicopter using a military weapon to kill people in a small boat below him, and captioned it ‘For your Christmas wish list,’ it understandably caused an uproar. Should the secretary of defense be mocking the people his troops have killed? Should he engage a child’s cartoon character to produce this mockery? Should anyone in his right mind, who professes to understand Christianity, suggest that this killing should be on a child’s Christmas wish list? Should he be killing nonviolent boatpeople?… 

“President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Defense to annihilate persons in speedboats in the Caribbean Sea, 1,500 miles from the United States and elsewhere. The true targets of these killings are not the boats but the persons in the boats. We know this because the president has stated so, and because in a particularly gruesome event, two survivors of an initial attack on Sept. 2, 2025, who were clinging to the broken remains of their boat hoping to be rescued, were hit with a second attack, which obliterated them… 

“These killings constitute murder under federal law and under international law, and persons who use the force of government to commit murder may themselves be prosecuted for it in US courts, courts of the countries from which their victims came, and in international courts. These killings constitute murder because none of the 81 dead boatpeople was engaged in any violence at the times of their deaths… If the police see a nonviolent person distributing dangerous drugs in an American city, can they summarily kill that person? Of course not… 

“The Washington Post reported that seven sources — seven — informed its reporters that when military personnel saw two boat survivors floating at sea, they asked the chain of command what to do. Under the law, the military had a duty to rescue the folks they tried and failed to murder.

“These seven persons have corroborated that Hegseth verbally ordered that the two survivors be killed — an order he denies having given, but which the White House has confirmed, laughably calling it ‘self-defense.’ That’s when Hegseth posted his macabre, revolting, anti-Christian suggestion of murder for Christmas.” 

On December 4, Newsmax wrote: 

“A Navy admiral told lawmakers Thursday that there was no ‘kill them all’ order… Adm. Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley ‘was very clear that he was given no such order, to give no quarter or to kill them all…’ said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark..” 

Both accounts cannot be correct. It is clear that someone is lying. 

Still Justified? 

The Guardian reported on December 5 

“The US admiral who directed an attack on suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean on 2 September told lawmakers this week that the small boat destroyed by the US military is a series of strikes was moving narcotics to a larger vessel bound for the South American nation of Suriname, not the United States… Suriname is a transit country for South American cocaine [not fentanyl], the majority of which is likely destined for Europe…” 

CNN added on December 6: 

“Bradley argued there was still a possibility the drug shipment could have ultimately made its way from Suriname to the US…, telling lawmakers that justified striking the smaller boat even if it wasn’t directly heading to US shores at the time it was hit…. The new detail adds yet another wrinkle to the Trump administration’s argument that striking the boat multiple times, and killing survivors, was necessary in order to protect the US from an imminent threat… 

“The US military ultimately struck the boat four times—the first time splitting the boat in half and leaving two survivors clinging to a capsized portion…  The second, third and fourth strikes killed them and sunk the vessel. The survivors were also waving at something in the air… although it’s unclear whether they might have been surrendering or asking the US aircraft they had spotted for help.”

Whether legal or not, according to man’s laws, all these actions are sinful and ungodly according to God’s standards. 

Minister of War Pete Hegseth—How the Times Have Changed 

CNN Politics wrote on December 8: 

“In 2016, as then-presidential candidate Donald Trump vowed that US troops would carry out even his most extreme battlefield orders as commander in chief — some of which former military leaders said would be illegal — Pete Hegseth warned that service members had a duty to refuse unlawful orders from a potential President Trump… 

“As a Fox News contributor and former Army National Guard officer, Hegseth was frequently asked to weigh in on Trump’s national security proposals, and in the 2016 appearances he echoed that consensus view: that service members could face criminal consequences for carrying out illegal commands, that the military’s ethos requires refusing such orders, and that military members may have to refuse Trump.” 

What happened? It’s a rhetorical question, of course.

Crazy: Tourists to Provide Social Media History… and More! 

The Sun wrote on December 10: 

“TOURISTS entering America will have their social media histories checked at border control, if the latest Trump administration mandate is enforced.

“The proposed social media screening would apply to all tourists… entering the US, regardless of whether they need a visa or not… 

“Currently,… tourists [on the visa waiver program] do not require a visa to visit the US and instead can complete Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA).

“The Federal Register notice states it would be mandatory for all foreign tourists to provide data from their social media from the past five years, including email addresses and phone numbers. Names, addresses, numbers and birthdays of family members would also be included in the compulsory information passed to the country’s border force.” 

The New York Times added on December 10: 

“In a document filed on Tuesday in the Federal Register, C.B.P. (Customs and Border Protection) said it plans to require applicants to provide a long list of personal data including social media, email addresses from the last decade, and the names, birth dates, places of residence and birthplaces of parents, spouses, siblings and children.” 

This is totally insane and blatantly illegal 

Insane—Trump’s New Requirements for Tourists

Daily Mail wrote on December 11:

“Overseas travellers… could soon be required to make every post they’ve made on social media in the last five years open to scrutiny, with any hint of anti-American sentiment likely to land them in hot water with border officials.  

“The controversial plan follows other recent proposals, including asking tourists to pay a $15,000 bond to guarantee they won’t overstay their 90-day tourist visas.   

“People entering the US will also be asked to provide email addresses [for the last ten years], phone numbers and information on their family members in order to achieve safe passage…

“Peter Greenberg, aka The Travel Detective, [said] that the US faces losing huge tourist revenue if the plans go ahead. The News Travel Editor at CBS said: ‘They’re proposing up to a $15,000 bond to guarantee that when a visit is over, they don’t extend their visa and they come home. How many people can afford that? Adding to that [the bond] is the new proposal that tourists may have to provide five years of social media history that needs to be inspected. Add those things together and you’ll understand already why there’s been a huge drop in inbound travel to the United States this summer, resulting in lost revenue that can never be recouped.’ 

“To avoid unnecessary waits and checks at the airport, ticking all the admin boxes before you get on the plane will make going through the US border less painful. A spokesperson for ABTA, the UK’s trade organisation for tour operators and travel agents, told the Daily Mail that fans who are determined to make it to the World Cup next summer should apply for… ESTA, now, before booking travel and tickets… ‘If you are unable to get an ESTA you will need to go in person to apply for a visa, which can take some time.’”

If you thought Trump’s crazy immigration policy could not get any crazier, here you go… and, of course, it will contribute to the destruction of the USA.

Birthright Citizenship 

NBC News wrote on December 5: 

“… the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide the lawfulness of President Donald Trump’s contentious plan to roll back automatic birthright citizenship for nearly anyone born in the United States… 

“Birthright citizenship has long been understood to be required under the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which states: ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.’ The language was included in the constitutional amendment enacted after the Civil War to ensure that Black former slaves and their children were recognized as citizens. 

“Legal scholars of all ideological stripes have generally assumed the phrase to be self-explanatory, with the only exceptions being people born to foreign diplomats, invading hostile forces and members of some Native American tribes. But Trump, as part of his immigration crackdown, has sought to unravel that historical understanding, embracing a hitherto fringe theory pushed by anti-immigration activists.”

This time, the Supreme Court is supposed to rule on the merits, unlike last time, when it just ruled evasively on jurisdictional issues [For example, can courts issue nationwide injunctions?]. A decision by the Supreme Court is expected in June. Let us hope that they make the only correct decision in line with the Constitution—to uphold birthright citizenship. 

No More Dual Citizenship? 

It gets crazier and crazier. A bill was introduced by Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Morenoa to ban dual citizenship. That would even apply to Melania and Barron Trump who hold citizenship in the United States and Slovenia. Unfortunately, Germany wants to follow Trump in this respect. 

Bild Online wrote on December 8: 

“A tough legislative initiative in the USA: Dual citizenship is threatened with extinction! If Republican Senator Bernie Moreno has his way, US dual citizens will soon have to relinquish their second passport… Millions of people in the USA would be affected. 

“Leading politicians from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) now see the planned US model as a blueprint for Germany and want to bring about the end of dual citizenship here as well… BUT: Parts of the ‘plans being discussed in the USA,’ such as the ‘retroactive abolition’ of the already permitted dual passport, would probably be ‘neither constitutionally nor politically feasible’ in Germany.”

Trump’s Gaza “Peace Plan” Falling Apart? 

The Algemeiner wrote on December 8: 

“As the United States pushes for the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire to begin, Israel is warning that Qatar and Turkey are trying to shield Hamas from disarmament as the Palestinian terrorist group seeks to reassert control over the war-torn enclave. 

“Qatar and Turkey have proposed alternatives to a central provision of Trump’s peace plan… Rather than requiring Hamas to disarm, Qatari and Turkish officials have pushed for the Islamist group either to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority or place them in secure storage under international oversight. As part of this plan, Qatar and Turkey are reportedly advocating a two-year grace period during which Hamas could legally retain its weapons. 

“However, Israeli officials have rejected these options as unacceptable, arguing they would allow the terrorist group to maintain its influence in Gaza, which Hamas has ruled for nearly two decades. Israel has made clear it will allow Hamas just a few months to give up its weapons, warning it will act unilaterally if the group is not disarmed promptly.

“Turkey and Qatar [have been] longtime backers of Hamas… Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected any Turkish or Qatari involvement in post-war Gaza… 

“Qatar and Turkey are now insisting that Israel must withdraw from Gaza before Hamas can disarm — a demand Jerusalem vehemently opposes, warning it would give the terrorist group time to reassert full control over its half of Gaza and remove any incentive to disarm later on… 

“Since the ceasefire took effect two months ago, Hamas has targeted Palestinians who it labeled as ‘lawbreakers and collaborators with Israel,’ sparking widespread clashes and violence as the group moves to seize weapons and eliminate any opposition. Social media videos widely circulated online show Hamas members brutally beating Palestinians and carrying out public executions of alleged collaborators and rival militia members.” 

This “peace plan,” for which Trump got a “peace prize” from the corrupt FIFA [see below], was doomed to failure from the outset. How one can have Turkey and Qatar participate in the process of establishing peace with terrorists is beyond sanity. Also, one of the wars which Trump allegedly ended, is still ongoing. 

As Reuters reported on December 10: “Thailand and Cambodia traded accusations of targeting civilians in artillery and rocket attacks on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would try to intervene to stop the fighting and salvage a ceasefire he brokered earlier this year.” The Thai Prime Minister allegedly wrote online that he will no longer negotiate with Trump and will no longer take orders from him. 

Trump’s peace deals collapse one after another. 

The FIFA Gala Turns Into a Bizarre Pandering to Donald Trump 

ntv wrote on December 5: 

“In a bizarre show, ostensibly billed as the World Cup draw for next year’s biggest football tournament of all time, the smitten and self-abasing FIFA boss Gianni Infantino unknowingly gifted the sport to the US president. Trump was canonized that evening. As the peace angel he fancies himself… 

“And Trump was then allowed to participate in his own canonization: He spoke of it as ‘one of the greatest honors of my life.’ He thus elevated the award above the Nobel Peace Prize, which he so desired and which he deserved according to Infantino’s world… 

“Trump praises his relationship with the Canadian Prime Minister. What a joke! Just a few months ago, he wanted to annex Canada as the 51st state… 

“Infantino, of course, personally presents the gigantic trophy! What a sycophantic scene… The man who deployed the National Guard in his own country…” 

Infantino, as the FIFA president, has been controversial for years (according to Die Welt). FIFA—the international federation of football associations—has been embroiled in numerous scandals, not least because of bribery and corruption. Furthermore, many of the controversial rules established by FIFA have long been under attack. FIFA can certainly spoil the enjoyment of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But this is always the case when politics gets involved. 

An Act of Cronyism 

Die Welt wrote on December 5:

 “‘A clumsy attempt at pandering by FIFA,’ said ZDF commentator Oliver Schmidt… ‘Has an act of cronyism ever been so blatant, ever so public?’”

An Absolute Spectacle of Horror 

t-online wrote on December 5: 

“This draw will be remembered – unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. This gala in Washington, D.C., was one of the most absurd events in recent sports history. The way football and politics became intertwined, the way FIFA President Gianni Infantino fawned over and flattered US President Donald Trump – it was an absolute spectacle of horror. 

“FIFA has done a lot to lose credibility in recent years. But with this draw, it has outdone itself in a negative way… When Infantino presented Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize, it was clear: things couldn’t get any crazier – or more unpleasant…” 

A Bizarre Ceremony

Express wrote on December 5: 

“Football fans have reacted with fury as Donald Trump plays a major role at the World Cup 2026 draw in Washington. The US president was awarded a peace prize and allowed to take part in the draw, sparking frustration from viewers on social media platform X… 

“One person wrote: ‘…  There was global condemnation & constant crying at Qatar having the World Cup. What we are witnessing with USA & Trump is so comfortably worse & a bigger disgrace for the sport & the globe, but of course, no one will care because it’s the West. Hypocrites…’” 

Shameless 

The Daily Mail wrote on December 5: 

“In a display of sycophancy so cringe-inducing it almost veered beyond satire, Mr Infantino presented President Trump with the award in recognition of his ‘extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity throughout the world’… 

“Yesterday’s draw for the World Cup group stage at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC often fell flat with a seemingly perplexed crowd and Mr Infantino’s shameless courting of the President…” 

Australian Youth Banned From Social Media 

NBC News wrote on December 9: 

“More than 1 million social media accounts held by users under 16 are set to be deactivated in Australia on Wednesday in a divisive world-first ban that has inflamed a culture war and is being closely watched in the United States and elsewhere. Social media companies will have to take ‘reasonable steps’ to ensure that under-16s in Australia cannot set up accounts on their platforms and that existing accounts are deactivated or removed… 

“Social media companies will be responsible for enforcing the ban, paying fines of up to 49.5 Australian dollars (about $32 million) for serious or repeated breaches. Children and parents will not be punished for any infringements. 

“Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, X, Snapchat and Reddit are all set to be age-restricted under the law… All of the platforms have said they will comply…” 

Heading to a Very Dark Place

The Daily Mail published on or about December 6 the following article by Stephen Glover:

“In all sorts of areas this increasingly despised Government is showing a lofty dismissiveness for the rights and concerns of those whom they claim to serve. Tradition is ignored, and established liberties set aside, in the cause of greater efficiency… Look at Labour’s new plans to extend facial recognition technology, which could be deployed in every city, town and village. Under a new consultation launched on Thursday, police could be given access to Britain’s passport database to identify lawbreakers… But do we really want our every movement outside our homes to be monitored by the authorities? Who knows to what uses information garnered in this way might be put by a future government that was positively malign? Even the Home Office admits that live recognition cameras ‘interfere’ with human rights… 

“I feel the same about digital identity cards, which will soon be mandatory for anyone taking a new job. Sir Keir Starmer has told us that they will be useful in preventing illegal immigrants from working. I’ve no doubt we will all have them in the end. Again, greater efficiency is the justification for imposing new restrictions. Most of us would be much happier if Labour found a way of deterring illegal immigrants from coming here in the first place rather than foisting ID cards on us… 

“What makes this Government’s high-handed coercion especially galling is that many of its senior ministers are very far from being morally upright and, in some cases, are fortunate not to have been led away in handcuffs… But then it is precisely because they are not upright that they find it so easy to bully us and tell us what to do, even if that involves stripping us of freedoms which many of us had taken for granted. 

“Nowhere is this more apparent than in the crackdown over free speech. A slew of new laws has made it more difficult for people to speak their minds. The logging of ‘non-crime hate incidents’ – deemed by the police to demonstrate hostility in action or speech – has soared in recent years… more than a third of Britons feel that they have to self-censor their views on race or ethnicity, while 32 per cent said they felt they could not speak freely about immigration or religious extremism. Some 41 per cent hold back their views on transgender issues… 

“With a Government that holds so many of the people in contempt, and a people that comprehensively loathes its Government, we could be heading to a very dark place.” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

USA Willing to Give Occupied Regions to Russia? 

The Telegraph wrote on November 28: 

“The United States is poised to recognise Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories to secure a deal to end the war… Donald Trump has sent his peace envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to make the direct offer to Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

The plan to recognise territory, which breaks US diplomatic convention, is likely to go ahead despite concerns among Ukraine’s European allies.

One well-placed source said: ‘It’s increasingly clear the Americans don’t care about the European position. They say the Europeans can do whatever they want.’… 

“Washington’s apparent offer of recognition has caused concern amongst its European allies, who have repeatedly ruled out backing a peace deal that condones borders being redrawn by force… Until now, the US and Europe have refused to recognise Russia’s control over Crimea, the peninsula that Putin illegally annexed in 2014… 

“In recent days, leaked phone calls showed how Mr Trump’s lead negotiator, Mr Witkoff, was found to have coached Russian officials on how to court the White House… Open source intelligence experts have suggested a European agency could have disclosed this information to expose the blossoming relationship between the presidential aide and the Kremlin…” 

Risk of Major Split 

The Daily Mail added on November 28: 

“The move would mark the most dramatic shift in US policy toward the conflict since Russia seized Crimea in 2014, and risks a major split with European governments that have repeatedly rejected any peace plans involving territorial concessions… 

“European concern has intensified further after leaked recordings revealed Witkoff coaching Russian officials on appealing to the Trump administration. In those calls, he referred to Ukraine needing to give up Donetsk, prompting questions about whether US envoys had already signalled willingness to support Russian demands…”

Europeans would view such an “agreement” with Russia as an American betrayal. No good would come out of it, and the result would be increased anti-American sentiments. 

Preemptive Strikes on Russia? 

The Sun wrote on December 1: 

“RUSSIA has accused Europe of gearing up for ‘major war’ after a top Nato chief claimed the defence pact could launch ‘pre-emptive strikes’ on Vladimir Putin. Moscow hit back at the suggestion, blaming the West for ‘moving towards escalation’… 

“Speculating on Nato’s ability to hit Russia first, [Admiral Giuseppe Cavo] Dragone, [chair of Nato’s Military Committee] said: ‘We are studying everything […] On cyber, we are kind of reactive. Being more aggressive or being proactive instead of reactive is something that we are thinking about.’

“Dragone added that revenge cyber-attacks would be the simplest option, because many Nato member nations hold the capabilities to launch them. Retaliation for physical sabotage or drone incursions would be more complex – but not out of the question. The admiral said that a ‘pre-emptive strike’ could, under certain circumstances, be classified as a defensive action… 

“Nato has already been urged to abandon its reactive stance by several member states – particularly those in eastern Europe which bear the brunt of Russia‘s aggression.” 

Ultimately, this is exactly what will happen, according to biblical prophecy. 

Putin: “If Europe Wants War…” 

Newsmax wrote on December 2:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia did not want a war with European powers but that if Europe did want a war, then Russia was ready right now to fight. Putin said that European powers were making demands on a possible peace settlement for Ukraine that Moscow considers absolutely unacceptable. Putin accused Ukraine’s European allies Tuesday of sabotaging U.S.-led efforts to end the war that have gained momentum in recent weeks… thus ‘blocking the entire peace process,’ only to blame Russia for it. ‘That’s their goal,’ Putin said. 

“… European leaders, who fear Russia’s future territorial ambitions and are trying to figure out how they can fund Ukraine’s fight beyond this year, are trying to make their voices heard after being largely sidelined by Washington…” 

Europe Plans “Nuclear Option”? 

Express wrote on December 1: 

“Trump has fuelled fears among European politicians that the White House is preparing to sacrifice the continent’s security in exchange for US economic gain. 

“European states are considering adopting the ‘nuclear option’ of sinking the US economy, if Donald Trump sells out Ukraine and endangers security on the continent… European leaders remain suspicious that Trump is rushing towards a geopolitical deal with Vladimir Putin while paying little heed to the security concerns of NATO allies. 

“The Wall Street Journal reports a European intelligence service has circulated internal assessments about ‘commercial and economic plans’ the Trump team has been exploring with Russia behind closed doors… Sources told the WSJ that European leaders are considering adopting extreme countermeasures in retaliation, designed to unleash economic chaos in the US. 

“The alleged plan involves dumping trillions in US government debt owned by European states. A rapid sell off would likely cause a crash in the value of the US dollar, create a liquidity crisis across the banking system and cause a huge spike in borrowing costs. It would also lock the American financial sector into a paralysis more severe than the 2008 crisis. 

“A leading European economist [described]… the plan as a potential financial whiplash that could hit the US harder than any external shock in modern history. The political consequences would likely be disastrous for Trump and the Republicans as the midterm elections approach next year. 

“The EU and the UK are among the largest holders of US Treasury securities (US debt), which gives them significant potential economic leverage.

As of December 2024, the United Kingdom holds an estimated $722.7 billion in US debt. The European Union member countries collectively hold an estimated $1.62 trillion. Combined, this is approximately $2.34 trillion, making the EU/UK bloc one of the single largest foreign holders of US debt.” 

This would cause an incurable permanent rift between the two power blocs. 

EU Tells Trump: You Can’t Pardon Putin For War Crimes 

Politico wrote on December 1: 

“Donald Trump’s drive to secure peace in Ukraine must not let Vladimir Putin off the hook for war crimes committed by Russian forces, a top EU official has warned, effectively setting a new red line for a deal… Michael McGrath, the European commissioner for justice and democracy, said negotiators must ensure the push for a ceasefire does not result in Russia escaping prosecution. 

“His comments reflect concerns widely held in European capitals that the original American blueprint for a deal included the promise of a ‘full amnesty for actions committed during the war,’ alongside plans to reintegrate Russia into the world economy. The Trump team’s push to rehabilitate the Kremlin chief comes despite international condemnation of Russia for alleged crimes including the abduction of 20,000 Ukrainian children and attacks targeting civilians…. 

“Ukrainian authorities say they have opened investigations into more than 178,000 alleged Russian crimes since the start of the war… The EU and others have worked to set up a new special tribunal for the crime of aggression with the aim of bringing Russian leaders to justice for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022… In March 2023, judges at the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin…” 

The different positions between the USA and the EU become more and more obvious. 

Germany to Take Over NATO? 

Newsweek wrote on November 30: 

“Comments by President Donald Trump’s envoy to NATO suggesting that Germany take over the American role of the alliance’s European commander signal Washington’s disengagement from European security affairs…

“[U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matthew] Whitaker’s comments follow rumors the U.S. wants to step back from the role and suggest the Trump administration would like to see Germany replace the U.S. as Europe’s main security guarantor.”

Europe to Hit Back? 

Politico wrote on November 27: 

“Russia’s drones and agents are unleashing attacks across NATO countries and Europe is now doing what would have seemed outlandish just a few years ago: planning how to hit back… 

“After Russian war drones were shot down over Poland, NATO said it would boost the alliance’s drone and air defenses on its eastern flank — a call mirrored by the EU. Even that is enraging Moscow.

“Europeans ‘should be afraid and tremble like dumb animals in a herd being driven to the slaughter,’ said [deputy Kremlin Security Council head Dmitry] Medvedev in early October. ‘They should soil themselves with fear, sensing their near and agonizing end.’… 

“So far, countries like Germany and Romania are strengthening rules that would allow authorities to shoot down drones flying over airports and militarily sensitive objects.” 

Too early yet, but ultimately, Europe will be destroyed by Russia and its Far Eastern allies. 

“Germany Raised Its Citizens to Hate War. Now It Wants Us to Enlist in the Army – But We Say No” 

On November 28, the Guardian published the following opinion by Mithu Sanyal, author, academic and broadcaster based in Düsseldorf: 

“After we lost the second world war – or, as we prefer to say, after we were liberated by the allies – we swore ‘never again’: never again to war, and never again to Auschwitz. Admittedly, Germany rearmed in 1955, but just as ‘citizens in uniform’… For most of my life, the German army didn’t venture beyond our borders. Then came reunification in 1990, and during the first sitting of the all-German Bundestag, the then chancellor, Helmut Kohl, announced that we had to step up internationally: in 1994, the law was changed accordingly to allow the Bundeswehr to be deployed ‘out of area’ again. 

“Nonetheless, Germans remained squeamish about the idea that our soldiers might actually do what they have been trained for… That all changed in 1999. I always try to convey to people outside Germany the seismic shift that occurred that year, when our then foreign minister Joschka Fischer declared we had to let go of ‘never again to war’, in order to honour ‘never again to Auschwitz’ – because Serbia was planning what Fischer called a ‘new Auschwitz’ in Kosovo. Invoking the Holocaust was the only way to get the German public to accept our participation in international wars again. 

“So now we’re bringing back conscription – only we call it voluntary conscription… Even Germany’s Protestant church has been re-evaluating its stance on war and the atom bomb this month… with the following conclusion: in these troubled times, ‘Christian pacifism is ethically not justifiable.’  [What blasphemy!] 

“It is scary how fast this is moving – and some of the details are mind-boggling… A few months ago a prominent German feminist pointed out it was against equal rights that our sons had to go into the army… she went on to ask for conscription for our daughters as well… 

“If we enter the Ukrainian war with manpower…, Patrick Sensburg, president of the Bundeswehr Reservists Association, warned that 1,000 soldiers would die or be seriously maimed every day… One of his main concerns was how to replace 1,000 dead human beings each day. The solution: conscription… 

“Likewise, Chancellor Merz knows he is helping to reconstitute the national mood and set a new agenda when he says: ‘We are not at war. But we are no longer at peace.’ So does nearly every politician and… nearly every journalist in Germany. They are participating in what propaganda researchers call cognitive warfare… 

“I agree the war in Ukraine is a crime – so why aren’t we doing everything in our power to end it?…  a country that isn’t doing everything to prevent wars has lost the right to ask its citizens to participate in them. 

“Most Germans under 30 are against conscription– and it’s only Germans that are too old to go to war that are in favor…” 

Very important and CORRECT article. Yes, Germans are being induced by the political establishment and the mass media to love to go to war again… slowly but surely. 

Defense Talks Between Britain and EU Break Down

Vocal Media wrote on November 28: 

“For months, the United Kingdom and the European Union have tried to build a new foundation for defence cooperation. Both sides hoped that, even after Brexit, they could still work together on issues that affect the entire continent—security, technology, and military readiness. But this hope took a serious hit when Britain officially announced that talks to join the EU Defence Fund (EDF) had broken down… 

“Billions of euros are set aside for this fund, and companies from member states can apply for major contracts. If Britain had joined the EDF, its defence industries could have benefited from these opportunities… However, joining the EDF as a non-EU country is complicated. Unlike NATO, the EDF is tightly controlled by the EU, and it requires strict adherence to the bloc’s regulations, data-sharing rules, and research guidelines. This is where the talks began to fall apart… 

“The most important disagreement was about control and decision-making. The EU wanted Britain to follow its rules without giving the U.K. much influence over how the fund operates… 

‘Another conflict involved technology sharing. EU leaders were cautious about allowing a non-member state access to sensitive military research. They worried that sharing information widely—even with a trusted partner—could weaken security or give other countries an advantage.

“The third major issue was political trust, which still hasn’t fully recovered after Brexit…

“In the end, neither side was willing to compromise enough to reach an agreement. As a result, the talks officially collapsed… many analysts believe the U.K. has lost a valuable chance to shape Europe’s defence future… the breakdown marks a disappointing moment in post-Brexit security efforts…” 

“Britain Quits EU Rearmament Deal After £5.7 Billion Demand from France” 

Express wrote on November 29:

“The programme is set to provide up to €150 billion (£130 billion) in long-term loans to member states for defence spending and large-scale investments.

“SAFE [“Security Action for Europe”] is based on EU loans, and French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that the UK must make high contributions to participate in the scheme. A source claimed that the UK was not prepared to pay significantly into the programme and offered a figure lower than £1 billion…

“It is reported that 19 of the 27 EU countries have applied for SAFE loans so far… The money is expected to be issued early next year, with Poland set to receive the highest share with €43.7 billion. Meanwhile, Romania will receive €16.6 billion, with Hungary and France each given €16.2 billion.”

SAFE and EDF refer to multiple different programs and entities, but they are generally not the same program. The acronyms have distinct meanings in different contexts.  

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is an EU initiative to fund cooperative defense research and capability development, which builds on earlier initiatives. The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) is an EU financial instrument providing support to Member States for urgent defense investments. 

Costco Sues Trump Over Tariffs

CNBC wrote on December 1:

“Costco sued the Trump administration [on Friday] to get a full refund of new tariffs it paid so far this year, and to block those import duties from continuing to be collected from the retail warehouse club giant as a Supreme Court case plays out… Costco said that it risks losing the money it has already paid to satisfy the tariffs even if the Supreme Court eventually upholds earlier lower court rulings that found President Donald Trump did not have the legal power to impose those duties.

“The company noted a looming Dec. 15 deadline that could prevent the tariffs that it has already paid on an estimated basis from being refunded… Dozens of other companies have filed similar lawsuits to protect their right to potential refunds in case the Supreme Court rules against the [tariffs]… 

“The Trump administration has warned of the potential fallout of having to refund hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs if the Supreme Court upholds the lower court rulings that Trump did not have authority… to unilaterally impose those duties.’

Trump Is Going Way Too Far

On November 28, the Ron Paul Institute published the following article by Eric Margolis:

“President Donald Trump threatens to hang military officers who have the audacity to tell their troops not to obey unlawful orders. Trump called them ‘traitors’ and suggested they be locked up. The president just crossed the Rubicon… after these threats, he has gone way too far. Americans should be alarmed.

“I enlisted in the US Army in 1969 to become an infantry officer and served in Vietnam… In basic and advanced infantry training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, we were educated in the military code of conduct… The most important single lesson that I vividly recall was the order to refuse any orders seen as illegal – that is, in violation of US law and the Geneva Conventions. This command did not come out of the blue. It was promulgated as a result of the Nuremberg Trials after World War II in which much of the senior German elite was found guilty of war crimes, and many sentenced to death.

“Most of the German officials and soldiers being tried for assorted war crimes claimed they were simply following orders from senior commanders… The Nuremberg Trials were in many ways legalized revenge on a defeated enemy. Particularly so when the victorious allies included the US Air force and RAF who had killed millions of civilians in Europe and Japan, and the Soviets who had killed millions more innocent civilians. 

“Nuremberg was a gigantic kangaroo court, and legalized revenge killings. But the one good thing that came out of it was the rejection of the ‘I was only following orders’ defense. All wars are a crime, but this new statute slightly reduced some of the horrors and murder involved. 

“President Trump now wants to sweep this protection away because he feels his regal authority powers have been challenged. This is a violation of our constitution and laws… It’s too bad Donald Trump managed to evade military service… or he would have a better understanding of this important issue and the legal and customary restraints imposed on his noble office.” 

But what about those under him, supporting him, who served in the military? They undoubtedly should know better. 

Trump’s Mental Decline? 

Mediaite published on November 28 the following opinion by Michael Luciano: 

“President Donald Trump’s spiral into a vicious – and malicious – mental decline continued apace on Thanksgiving, capping off an especially erratic month in which he somehow managed to be even less ‘presidential’ than before. 

“Trump, 79, has displayed increasingly antisocial behavior. This month, he called a reporter ‘piggy’ to her face. Last week, he claimed that six Democratic lawmakers who urged soldiers to ‘refuse illegal orders’ had committed sedition… [He] reposted a post stating, ‘HANG THEM.’ On Wednesday, the president ranted about ‘Somalians’ after an Afghan national… was arrested in connection with the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., one of whom has died. 

“… he erupted at another female reporter… Trump told the reporter, ‘You’re a stupid person.’

“… Trump took to Truth Social, where he railed against Somalis again and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), whom he called ‘seriously retarded’ and claimed that the country’s foreign-born population is composed mostly of people who ‘are on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels.’ The president also baselessly claimed that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), an immigrant who is one of a notable contingent of Somalis in Minnesota, ‘probably’ entered the U.S. illegally and married her brother: ‘… her place of origin is a decadent, backward, and crime ridden nation, which is essentially not even a country for lack of Government, Military, Police, schools, etc…’ 

“Trump’s… actions of late… are well beyond the pale. And this is to say nothing of his actual policies, which have had disastrous and deadly consequences for millions of people in the U.S. and abroad.” 

However, according to India Today, dated November 28, “There is… no proof that Omar, the first Somali-American in Congress, ever married a relative or committed immigration fraud. Trump… also did not elaborate on his bizarre claims… A report in the UK’s Daily Mail claimed that Omar confided to her friends that Elmi was actually her biological brother and the marriage was a scam for immigration purposes.” 

The Huffington Post wrote on November 28:

“Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) hit back pointedly at Donald Trump on Thursday, responding to the president’s latest online attack of him with a four-word challenge: ‘Release the MRI results.’…  Walz’s response referenced the recent presidential medical mystery of Trump’s MRI scan in October that neither he nor the White House have fully explained.” 

Trump’s MRI Not About His Brain 

Daily Mail wrote on December 1:

“The White House has provided details of Donald Trump’s MRI scan carried out last month amid mounting speculation about the president’s health… after it was revealed in July that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency… Trump’s cognitive health has also been called into question… 

“However, Trump’s scans were focused on the president’s heart and abdomen [not his brain], the White House confirmed on Monday…. Trump’s scan revealed no abnormalities and confirmed that he is in ‘excellent health.’ MRI scans are a standard preventative procedure for men his age, the doctor said.”

 As we pointed out in last week’s Current Events, there is great concern, shared by some of Trump’s relatives, that he might be suffering from increasing dementia. 

Attack on Two National Guard Members 

MSN wrote on November 28:

“The man suspected of shooting two National Guard members near the White House this week — one of them fatally — is an Afghan national who came to the United States in September 2021 because of his work with the U.S. government, including the CIA…. [He] was among tens of thousands of Afghan nationals who came to the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era program, following the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal…  [He] was granted asylum this April [under the Trump administration]… 

“CIA Director John Ratcliffe said [the suspect] had been a member of a partner force in Kandahar, a province in southern Afghanistan that saw significant fighting during the war. [He] was part of one of the CIA’s ‘Zero Units’ that were involved in combat missions to seize or kill suspected terrorists… The Zero Units, also known as National Strike Units, were involved in dangerous and often deadly night raids and other missions to kill or capture members of the Taliban, al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and other terrorist groups. The CIA and U.S. military provided intelligence and logistical support to the squads. 

“The CIA has never publicly acknowledged its work with the Zero Units, which have been shadowed by allegations of human rights violations, including a 2019 Human Rights Watch report that found they had conducted summary executions and other abuses. [The suspect] and other Afghan paramilitary members would have undergone extensive vetting before joining the Zero Units and were supposed to be monitored closely once in service, people familiar with the matter said.

“U.S. officials have said the Zero Units were effective fighters and that they played a critical role in assisting with the chaotic American evacuation from Afghanistan in late August 2021, probably saving U.S. lives.” 

CIA’s Zero Units 

The New York Times added on November 28: 

“Zero Units, which were formally part of the Afghan intelligence service but operated outside the usual chain of command, were largely recruited, trained, equipped and overseen by the C.I.A., according to Human Rights Watch. These units specialized in night raids and clandestine missions; Taliban officials and human rights groups described them as ‘death squads.’

“Human Rights Watch said it had documented several instances in which the units were responsible for ‘extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances, indiscriminate airstrikes, attacks on medical facilities, and other violations of international humanitarian law.’

“A childhood friend, who asked to be identified only as Muhammad because he feared Taliban reprisals, said that [the suspect] had suffered from mental health issues and was disturbed by the casualties his unit had caused.”

Trump said about the suspect that he had turned “nuts.” And Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that authorities believe the suspect might have been radicalized after he arrived in the United States.

npr wrote on November 27:

“Those people came on two-year grants of parole, then later had to apply for other ways to stay in the country permanently, like asylum, and go through rigorous screening. 

“Roughly 200,000 Afghan immigrants and refugees came to the U.S. after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021. Some of them have since received green cards or even U.S. citizenship, but many have more tenuous legal status, such as humanitarian parole.” 

The Blame Game Continues 

New York Post wrote on November 27: 

“An enraged Attorney General Pam Bondi blasted ‘progressive left idiots’ for fueling hatred towards National Guard troops — as she vowed to probe whether they encouraged the Thanksgiving eve shooting ambush. 

“Bondi tore into the scores of liberal lawmakers and media commentators who have criticized President Trump’s decision to deploy federal troops to Washington, DC, suggesting the ‘disgusting’ and ‘despicable’ rhetoric is to blame for any ensuing violence.” 

In the case of the suspect, such “rhetoric” was hardly the motive, from everything we know so far. Bondi seems to try to gloss over her unpopularity, by “seizing the moment.” 

Trump’s Announcement of Further Immigration Restrictions 

ABC News wrote on November 28: 

“President Donald Trump said he will ‘permanently pause migration’ from some countries following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., earlier this week… Trump did not specify which countries the pause would affect, saying it would apply to ‘Third World Countries.’… 

‘He said the U.S. would ‘terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions… and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.’” 

If this is meant to be taken seriously, these would be extremely dangerous and troublesome announcements by an irate and out-of-touch President. If attempted to be carried out, a flood of lawsuits would be the consequence, and the world would turn even more hostile toward America. Pretty soon, Trump would have been successful in making America void and empty… no more foreign-born non-citizens; no more birthright citizenship; denaturalization of everyone who dares to disagree with Trump’s view of compatibility with Western Civilization; and so on. 

Immigration Applications on Hold 

The New York Post wrote on December 3: 

“The Trump administration formally halted immigration applications from 19 countries deemed to be a high risk for producing terrorists and other national security threats — hours after a source told The Post that list could grow to 30 nations or more…   

 “US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)… also announced a hold on ‘all pending asylum applications, regardless of the alien’s country of nationality.’”

Killings of Alleged “Drug Smugglers” to Be Investigated 

The Washington Post wrote on November 29: 

“The head of the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee has pledged ‘vigorous oversight’ after a Washington Post report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave spoken order to kill crew members during the first U.S. strike against suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean earlier this year. 

“A live drone feed showed two survivors from the original crew of 11 clinging to the wreckage of their boat following the initial missile attack on Sept. 2, The Post reported on Friday afternoon. The Special Operations commander overseeing the operation then ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s directive, according to two people with direct knowledge of the operation, killing both survivors. Those people, along with five others in the original report, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity. 

“Late Friday, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), the committee’s ranking Democrat, issued a statement saying that the committee ‘is aware of recent news reports — and the Department of Defense’s initial response — regarding alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels.’ The committee, they said, ‘has directed inquiries to the Department, and we will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances.’ 

“Following the publication of The Post’s report, Hegseth wrote on X that ‘these highly effective strikes are designed to be “lethal, kinetic strikes,’” adding: ‘Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization.’ ‘Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict — and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command,’ he said… 

“In some closed-door briefings to lawmakers, the Pentagon has declined to bring lawyers who could help explain the legal rationale behind the strikes. There has been extensive frustration among some members of Congress — including some Republicans — at the lack of detail provided to Capitol Hill, ranging from the intelligence to support the strikes to the identities of the people killed. 

“Last month, Wicker and Reed made public two letters they previously sent to the Pentagon, requesting the orders, recordings and legal rationale related to the strikes. The Defense Department, they wrote in the rare public warning, had surpassed the time required by law to provide some of the materials. That information would have included Hegseth’s order to kill everyone in the first strike and the video of the attack… some current and former U.S. officials and law-of-war experts have said that the Pentagon’s lethal campaign — which has killed more than 80 people to date — is unlawful and may expose those most directly involved to future prosecution… 

“The Joint Special Operations Command had said in briefing materials provided to the White House that the purpose of the ‘double-tap’ strike was to sink the boat to avoid any navigation hazard to other vessels, according to one person who saw the report. Lawmakers received a similar explanation in two closed-door briefings, according to two congressional aides. ‘The idea that wreckage from one small boat in a vast ocean is a hazard to marine traffic is patently absurd, and killing survivors is blatantly illegal,’ Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts) wrote… ‘Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.’” 

Some even question whether these attacks on boats take place, calling it “fake news.” How ignorant can one be! 

Second Strike in “Self-Defense”?

The Independent wrote on December 1:

“The White House has confirmed that the admiral overseeing U.S. military operations against alleged drug-carrying boats had issued the order for a second strike that killed two survivors, an attack that has intensified legal scrutiny into the Trump administration’s lethal campaign… 

“Asked to clarify whether [Defense Secretary Pete] Hegseth had ordered the second strike on the boat, [White House press secretary Karoline] Leavitt told reporters that [Admiral Frank] Bradley — not Hegseth — gave the order and stressed that the veteran naval officer was ‘well within his authority and the law’ when he did. ‘He directed the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat from narco terrorists was eliminated,’ she said… The strike on September 2, the first among more than a dozen attacks that have killed more than 80 people in recent months, ‘was conducted in self-defense to protect Americans’ and ‘vital United States interests,’ she said… When two survivors emerged from the wreckage, Bradley issued an order to comply with Hegseth’s alleged instructions to ‘kill everybody’… 

“According to the Pentagon’s own Law of War Manual, people who are ‘wounded, sick, or shipwrecked’ on the high seas are supposed to be ‘respected and protected in all circumstances’ by U.S. forces, even during hostilities. The Defense Department’s manual specifically states that ‘making them the object of attack is strictly prohibited.’” 

Acting in self-defense? This is the most ridiculous “justification” anyone could come up with. 

“Hegseth Throws Admiral Under the Bus” 

Mediaite wrote on December 1: 

“Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made clear that he believes Admiral Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley is the man responsible for a U.S. attack on the survivors of a boat bombing in the Caribbean. 

“On Sept. 2, the U.S. bombed an alleged drug boat off the coast of Trinidad. According to The Washington Post, Hegseth ordered everyone aboard killed, according to sources familiar with the situation. After the first strike, which was conducted by the Navy, two survivors remained, clinging to the wreckage. Heeding Hegseth’s directive, the Post said Bradly deemed the survivors valid targets and ordered that Hegseth’s directive be carried out. The Navy conducted a second strike and killed the survivors… 

“On Monday night, Hegseth tweeted ‘support’ of Bradley while also making sure to say that the admiral was responsible for ‘combat decisions’… Fox News Chief Political Analyst Brit Hume… wrote: ‘How to point the finger at someone while pretending to support him.’… Hume said on Fox News that the story could be ‘a big problem’ for the Trump administration. 

“Over on CNN, Ryan Goodman, former general counsel for the Department of Defense, stated that if Hegseth ordered everyone on the boat killed, the secretary is ultimately responsible for the second strike, regardless of Bradley’s involvement…” 

He certainly would be. 

It was also pointed out that during his time in office, President Barack Obama significantly expanded the use of drone strikes for targeted killings against suspected terrorists, particularly in Pakistan, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa. 

How can something like this be possibly justified? 

Prosecuting Hegseth? 

Mediaite wrote on December 2: 

“Newsmax’s senior judicial analyst, Judge Andrew Napolitano, argued on Tuesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be prosecuted for a war crime over his order to kill everyone aboard an alleged drug smuggling boat in early September… 

“‘Well, I wish the White House would reveal to us the laws on which the president is relying. He says he has an opinion from the Justice Department, but neither the Justice Department nor the White House will offer it for public scrutiny… The killing is out of hand. And this last one, in which Pete Hegseth first denied that he gave the order, and then the White House said he did give the order, and then the White House said it was in self-defense. Self-defense! You got two people in the ocean clinging to a burning boat to stay alive, and they’re gonna be killed for self-defense? That doesn’t make any sense. 

“‘… the law of armed conflict says survivors have to be rescued. They can’t be killed. That’s very clear. It’s in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and it’s in federal law…  narco terrorist is not a legal term. It’s a political term and using that political term does not justify [killing them]… only if they’re engaged in violence can the military kill them…’ 

“When asked whether they act violently ‘if they’re coming here with drugs that could kill Americans,’ Napolitano replied, ‘Well, they’re fifteen hundred miles from the United States on a speed boat with a fifty-mile distance. It’s inconceivable it could reach the United States.’” 

ABC News added on December 3: 

“The family of a Colombian fisherman who died in a U.S. military boat strike in September has filed a formal complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights alleging the U.S. government illegally killed him… While the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights can investigate the complaint and issue findings, any ruling it makes would not be legally binding on the U.S…. 

“The filing comes after [far-left] Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the U.S. government of committing murder… ‘Fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to the drug trade and his daily activity was fishing… The Colombian boat was adrift and displaying the distress signal due to having an outboard motor…’” 

No Evidence 

Breitbart wrote on December 2: 

“During an interview aired on Tuesday’s broadcast of Bloomberg’s ‘Balance of Power,’ Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) stated that there isn’t any evidence of fentanyl coming from Venezuela… ‘All these people [are] going off saying, oh, fentanyl’s killing people, I know people who died of fentanyl. I have a great deal of sympathy. I know a family that lost two sons to fentanyl. I have sympathy for that. There’s no evidence there’s any fentanyl on this boat. There’s no evidence that any fentanyl comes from Venezuela, zero.’ 

“He continued, ‘There is fentanyl coming up [from] Mexico, but since we’re blowing these boats up, maybe we’re taking our eye off the border in Mexico. So, the whole thing is a pretense and a prelude to war in Venezuela, and I hope it doesn’t happen.’” 

He also said this in regard to pardoning former President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández: 

“‘if they label you a narcoterrorist, they can kill you without trial, but if they say you’re not a narcoterrorist, you can be given a pardon, even though you have been convicted, even though he’s gloated over all the people he’s loaded with drugs, including some who have probably and inevitably have died in our country… you get into the lunacy of, well, Orlando Hernández is not a narcoterrorist, but these guys, who we don’t know their name, and we’ve presented no proof, they’re narcoterrorists.’” 

Pardoning Drug Smuggler, While Attacking “Drug Smugglers” 

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on December 1: 

“Trump’s South America policy is getting more ridiculous by the day. Yesterday he announced a pardon for the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, who is serving a 45-year sentence for partnering with drug traffickers who had allegedly shipped 400 tons of cocaine to the United States… 

“While pardoning a convicted drug smuggler on one day Trump uses the next one to threatening Venezuela for alleged drug smuggling for which there is no evidence… All Trump assertions about Venezuela, its alleged ‘terrorist gangs’ and drug smuggling are completely bogus. This is not at all about drugs but about stealing the huge oil reserve Venezuela has: ‘[Oil] is at the heart of the matter,’ Colombian President Gustavo Petro told CNN in an interview published Wednesday… ‘He’s not thinking about the democratization of Venezuela, let alone the narco-trafficking,’ added the South American president, who last month was sanctioned by the Trump administration… 

“Meanwhile the U.S. military continues to strike random fisherman [sic] near Venezuela… with drones and missiles… Some current and former U.S. officials and law-of-war experts have said that the Pentagon’s lethal campaign — which has killed more than 80 people to date — is unlawful and may expose those most directly involved to future prosecution. Hegseth had overruled the most senior military lawyer of the U.S. Southern Command who had called the strikes illegal… 

“Eleven people in a boat is by the way a sure sign that these were not drug smuggler [sic]… The boat in question, a go-fast vessel with four motors, is common in the region and would typically be manned by a small crew — perhaps one mechanic, a driver or two, and another person focused on security… More people on board means less room for drugs to sell…’” 

US Attack on Venezuela Imminent? 

The Telegraph wrote on November 29: 

“Donald Trump has told all airlines to consider the skies above and surrounding Venezuela closed, as the threat of US air strikes intensifies. The US president declared Venezuelan airspace ‘closed in its entirety’ in an early-morning post on social media, two days after suggesting he would launch military strikes on the country [“very soon”] to stop drug traffickers. 

“The US does not have the authority to close another country’s airspace, but the threat is likely to panic airlines, cause travel uncertainty in Venezuela, and worry Nicolas Maduro, its leader, whom the Trump administration has labelled a ‘narco-terrorist’…. 

“Despite the president’s declaration, US authorities have not banned American aircraft from entering Venezuelan airspace and flights were still going ahead as of Saturday morning… Since September, the Trump administration has been massing the most significant US military force in the southern Caribbean region for generations, while conducting deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters…”

China To Invade Taiwan? 

The Daily Mail published on November 29 an article by Ian Williams, author of “The Rise And Fall Of The Chinese Economy”: 

“If China attacked its neighbour, [Taiwan] the threat to the global economy and to the bruised Western alliance would make Russia’s long war in Ukraine look like a picnic. And although it is half a world away, the UK could be drawn more directly to a conflict in Taiwan than to the muddy fields of the Donbas. 

“Taiwan is a vital cog in the global high-tech economy. It produces more than 90 per cent of the world’s most advanced semi-conductors. One Taiwanese company, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, also known as Foxconn, is the world’s biggest electronics manufacturer, including of most Apple products. Bloomberg Economics has estimated that a war over the island would cost the global economy around $10trillion (£7.56trillion) – about 10 per cent of the world’s GDP.

“For years, America has been supporting Taiwan’s defences and bolstering regional alliances to deter Chinese aggression. Now, not only has Donald Trump ushered in a new era of unpredictability, but his counterpart Xi Jinping is growing increasingly impatient, stepping up his military intimidation of the democratic, self-ruled island, which China claims as its own.

“Xi sees taking Taiwan as a key part of his mission to restore national greatness, an eerily similar mission to that of his ‘good friend’ Vladimir Putin, which drives the Russian dictator’s aggression on Ukraine. Xi is closely watching the West’s faltering resolve in Ukraine. If Putin is rewarded with territory for his aggression, that will factor into Beijing’s calculations.

“This is why a phone call between Xi and Trump this week attracted so much attention and raised questions about America’s commitment both to the defence of Taiwan and to its regional alliances. The Americans say the call came from Xi, while Beijing claims Trump initiated it. The US President says ‘many topics’ were discussed, while China insists the focus was Taiwan… According to Chinese reports, Xi reminded Trump that the US and China had jointly fought ‘fascism and militarism’ during the Second World War. The message was clear: if Trump wants better relations with Beijing, he should… allow China to have its way with Taiwan.

“No doubt Xi will also have watched Trump’s attempts to wash his hands of Ukraine by foisting on Kyiv a peace plan that largely gives Moscow what it wants. Xi must be calculating that this transactional American President could similarly be persuaded to abandon Taiwan as part of a mutually beneficial trade deal…

“Xi will have noted the way Putin has been able to play Trump like a fiddle, and there should be no surprise that the Chinese leader wants to join that orchestra.” 

Levites Sing Psalms on the Temple Mount 

Israel 365 News wrote on November 28: 

“The silence that has hung over the Temple Mount for nearly two thousand years was broken Thursday morning when three Levites ascended Judaism’s holiest site and sang the daily psalm. The moment marks an unprecedented restoration of an ancient Temple service that ceased with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE… 

“The Bible assigns the Levites a specific role in Temple worship. In the book of Chronicles, King David organizes the Levitical singers: ‘David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, harps, and cymbals’ (1 Chronicles 25:1). This wasn’t merely ceremonial music. The Sages teach that Levitical song was an essential component of the Temple service itself, so integral that sacrifices offered without it were considered incomplete…

“The Levites performed various functions in the Temple including guarding and serving all the musical needs.  

“Jewish communities are scrupulous about perpetuating the status of the Levites, which is passed from father to son. Only Jewish men whose fathers were Levites are considered eligible. Comprising about 4% of the total Jewish population, they are recognized for conspicuous honors in religious services and their status as Levites is inscribed on their gravestones…” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Trump’s New “Peace Plan” for Ukraine 

ABC News wrote on November 21: 

“The [US] military delegation arrived Wednesday into a capital in turmoil [Kyiv], as a corruption scandal estimated by investigators to involve some $100 million forced the dismissal of two cabinet ministers… As the scandal swirled, the White House has presented Ukraine with a new 28-point peace plan drawn up in coordination with Moscow that contains conditions that are widely seen in Ukraine as effectively demanding the country’s capitulation… 

“The plan includes a number of maximalist demands that the Kremlin has long demanded and that have been previously dismissed as non-starters for Kyiv, including that Ukraine cut its armed forces by more than half and cede swaths of territory not yet occupied by Russia… Ukraine would also be forbidden from possessing long-range weapons, while Moscow would retain virtually all the territory it has occupied — and receive some form of recognition of its 2014 seizure of Crimea under the latest proposed U.S. plan… 

“Zelenskyy — whom Trump previously framed as illegitimate and in March said was without ‘the cards’ needed for peace negotiations with Russia — already appeared to be on shaky ground in recent days as the corruption scandal widened, with opposition parties and even figures within his own Servant of the People party calling for a major governmental shakeup. 

“Now he will also have to juggle that scandal along with the new U.S. peace drive. In Ukraine, some observers have suggested the Trump administration has chosen the moment deliberately, hoping a vulnerable Zelenskyy can be forced into accepting unfavorable terms…. 

“Zelenskyy has not been personally implicated in what is perhaps the country’s most serious corruption scandal of the war. The president has vowed ‘a swift and just response’ to any wrongdoing.” 

Newsmax wrote on November 19: 

“While Ukraine would view the deal as a major surrender to Russia, the White House believes Ukraine would likely lose the territory anyway [parts of eastern Ukraine they don’t occupy]… The deal would call for Russia to control the Donbas region, even though Ukraine controls 14.5% of the territory there.” 

Zelenskyy Reacts 

BBC wrote on November 21:

 “Addressing the nation on Friday, Zelensky said Ukraine ‘might face a very difficult choice: either losing dignity, or risk losing a key partner’, [USA] adding that ‘today is one of the most difficult moments in our history’… 

“Ukraine is critically dependent on deliveries of US-made advanced weaponry, including air defence systems to repel deadly Russian air assaults, as well as intelligence provided by Washington…. 

“In his 10-minute address in front of the presidential office in Kyiv, Zelensky warned that Ukraine would face ‘a lot of pressure… to weaken us, to divide us’, adding that ‘the enemy is not sleeping’… 

“Trump warned that Ukraine would lose more territory to Russia ‘in a short amount of time’.” 

Witkoff to See a Psychiatrist? 

Welt Online wrote on November 21: 

“European diplomats and government officials are reacting angrily to new details of the US peace plan intended to end the war in Ukraine… One EU government representative resorted to crude language to express his dismay. A leading EU politician said: ‘Witkoff needs to see a psychiatrist.’… 

“The Europeans assured Zelenskyy that they remain committed to a ‘just’ peace, according to a statement released after the talks. ‘They agreed that any agreement affecting European states, the European Union, or NATO requires the approval of European partners or a consensus among the allies,’ the statement said.” 

Farage Objects 

Express wrote on November 22: 

“Reform UK leader Mr Farage has now taken to X to make his feelings clear on the Ukraine peace plan from Mr Trump…  He wrote: ‘Ukraine being asked to halve the size of its Army is unacceptable…’ 

“Mr Farage’s remarks come as a rare public rebuke of the US President. They represent a significant strengthening of his support for Ukraine, against attempts by the Labour Party to cast him as sympathetic to Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin.” 

Trump Causes Earthquake 

t-online wrote on November 22: 

“US President Donald Trump has effectively derailed the G20 summit [in South Africa] – despite the US’s non-participation… Trump’s Ukraine plan has sent shockwaves through the G20. Europeans met in Johannesburg on Saturday morning to coordinate a common approach to the US plan. They consider the development alarming. Europe was not involved in the negotiations with Russia, and Trump acted behind their backs. 

“European diplomats agree: Neither Ukraine nor the Europeans can actually approve Trump’s plan. They see it as a declaration of surrender that fulfills all of Russia’s war aims. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin could use it to launch another attack in a few years to seize the rest of a then-disarmed Ukraine. In a statement issued early Saturday afternoon, several European states, along with Canada and Japan, rejected the plan in its current form… 

“Despite the clear rejection of Trump’s plan by all of Ukraine’s supporters, there is still considerable agitation in South Africa. This is because the central goal of both Ukraine and the Europeans is apparently to avoid completely alienating Trump. They are suppressing their anger at the US president, hoping that he will ultimately remain involved in the war in Ukraine in some way. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, however, will likely reject any alternative plan proposed by the Europeans. Why should Moscow accept something that, in all likelihood, is worse for Putin than the US offer? 

“To prevent the worst, the Europeans are, as usual, doing what a British television reporter in Johannesburg described on Saturday as ‘Trump-pleasing.’ This involves examining Trump’s plans very seriously, even though it is clear that the consequences for the West, excluding the US, would be catastrophic…” 

“That’s why Chancellor Friedrich Merz was surprisingly clear in a press statement during the G20 summit… If Trump doesn’t adjust his plan, he’ll be on his own from Thursday onward – or on Putin’s side. Whether the Europeans are prepared for the consequences of a break with the Americans, Merz left open on Saturday. 

“One thing is certain: the strategy of keeping the US president at the table at all costs is reaching its limits. Merz and the Europeans are increasingly frustrated. Trump wants peace at any price – he doesn’t care how sustainable and beneficial this peace is for Europe… 

“But the headaches of many Western states extend far beyond the Ukraine issue. Early on at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, it was clear: Trump is one of the greatest dangers of our time – also because political assurances from Washington can hardly be relied upon anymore…”
The inevitable separation between Europe and the USA is clearly on the horizon. 

“A Disaster for Europe”

Bild Online published the following commentary by Roman Elchinger on November 21: 

“The US peace plan for Ukraine reads as if it were conceived by Putin himself. If it is truly meant seriously, it would amount to a declaration of surrender for Kyiv and be a disaster for Europe… Such a ‘peace’ would be practically an invitation to the next war for Putin. There are plenty of parallels in history – from the ‘Munich Agreement,’ which was intended to appease Hitler, to Putin’s virtually inconsequential invasion of Crimea. 

“But the truth is also this: We can’t complain about the EU being ignored. Those who are so militarily weak that their security depends on Trump’s USA simply don’t have a seat at the table when the new world order is being discussed. The lesson after almost four years of war in Ukraine is therefore not new, but unfortunately all the more urgent: Europe must become a military power – preferably with its own Army.” 

A European NATO Because of America’s Unreliability? 

Compact wrote on November 23: 

“A prominent Christian Democrat [CSU politician Manfred Weber, chairman of the influential EPP group in the European Parliament] is calling for the EU to be transformed into a military alliance because the US… can no longer be relied upon… 

“Weber said: ‘[We] must… expand the EU into a European NATO. We can no longer rely on the US without reservation.'”

Tagesschau wrote on November 23: 

“The Europeans are now trying, with difficulty, to get back into the game… They have to offer something, for example, regarding security guarantees for Ukraine. It’s about reliability – and that’s difficult to achieve in dealings with Trump.”

Trump Backpedals on Peace Plan 

The Wall Street Journal wrote on November 22: 

“President Trump said Saturday he could be open to changes in the administration’s 28-point plan for ending the war in Ukraine after Kyiv, European governments and even some Republican lawmakers denounced it as far too heavily weighted in Moscow’s favor… He didn’t specify what changes were possible in the plan.” 

He also apparently went back on his earlier insistence that the plan must be accepted by Thanksgiving. But he also repeated his earlier accusation that the war started because of Biden’s and Zelensky’s weak leadership.

Trump Accuses Zelensky and Europe 

CNN wrote on November 23: 

“President Donald Trump slammed Ukraine’s leaders today (Sunday) for what he described as a lack of gratitude… ‘UKRAINE ‘LEADERSHIP’ HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA,’ Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. 

“The comment harkens back to Vice President JD Vance’s remarks in the Oval Office earlier this year, when he berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a tense meeting and asked, ‘Have you said thank you once?’” 

These accusations are clearly false. 

Europe’s “Alternative” 

The Telegraph wrote on November 23: 

“A rival European plan to end the war in Ukraine… differs sharply from the contentious 28-point proposal put forward by the Trump administration… Among the key differences in the European plan is a requirement for ‘no restriction’ to be placed on the size of the Ukrainian armed forces. 

“Unlike the Trump plan, the European plan does not ban Ukraine from joining Nato, with the final decision subject to ‘consensus within the alliance’. This has long been a point of contention and is likely to anger Russia, which blames Nato for the outbreak of war and fears the alliance’s expansion on its borders. 

“The European plan also states that Kyiv would ‘not be forced to be neutral’ and would be free to invite ‘friendly forces’ to operate on its soil should it so wish… 

“The European proposals call for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, effectively freezing the current front lines. The ceasefire would be monitored by the US and Europe. Ukraine would receive ‘robust, legally-binding security guarantees, including from the US, to prevent future aggression’ by Russia, Europe’s plan adds… 

“Under the European plan, Ukraine would be ‘fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine’.” 

Russia will never agree to this European plan. Nor to a revised Trump plan, as discussed below. 

New Plan to Be Rejected by Moscow 

The New York Post wrote on November 25: 

“Russia is set to reject the new 19-point cease-fire deal drafted by the US and Ukraine but may use disinformation tactics to keep President Trump engaged in continued talks… The White House has said it is working to secure a deal after Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff developed a previous controversial 28-point version of the plan that heavily favored Moscow.  That plan included input from Kyiv, the Trump administration has insisted. [That allegation is ridiculous.] 

“The proposal, roundly criticized by both sides of the US political aisle and international community because it was so one-sided, was then narrowed down to a 19-point plan acceptable to Ukraine after talks between top Washington and Kyiv officials happened Sunday… Russia won’t agree to the 19-point version, as they already weren’t completely satisfied with the broader previous plan… The new 19-point deal vastly differs from the original, eliminating the cap on Ukraine’s active forces and leaving the door open for the country to join NATO.” 

The Daily Mail added on November 25 that Trump is in a “desperate scramble to salvage [the] Ukraine peace deal,” continuing: 

“Trump has dispatched his trusted special envoy to Moscow for crunch talks with Vladimir Putin amid fears his Ukraine peace plan is unraveling… 

“The [new] deal no longer includes amnesty guarantees for atrocities committed during the war. Kyiv has agreed to cap its army at 800,000 men. That initial plan had permanently ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine, limited its army to 600,000, proposed handing the rest of Donbas to Russia – albeit as a demilitarized zone – and mandated that Kyiv hold elections within 100 days. All those clauses are reported to have since been amended or shelved for now.” 

Is the Ukraine War Useful for Germany? 

Nius wrote on November 24: 

“‘What good is the most elaborate debt brake when the Russians are at the door?’ [CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens] Spahn asked in an interview with the FAZ… , adding: ‘To put it bluntly, we Europeans only have two options: We can learn to defend ourselves or we can all learn Russian.’… 

“The Ukraine war has become incredibly useful for the CDU/CSU. It serves as a catch-all justification for everything – from debt to energy to pensions. It has already been used by the second federal government in a row to sacrifice principles. ‘Unfortunately, we now have to break everything because we promised you that you wouldn’t be stabbed anymore,’ is the simplified message. A policy that no longer protects, but only negotiates – at the expense of those who elect it.” 

Bild Online wrote: “Merz’ Christmas Tree is already burning.” 

Spying on American Citizens 

The Associated Press wrote on November 20: 

“The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious… 

“The predictive intelligence program has resulted in people being stopped, searched and in some cases arrested. A network of cameras scans and records vehicle license plate information, and an algorithm flags vehicles deemed suspicious based on where they came from, where they were going and which route they took. Federal agents in turn may then flag local law enforcement. 

“Suddenly, drivers find themselves pulled over — often for reasons cited such as speeding, failure to signal, the wrong window tint or even a dangling air freshener blocking the view. They are then aggressively questioned and searched, with no inkling that the roads they drove put them on law enforcement’s radar… 

“Today, predictive surveillance is embedded into America’s roadways. Mass surveillance techniques are also used in a range of other countries, from authoritarian governments such as China to, increasingly, democracies in the U.K. and Europe in the name of national security and public safety.” 

Big Brother keeps watching and acting… 

“Trump’s Lawyers Without Integrity” 

The Ron Paul Institute published on November 20 an article by Jacob George Hornberger, an American attorney, author, and politician who was a Libertarian candidate for president in 2000 and 2020: 

“Many years ago, when I was practicing law in Texas, I learned that there were, generally speaking, two types of lawyers when it came to being asked for a legal opinion by a client who wished to pursue a certain course of action. 

“The first type of lawyer would carefully research the issue and give his honest, independent-minded opinion as to the legality of the proposed action, even if it wasn’t what the client wanted to hear. That type of lawyer had integrity and would not compromise his legal judgment, even if it angered — and risked the loss of — his client. 

“The second type of lawyer would instead come up with whatever legal reasoning was necessary to please the client, stretching case law and legal analysis in such a way as to justify what the client wanted to do. This type of lawyer had no integrity. His task, as he saw it, was to provide legal cover for his client in case things went the wrong way. 

“When it comes to President Trump’s and the Pentagon’s extra-judicial drug-war killings in the Caribbean, there is little or no doubt that the Office of Legal Counsel in the U.S. Department of Justice falls into the second category. Asked to provide a legal opinion as to the legality of such killings, the office has come up with a memorandum containing inane legal justifications, in an obvious effort to provide legal cover for the people involved in the extrajudicial killings. In fact, the still-secret memo expressly assures U.S. military personnel that they will not face future criminal prosecution for their involvement in the killings. 

“The memo states that the high number of deaths from drug use among American drug consumers constitutes an ‘armed attack’ against the United States… Are Latin American drug dealers entering the United States, kidnapping regular American citizens, physically holding them down, and then injecting drugs into their noses, mouths, or other parts of their bodies?… All of the evidence is that American consumers of drugs are voluntarily buying and ingesting mind-altering substances knowing full well that this isn’t a risk-free endeavor. 

“Another part of the memo claims that the boats that are suspected of carrying drugs are generating revenue for groups that are supposedly in armed conflict with the United States… I don’t see any Latin American cartels landing on American shores and killing American citizens. Indeed, I haven’t seen those boats firing at American Naval vessels or at American B-52s. All I’ve seen is massacres of defenseless private individuals in the face of overwhelming U.S. military power. 

“One of the other justifications on which Trump and the Pentagon are relying is their claim that these boat people are ‘terrorists.’ Apparently that governmental accusation means that they are subject to being exterminated without arrest, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and sentence — that is, without any due process of law for what amounts to an accusation of a criminal-law violation, whether it is drug-war-related or terrorist-related…

“Make no mistake about it: These drug-war killings are the equivalent of legalized murder. They are morally illegitimate, legally illegitimate, and constitutionally illegitimate, no matter the inane legal opinion issued by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel in an obvious effort to provide cover for the people involved in these killings.” 

Illegal Actions by the Government 

The Ron Paul Institute published on November 20 the following article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano: 

“America today would terrify the Founding Fathers. Armed troops roam the streets of major cities, masked government agents arrest people without probable cause and disrupt the public speech that the president hates and fears, and the president kills foreigners on the high seas whom he says might commit crimes should their small speedboats miraculously make it 1,500 miles to the United States… 

“The killings at sea will soon reach a federal court as the families of innocent murdered fishermen, and some survivors of botched killings, have signaled to the media their intention to bring actions against the government… Secondly, in September, Trump directed federal agents to disrupt speech that is anti-Christian, anti-capitalism or un-American, and to use their own judgment as to which speech to disrupt… 

“Thirdly, last spring the Department of Homeland Security began arresting Americans and foreigners on suspicion of unlawful presence in the United States. They do this without arrest warrants based on probable cause of crime, and they wear masks so as to startle victims and retard identification in subsequent court proceedings. 

“… there’s a new phenomenon in law called ‘The Kavanaugh Stop.’ This is derived from a bizarre concurring Supreme Court opinion recently written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh in which he argued that race, ethnicity and presence at a car wash are permissible characteristics upon which the government may stop and demand to see papers. And if the feds stop you, he opined, it’s no big deal. Just show them your papers; prove your citizenship. In Justice Kavanaugh’s strange new world, East Germany has been reborn here. That’s just what the Founders feared most.” 

Despicable ICE Conduct 

NBC San Diego wrote on November 21: 

“Two people say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested their spouses Thursday morning during their green card interviews at San Diego’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, detailing the incidents they say shocked and stunned them. 

“One was a German man and the other a woman from the U.K., taken into custody while holding her nearly 6-month-old son. 

“The couples don’t know each other but said both people arrested came through legal pathways and have no criminal records. They said their spouses did overstay their visas but were advised by their attorneys that it is traditionally forgiven while in the green card process. [This is absolutely correct; this has always been the case.] These kinds of arrests began Nov. 12, multiple immigration attorneys say, many adding they had never seen anything like this before.   

“Both couples said they had just completed their interviews, the final step in the months-long green card process, when ICE agents walked into the room. ‘Three men with masks and bulletproof vests and guns came in and told us they were going to arrest Tom,’ said Audrey Hestmark. She said her husband Tom Bilger came into the U.S. from Germany on a visa and that they applied for his green card after they got married last year… 

“‘We see the ICE agents come around, and they say that they’re arresting Katie,’ said Stephen Paul. He said his wife originally planned to return to the U.K. last fall to wait there for her entry, but they decided to apply for her green card from here in the U.S. when she learned she was pregnant. He said they knew it would be a high-risk pregnancy and wanted to stay in the U.S. for medical care and family support, and that his attorney advised them this was permissible under immigration law because they were married… [This was absolutely correct legal advice.] 

“‘We were completely shocked, and I feel like we were tricked,’ Hestmark said. ‘We went through every possible legal and appropriate channel. We followed the advice of our lawyer. We were told that our case was straight forward’ [which it was]. ‘She said that she was scared. She was anxious, missed her baby. She just wants to come home,’ Paul said. ‘She said the agents themselves were in the detention down in the basement of the federal building, saying, “What are we doing here? These aren’t the sort of people we’re supposed to be arresting.”’ 

“‘… We were told that it would only be happening to criminals,’ [Hestmark] continued. ‘We’re just normal people, and it’s happening to us.’” 

These despicable episodes—by no means isolated incidents—describe the hallmark of a totalitarian country. And there are no signs that it will get better… only worse. 

Terrifying Footage of ICE Misconduct 

The Mirror wrote on November 18: 

“During a recent edition of World News Tonight, host David Muir, 52, aired unsettling footage of ICE raids in Charlotte, North Carolina… Muir turned the report over to his correspondent Faith Abubey, who was on the ground in Charlotte. She described the scene as one of ‘growing fear and outrage,’ noting that ICE has already detained at least 130 people in the city. Among the footage was a dramatic moment including a woman screaming at a border patrol agent, ‘I’m a U.S. citizen!’ 

“… The broadcast struck a nerve with viewers. On Instagram, one person posted, ‘Oh God help us all.’ Another wrote, ‘Stop this madness.’… A Charlotte local said, ‘It’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening in my city. They aren’t going after criminals; they are stopping workers in a Chick-fil-A parking lot blowing leaves and coming into yards…approaching people simply putting up Christmas lights!!!!’

“A… passionate viewer wrote, ‘…The videos being posted are HORRIFIC. Please don’t tell me ICE is removing violent criminals when they are raiding schools, churches, and the neighborhood grocery store.’… Community organizations report that immigrant-owned businesses shut down over the weekend, residents stayed home, and detentions reportedly happened even near churches and schools.” 

“This crackdown is not isolated to Charlotte. Cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and others have also seen similar operations under Trump’s enforcement agenda…” 

And Now Attack on DACA 

The New York Post wrote on November 26: 

“The mother of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s nephew has been detained by federal immigration officials in Massachusetts [facing deportation to Brazil]… Bruna Caroline Ferreira… shares an 11-year-old son with Leavitt’s older brother, Michael… Ferreira… came to the United States with her family as a child… 

“Ferreira’s lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, contested her arrest, saying she ‘maintained her legal status’ under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. ‘She’s in the process of actually getting her green card and she was abruptly arrested and taken from her young child right before Thanksgiving,’ Pomerleau said… ‘Bruna has no criminal record whatsoever,’ he said… ‘There’s no charges out there. She’s not a criminal illegal alien.’.. 

“A relative of Ferreira [Ferreira’s sister] set up a GoFundMe for her saying she was brought to the US as a child in 1998 and followed all protocols. ‘Since then, she has done everything in her power to build a stable, honest life here. She has maintained her legal status through DACA, followed every requirement, and has always strived to do the right thing,’ the fundraiser said.” 

The Daily Beast added: 

“A DHS spokesperson told the Daily Beast that Ferreira was ‘a criminal illegal alien from Brazil’ … ‘She has a previous arrest for battery. She entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa that required her to depart the U.S. by June 6, 1999,’ the spokesperson said. ‘Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, all individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation.’… 

“WBUR could not find details of battery charges against Bruna Ferreira in Massachusetts’ online court records.” 

There may be more going on behind the scenes. Karoline Leavitt’s brother Michael and his finance Ferreira split, and Michael subsequently married someone else. Karoline Leavitt and Ferreira seem to have no contact. The allegation that Ferrera was charged with battery remains unproven. The attack on DACA is more than troublesome. 

Trump Attacks Democrats Over “Illegal” Orders 

The New York Post wrote on November 20: 

“President Trump lashed out Thursday at six Democratic lawmakers who released a video on social media this week urging service members to defy ‘illegal orders’ by the administration. ‘It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,’ Trump thundered on Truth Social Thursday morning. ‘Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.’… 

“The 60-second video, titled ‘Don’t Give Up The Ship,’ featured Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado… 

“‘Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear,’ they said. ‘You can refuse illegal orders … you must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.’ 

“‘This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country,’ Trump added in a second Truth Social blast Thursday. ‘Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???’ ‘SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!’ a third post read. 

“All six Democrats come from military or national security backgrounds. Crow is an Army veteran who won a Bronze Star for his actions during the Iraq War. Deluzio and Kelly served in the Navy and Houlahan served in the Air Force, while Goodlander spent 11 years as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve. Slotkin is a former CIA analyst who also worked in the State Department and Pentagon during the Obama administration. 

“‘No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us,’ the sextet fired back at Trump in a joint statement. ‘What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law,’ they went on… ‘We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated.’” 

Trump’s Ongoing False Accusations 

The Independent wrote on November 23: 

“Donald Trump issued another pair of calls for Democrats who spoke out against illegal orders to the military to be jailed late Saturday evening as he battles a sinking public image and unprecedented resistance within his own party on the Hill… 

“The president was clearly irked by the refusal of congressional Republicans to join him, and used one Truth Social post to insist that America’s legal scholars were on his side – without naming any… legal scholars generally agree that the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights generally protects a wide range of speech and expression against the government… Nothing in the video message released by Democrats would fall outside of those protections, except in the opinions of Trump’s closest loyalists. 

“In fact, a number of constitutional law experts have already spoken about how the video does not call for any use of force to resist the president or his actions; merely telling officers to refuse orders they believe are illegal falls far short of that standard… More telling, however, is the fact that even Trump’s allies in Congress aren’t backing him up…” 

FBI Tries to Intimidate Lawmakers 

The Wall Street Journal wrote on November 25: 

“A group of Democratic lawmakers said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had requested interviews with them after they appeared in a video that… called on troops to disobey unlawful orders… ‘President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress,’ the lawmakers said in a joint statement. ‘We will not be bullied.’.. 

“Roger Williams University School of Law professor Peter Margulies said he thought the FBI probe was a frivolous investigation meant to suppress speech. Margulies, who teaches national-security law, said the Democrats were exercising their constitutional power to conduct oversight of the military. ‘Trump is really trying to put the force of the presidency and the Justice Department behind attempts to intimidate Congress,’ he said.  

“The Pentagon on Monday said it is probing allegations of misconduct [facing a military tribunal to be court-martialed] against Sen. Mark Kelly (D., Ariz.), [a retired Navy pilot and astronaut] for his comments in the video.” 

The Independent wrote on November 25: 

“Jacob Thomas, an Air Force veteran… said he was ‘appalled’ by the Pentagon’s announcement of the Kelly investigation. ‘This sham probe, spurred by baseless allegations from the Trump administration, is nothing more than an attempt to silence dissent and intimidate those who remind our troops of their duty to uphold the Constitution over unlawful orders,’ he said in a statement. ‘Senator Kelly’s call to refuse illegal directives is not misconduct, it’s patriotism. We must stand against this abuse of power and protect the integrity of our military institutions.’ 

“Veterans for American Ideals said ‘calling for an investigation into a well-known principle of service is dangerous, and says more about this administration than it does about Senator Kelly. Investigations and threats thereof into those continuing to stand by their principles of service are clearly an attempt to intimidate and silence veterans,’ the group said in a statement to The Independent, ‘the very people who have served honorably and want to ensure our military servicemembers continue to have the opportunity to reflect the honor and integrity that is instilled in us.’”

This is incredible! Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Fishermen—Must Illegal Orders Be Obeyed?” Please note the Editorial in this edition. 

US Troops Invade Mexico 

Daily Mail wrote on November 20: 

“American troops have pulled up on a Mexican beach in a dramatic escalation of tensions after Donald Trump threatened to bomb the country. US ‘contractors’ arrived by boat on Monday at Playa Bagdad, driving signs into the sand near where the Rio Grande empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Alarmed witnesses quickly alerted officials and heavily armed Mexican security personnel rushed to the scene on trucks mounted with machine guns in a terrifying standoff.… The Pentagon, in a deeply embarrassing statement, admitted that its troops were mistaken when they landed on the beach.  

“The Mexican personnel watched as the Americans drove six signs into the ground, which said: ‘Warning: restricted area.’ Written in English and Spanish, they claimed that the beach was the property of the US Department of Defense and had been declared restricted by ‘the commander’. They also said unauthorized access or photography was not allowed in that area and that ‘if you are found here, you may be detained and searched.’ Mexico’s foreign affairs ministry said its navy removed the signs from the sand, which it believed were on Mexican territory.” 

With this kind of stupid “mistaken” conduct, wars start. 

“The Honeymoon Is Over” 

The New York Post wrote on November 23: 

“New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani doubled down Sunday on his claim that President Trump is a ‘fascist’ and ‘despot’… ‘That’s something that I’ve said in the past. I say it today,’ Mamdani told NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ when asked whether he still views Trump as a fascist.

“The socialist pol said he’s eager to work with Trump because they agreed that the Big Apple needs to be more affordable at their surprisingly chummy meeting Friday.” 

Is Trump still saying, then, that Mamdani is a Marxist? That “chummy” relationship won’t last anyhow. 

Trump’s growing frustration is clearly manifested by his verbal and written aggressive outbursts on so many fronts, including angrily calling a female CNN journalist a “piggy.” But maybe it’s more than just frustration. Note the next article. 

Dementia in Trump’s Family? 

The Daily Beast wrote on November 17: 

“In a searing interview on The Daily Beast Podcast, the daughter of Donald Trump’s late older brother, Fred Trump Jr., laid out the clearest case she’s ever made that the president is exhibiting the same signs she once saw in his father, Fred Trump Sr., who had Alzheimer’s ‘for a very, very long time.’ … What she sees in her 79-year-old uncle, she said, is unmistakable. 

“‘There are times I look at him and I see my grandfather,’ Mary said. ‘I see that same look of confusion. I see that he does not always seem to be oriented to time and place. His short-term memory seems to be deteriorating.’ Trump’s lifelong impulse-control problems, she added, are also ‘deteriorating as well.’… Mary described watching Fred Sr.’s decline beginning in the early 1990s—small lapses that escalated into larger ones. By the time the family began spending Easter at Mar-a-Lago to keep him out of public view, she said, he was no longer recognizing people, including her.. 

“Donald Trump’s nephew Fred C. Trump III said last year that he fears a similar path for the president. ‘Like anyone else, I’ve seen his decline. But I see it in parallel with the way my grandfather’s decline was,’ Fred, 61, told People. ‘If anyone wants to believe that dementia did not run in the Trump family, it’s just not true.’” 

Dementia can be responsible for violent and aggressive behavior. 

Absolving Poland of the Holocaust? 

JTA wrote on November 21: 

“The new U.S. ambassador to Poland, Thomas Rose, delivered a speech [in Warsaw] in which he absolves Poland, and by extension, the Polish people, of any responsibility whatsoever for the Holocaust. This is a distortion that cannot be allowed to go unchallenged or unrefuted. 

“… My parents were Polish Jews who were incarcerated in the ghettos of their respective hometowns, Będzin and Sosnowiec, and then deported to Auschwitz, also in Poland, where virtually their entire families were murdered… To be sure, as Rose correctly pointed out, ‘thousands of Poles died saving Jews.’ He neglected to mention, however, that thousands of other Poles callously betrayed their Jewish compatriots and neighbors to the Germans or murdered them outright… 

“It is true that the machinery for the implementation of the Nazi ‘Final Solution of the Jewish Question’ was established by Germans – not Poles – in German-occupied Poland at places such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, and Majdanek. It is also true that more than 7,000 non-Jewish Poles… risked or gave their lives to rescue or help Jews. 

“What Rose seems to overlook, however, is that these heroic and altruistic individuals made up an extremely small minority of the overall Polish population, probably around a quarter of 1%. In addition, the bravery and sacrifice of many other Christian Poles who hid or otherwise tried to save Jews were never formally recognized… Even if we assume that the real figure [of righteous Poles] is 200,000, out of 21 million Poles, that’s only 1%. What about the other 99%?… 

“At the same time, let’s not lose sight — as Rose evidently did — of the many thousands of Poles who voluntarily and often quite viciously assisted the Germans in carrying out the annihilation of Polish Jewry by enthusiastically denouncing hidden Jews or handing them over to the Gestapo. Others blackmailed such hidden Jews, thereby making a horrific situation exponentially worse. Others still profiteered callously from the removal of Jews to ghettos and their deportation to death and concentration camps… there were in fact Poles who killed tens of thousands of Jews, perhaps as many as hundreds of thousands, during the years of the Holocaust… as many as 200,000 Jews were killed in Poland during the war by Poles, not Germans… 

“Rose also seems to ignore — or may be unaware of — the thousands of members of the  Polish police, known as the ‘Blue Police’ because of the color of their uniforms, who assisted the Germans in rounding up Jews, often rousted Jews out of their hiding places, and stole Jewish property as perks of their job…  A further highlight in the litany of things Rose chose not to mention in his speech was the horrific 1941 slaughter of hundreds of Jews by Poles in the eastern Polish town of Jedwabne. And then there was the post-war 1946 pogrom in the city of Kielce in which a Polish mob killed 46 Jews who had managed to survive the Holocaust.” 

Why is it that politicians seem to be eager to distort history? 

Trump Interferes in European Migration Policy

Bild Online wrote on November 23: 

“The US government… considers Europe’s refugee policy naive and dangerous and is concerned about the global consequences. This was already known. What’s new is that Washington is now actively trying to persuade countries like Germany, Great Britain, and Sweden to adopt stricter rules and laws. US ambassadors will be tasked with this in the future. 

“The State Department… has issued a directive to US embassies and consulates. They are to monitor the migration policies of other countries and, if necessary, intervene in them, according to the statement… In the message, the department announces concrete measures: ‘US officials will urge governments to act boldly and protect citizens from the dangers of mass migration.’… Another directive goes to the embassies: US officials are to immediately review regulations in Western countries that would favor migrants at the expense of their own citizens.” 

Europe won’t be happy about this American interference. 

Push for Euthanasia 

LifeSiteNews wrote on November 17:

“Canadian doctors are warning that Health Canada’s push for euthanasia is forcing doctors to suggest assisted suicide to patients… physicians are forced to discuss euthanasia or so-called ‘medical assistance in dying’ (MAID) with vulnerable patients according to Health Canada protocol… The document mandates that doctors and nurses must tell a patient about the assisted suicide options available to them while discussing medical care. 

“… many disabled Canadians are being pressured to end their lives with euthanasia during routine medical appointments… Canadians are choosing euthanasia because of poverty and loneliness, not as a result of allegedly terminal illness. 

“In one case, an Ontario doctor revealed that a middle-aged worker, whose ankle and back injuries had left him unable to work, felt that the government’s insufficient support was ‘leaving (him) with no choice but to pursue’ euthanasia. Other cases included an obese woman who described herself as a ‘useless body taking up space,’ which one doctor argued met the requirements for assisted suicide because obesity is ‘a medical condition which is indeed grievous and irremediable.’ 

“… Currently, wait times to receive actual health care in Canada have increased to an average of 27.7 weeks, leading some Canadians to despair and opt for euthanasia instead of waiting for assistance. At the same time, sick and elderly Canadians who have refused to end their lives have reported being called ‘selfish’ by their providers. The most recent reports show that euthanasia is the sixth highest cause of death in Canada…” 

What a disgusting world we are living in.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer: 

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.