Angela Merkel will soon be gone. The next German coalition already shares new ideas in many areas including NATO.
Three Consequences
- Germany will cease its nuclear sharing agreement with the US.
- It will ask the US to remove its nuclear weapons from German soil.
- Germany will abandon plans to purchase US military equipment such as the F/A-18 Hornet.
Justyna Gotkowska from the OSW think tank in Warsaw, laments in a Twitter Thread that Germany may soon abandon a key pillar of its NATO defence policy.
Eurointelligence picked up on the thread in its report Will Germany cease to host US nuclear weapons on its soil?
Gotkowska argues that it is highly probable that Germany will end its participation in the nuclear sharing programme within ten years. While the government itself, including the SPD leadership, is committed to it, the programme is not supported by the rank-and-file of the SPD. We would add that it is not supported by the Greens either.
Rolf Mützenich, the SPD leader in the Bundestag, has now formally come out supporting withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Germany, and quitting nuclear sharing. The SPD has also nominated an anti-nuclear MEP for the job of Bundeswehr ombudsman.
Gotkowska concludes that there is no longer a majority in the Bundestag for the procurement of the F/A-18 Hornet tactical aircraft, which forms a key component for the nuclear sharing strategy. The government has now pushed a decision on the F/A-18 into the next parliament, which is even less likely than the current one to support it. Germany's exit from the programme poses important questions for Nato: whether Germany can still be useful in other ways, and whether others member will, or should, pick up the slack.
Fake News Headline
Defense News reports NATO chief backs Germany’s vow to keep war-ready US nukes
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has waded into Germany’s fiery debate about the decades-old pledge to retain American atomic bombs in the European nation as a way of deterring Russia.
Stoltenberg argued that only sticking to the doctrine of “nuclear sharing” would ensure Berlin's continued seat at the table of strategic decision-making within the alliance.
Led by Rolf Mützenich, the chairman of the Social Democrats in parliament, a group within the governing coalition’s junior party want to exit the NATO atomic arrangement, arguing that deal, too, has outlived its usefulness.
Vow? What Vow?
Both Eurointelligence and Gotkowska lament this result. I view this as a good thing.
I suggest we remove the nukes and the troops, not just from Germany, but everywhere.
If Germany or Japan or any other country wants US weapons or troops, they should pay for them, not US taxpayers.
This material is based upon information that Sitka Pacific Capital Management considers reliable and endeavors to keep current, Sitka Pacific Capital Management does not assure that this material is accurate, current or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD: Sellers target 0.6400 ahead of RBA policy decision
AUD/USD is falling back toward 0.6400 in Asian trading on Tuesda, undermined by a risk-averse market environment-led fresh US Dollar demand. Traders turn cautious ahead of the RBA policy decision against the backdrop of rising bets for an early rate cut.
USD/JPY pulls back from 151.50 as traders readjust BoJ rate hike bets
USD/JPY pulls back from 151.50 in the Asian session on Tuesday. Expectations of a BoJ rate hike next week and Middle East geopolitical concerns continue to favor the Japanese Yen as the US Dollar stalls its recent upswing. Traders also stay wary ahead of Wednesday's US inflation test.
Gold eyes acceptance above $2,670 resistance ahead of US inflation test
Gold's price builds on the previous rebound near $2,670 in Tuesday’s Asian trades even as the US Dollar sticks to its recovery mode, awaiting US Consumer Price Index data on Wednesday for fresh directional impetus.
Why are altcoins down?
Ethereum, Solana, XRP and the general altcoin market experienced a pullback on Monday, recording over $1.5 billion in futures liquidations. The correction shows that Bitcoin dominance is still outweighing altcoins despite speculations of an alt season.
Bitcoin Price Forecast: Amazon shareholders advocate for BTC adoption amid Microsoft’s investment vote
Bitcoin edges down 2.5%, trading below $98,500 on Monday, after rallying 4% and reaching a new all-time high of $104,088 last week. As BTC reached its $100K milestone, big corporates showed interest in the largest digital asset by market capitalization.
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads
VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.