Rutte should stop trying to put toothpaste back into the tube. Trump has shown he is prepared to ruthlessly exploit dependencies, so how can we defend ourselves *with* the US? Maybe Rutte can answer that.

There's no way we can afford to create new dependencies on the US, so the message then boils down to Europe can't defend itself full stop. Atypical doomerism from Rutte. And just unhelpful.

Bludgeon? It's not clear to me why anyone should care about Trump's 'Board'?

Iceland bid for EU accession incoming...

There's a one year notice, as arranged under art 13

For Trump himself Greenland may be the goal, but I suspect, for a number of people whispering in Trump's ear, Greenland is not the end-goal, conflict with Europe is. Therefore, as long as this faction is dominant, there is no possibility of de-escalation.

For Europe the damage of giving in to such threats would be much greater than any tarrifs. Especially because there would be no end to them. Further demands would immediately follow.

Trump will not own Greenland unless they demonstrate they are prepared to shoot and kill Danish and allied soldiers. Mere intimidation will not get them there. It is a good bet for Denmark/EU that the domestic price in the US for such an act would be too high. People in the US would not understand.

Maar voor het geval het bufferland bedreigd wordt moet daarbuiten ook weer een strook bufferland toegevoegd. Voor de staatsveiligheid natuurlijk.

What do Venezuela and Nigeria have in common? ... oil

As we have seen in the last two weeks the risk is that trump will sidestep courts and just detain critics using some imagined presidential prerogative. If a case is brought into court anyway, then he will ignore judges orders.

or bc they WERE paying attention... to micro-targeted ads from the trump campaign containing a specifically crafted message for people concerned about Israeli actions in Gaza.

Zonder geloofwaardige afschrikking worden we afgeperst en/of leeggeroofd. Dat zal Europa velen malen meer kosten.

henceforth a strategic tesla car reserve will be build, which will provide for the transportation needs of loyal 'real' americans.

They can try to distance but they don't have the simple message on this topic. Now the message given by liberals/progressives/centrist conservatives is straightforward. Independence, self-reliance, defense of democracy, standing up to villains. The ads and speeches write themselves.

of Romantiek vs Verlichting