Don’t leave Europe out of this…

But please keep doing whatever you’re doing by keeping Europe out of this.

German Chancellor Merz Backs Trump Peace Push, Calls For Trilateral Meeting With Putin – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed Donald Trump’s push for a peace deal with Ukraine, saying a swift settlement could outweigh a ceasefire. In interviews, Merz revealed Trump pledged U.S. security guarantees for Kyiv and urged a trilateral summit with Putin, Zelensky, and Europe’s involvement. While EU leaders push for a role, Washington remains the decisive force, with Kremlin aides cautious and U.S. allies pressing Europe to step up.

German of the day: Hochkultur

That means high culture.

And in Germany that means you have to be high to think this stuff up.

A nude visit to the museum? That’s exactly what’s possible on two dates at Stuttgart’s Haus der Geschichte, and it’s even expressly encouraged. Guests can not only explore the exhibition, but also enjoy curator tours and performances.

Thief rejects claim he stole the chicken…

While still holding on to the chicken.

Germany rejects US censorship claims in human rights report – The report itself has been accused of political bias, with the US softening criticism of Israel and El Salvador. Germany rejected the report saying it has “a very high level of freedom of expression.”

“There is no censorship in Germany.”

No one in Europe can figure this out

And it’s happening all over.

Country by country. There must be a good reason for this. Why are European voters voting for parties that promise to get European migrant madness under control? What’s wrong with them?

Far-right AfD tops German popularity ranking in bombshell new survey – Between Alternative for Germany and France’s National Rally, populists continue to rise in Europe’s most powerful countries.

German of the day: Alleingang

That means going it alone.

A major pillar of German international policy is to regularly stress how Germany will never again “go it alone.” German politicians then promptly demonstrate the importance of this strategy by going it alone once again.

Germany halts arms exports that Israel can use in Gaza – Germany is to suspend exports of weaponry that could be used in the Gaza Stripbecause of Israel’s plan to expand its operations there – the first time united Germany has acknowledged denying military support to its long-time ally.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s sudden about-turn on Friday followed mounting pressure from the public and his junior coalition partner over the manmade humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has severely restricted supplies of food and water.

Shock treatment about to begin in Germany

China shock treatment.

If the Chinese can’t displace the American workforce anymore, then they’ll displace another one (or two, or three…).

The China shock hits Germany – Trade with China displaced large parts of the American workforce in the 2000s, but Germany did not experience a similar shock at the time…

You can pump in all the money you want

Into defense.

What difference does it make if nobody is interested in defense?

Few Germans willing to take up arms to defend country, survey shows – Nearly 60% of Germans say they are not prepared to defend their homeland with weapons if Germany were attacked militarily.

Only 16% of Germans would “definitely” be willing to defend their country with weapons in case of a military attack, according to a new poll released Monday.

The Forsa Institute survey revealed widespread reluctance among Germans toward military engagement, despite repeated warnings from political and military leaders that the country should prepare for a potential armed conflict.

A clear majority—59%—indicated they would “probably not” or “definitely not” be prepared to defend Germany militarily if attacked. Among women, this reluctance was even higher at 72%.

Crazy high energy costs, crippling taxation, ever-growing red tape, ineffective government…

In Germany.

What’s not to like? This isn’t rocket science for businesses here. For businesses that are still here, I should say.

Germany’s biggest sports retailer considers moving production to China – Intersport eyes spare Chinese manufacturing capacity as Nike and Adidas back away from the country amid trade war.

One of the world’s largest sporting goods retailers is considering shifting production to China, just as brands including Nike and Adidas move production out of the country in response to US tariffs.

How did they gather all that information without everybody carrying handheld surveillance monitors?

You know, like we do now?

Very impressive.

Stasi: How the GDR kept its citizens under surveillance – Do all intelligence agents live like James Bond? Not those who worked for East Germany’s Ministry for State Security (Stasi). A new book reveals the mundane lives of the agents.

“Comrades, we must know everything!”

Better late than never

Or is it already too late?

Germany is now leading the charge on Europe’s anti-immigration turn – Chancellor Merz’s new hardline course promises to accelerate the EU’s rightward pivot on migration as the bloc prepares to implement tough measures.

Past German governments sought to temper Europe’s most hardline impulses on migration. Now, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Berlin is vying to lead Europe’s anti-immigration charge.

The stark shift in Germany’s migration stance under its new government promises to accelerate the EU’s hard-right turn on migration as the bloc prepares to implement a series of new measures aimed at drastically reducing the number of asylum seekers entering Europe — and deporting more of those who do make it. As European leaders negotiate on how to put these measures into place, those from some of the EU’s most hardline countries are welcoming Germany’s new role.