German Of The Day: Luftraum

That means airspace.

As in: Time To Acknowledge Ukrainian Airspace Is As Dangerous As 1961 Berlin.

The tools are different, and the location has changed, but NATO and Russian President Vladimir Putin are engaged in a repeat of an epic October 27, 1961, Cold War standoff, when combat-ready American and Soviet tanks faced off in Berlin. Back then, the Soviets were reneging on Post World War II agreements that guaranteed the wartime allies unfettered access to East Berlin, and America successfully sent tanks to the border crossings to maintain those rights.

Today, the Ukraine border is a modern-day Checkpoint Charlie, and, instead of tanks, American reconnaissance platforms are confronting Russian anti-aircraft missile batteries and fighter aircraft. And, rather than backing out of post-World War II access agreements, Russia is set to renege on a guarantee of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

After Firing Two More Arab Employees Deutsche Welle Reports That Germans Are Less Skeptical Of Immigration

That makes five Arab journalists fired so far. The Deutsche Welle has become much less skeptical about firing them, I guess.

Germans less skeptical of immigration – People across Germany have become more accepting of refugees and migrants since the pivotal year 2015. But the latest study by the Bertelsmann Foundation shows that reservations remain.

Germans have overall become more accepting of refugees. But over one-third of respondents (36%) believe that Germany cannot take in any more of them. In 2017, that number stood at 54%. Currently, 20% consider the refugees to be “temporary guests” who do not need to be integrated into society.

More Than Double?

For the country that already pays the highest energy prices in Europe?

Why The Latest Russia Crisis Might Be Worse For Berlin Than Moscow And Kyiv – Germany is wedded to Russian oil and gas. If things got hot, what would Russia do?

“In the hypothetical event of a full-blown conflict between Russia and Ukraine, we would expect the main impact on the eurozone economy to stem from higher gas prices. We would expect gas prices to more than double. Eurozone inflation would hit over 6% by the spring and remain elevated longer than in our base case.”

If Houseplant Olaf Can’t Say It…

Then Houseplant Joe will – after being handed a carefully prepared script, of course. In really big letters. With arrows and stuff pointing to the really important parts.

Biden threatens: No gas pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine – In a flurry of diplomacy across two continents, President Joe Biden met with Germany’s new leader Monday and vowed the crucial Nord Stream 2 Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline will be blocked if Russia further invades Ukraine. Russia’s Vladimir Putin retorted that the U.S. and its allies are the only ones talking invasion.

German Of The Day: Enttäuschend

That means disappointing.

Olaf Scholz goes to Washington. Hope he’s not too disappointed with all the disappointment there.

The German government’s actions to date with respect to Ukraine have been disappointing at best. All of us in NATO are doing what we can to help Ukraine. And I think many of us believe that a country of Germany’s importance and capabilities could and should do a lot. Especially at a time that will be so important for the future of the European security order. I hope the German Government will decide to do the right thing.

German State Broadcasters Take Russian State Broadcaster Off The Air

They have enough state broadcasting to do on their own as it is, thank you.

The Russian state broadcasters will retaliate by taking the German state broadcaster off the air, of course. Oh why oh why can’t we learn to state broadcast together in peace?

Russia to target German media in response to German ban on RT TV – Russia will retaliate against Germany for banning the German-language service of Russian broadcaster RT, and the response will impact German media accredited in Russia and internet “intermediaries”, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

German Of The Day: Cyber-Attacke

That means cyberattack.

An oil storage and a supply firm? Why would anybody attack oil storage and supply firms in Germany these days? And who could have possibly done it?

Germany: 2 oil storage and supply firms hit by cyberattack – Two companies involved in storing and supplying oil and other materials said Tuesday they have been hit by a cyberattack that has impacted operations in Germany.

Oiltanking GmbH Group and Mabanaft Group on Saturday discovered what they called a “cyber incident affecting our IT systems” and launched an investigation together with external specialists, the companies said in an emailed statement. They did not elaborate on the nature of the incident or address who might be responsible, and said they are working to understand its “full scope.”

The Stasi Tried To Spy On Olaf Scholz

But they couldn’t find him because he was hiding under this wig.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was under East German surveillance: report – Current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to the GDR several times in the 1980s as a leader of his party’s youth wing. He was granted special treatment in the former East, then followed home and spied on in Hamburg.