Tag Archives: Exports
We’re Not Doing Anything Wrong
The following was taken from the aricle “Wir tun doch nix…” in this week’s Die Zeit.
Germany is neither this consistently pacifist country (described beforehand in the article) nor this worldly-wise state dealing in power politics, rather a bad mix of both: A country that strictly refuses to participate in military interventions but makes every effort to export its weapons instead, gladly to dictatoships in crises regions; a country that is very guarded when it comes to criticism concerning human rights issues in China and Russia, a country that has even begun to wonder if democracy itself is always the best answer; and all of this while acting as if it were the world champion of morality at the same time.
No, nobody would want to live in a country like that. Not even the Germans themselves.
Profitieren statt intervenieren. In einem solchen Land möchte man tatsächlich nicht leben.
German Defense Technology
Made in Germany. By German pacifists.
For the International Defense Exhibition & Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi. For all of us, I mean.
Die deutschen Konzerne betreiben einen großen Aufwand, um sich in Abu Dhabi zu präsentieren. Denn wer auf der Arabischen Halbinsel Rüstungsgüter erfolgreich verkaufen will, muss seine Produkte auf der Idex zeigen.
Republic of I.
Saudi A.
No Contradiction Here
Just move along, folks. Nothing to look at here.
While German dedication to saving the German environment by ridding the country of nuclear power is in full swing (sort of), the German government has absolutely no problem using public money to guarantee the construction of nuclear power plants in other countries at the same time.
It’s not a contradiction really, though. Honest. Environment Minister Peter Almaier’s current ministry slogan is “high time that something changed” and they are even trying to set up an international club of countries who have done/will do away with nuclear energy. And that’s the main thing. So something has changed, sort of. The countries Germany is helping to build atomic energy programs for just won’t be allowed to join their club, that’s all.
“It is a gross contradiction, that we are pushing forwards with the change in energy generation while supporting atomic energy abroad.”
“Laser”
Dr. Evil: [about his new “laser“] You see, I’ve turned the moon into what I like to call a “Death Star”. [Scott snickers]
German defense firm Rheinmetall Defense used a new high-energy laser weapons system to shoot fast-moving drones at a distance. The system, which uses two laser weapons, was also used to cut through a steel girder a kilometer away.
All I can say is thank goodness this technology is in German hands. That way it will only be used for peaceful purposes. You know, like making money, and stuff like that.
ONE MILLION DOLLARS!
Saudi A.
Beautiful German weapon sale of the week.
Because somebody has to admire them.
PS: Beautiful German scam of the week (of the decade?): “Burnout and Depression: Mental Suffering Forces Ever More Victims Into Early Retirement.”
Secret Weapons Deals?
Since when has any of this been a secret?
That Germany is the world’s third largest weapons exporter, I mean (preferably to the Middle East these days, by the way). So what’s the problem here? Germany is simultaneously the world’s number one pacifist nation too, you know.
But to make matters even, uh, better, some here are unabashedly calling this enlightened policy “the Merkel Doctrine” now: It’s better to maintain peace by selling weapons, rather than have to fight for it. They have to be German weapons, of course. But still. You know, help those who help themselves while you’re helping yourself at the same time?
Wait a minute. Hasn’t that always been the doctrine here?
Waffen verkaufen, statt selber zu kämpfen.









