The Munich Revelation

What is it about Munich? When the world shifts, it seeks out Munich. I must explore that one day.

This weekend, it was the scene of an American assault on Europe. One of the Donald's bagmen, good old J.D. Boss Hogg, explained to European leaders that he wasn't worried about Vladimir Putin, who, as JD spoke, was still feeding the young men of Russia into a meatgrinder in Ukraine. No, he was worried about European leaders who dared to exclude the views of alt-right political parties with acknowledged origins in the Nazi Party.

Of course, he is.

Meanwhile, the Orange one himself had Romania by the collars behind the bikesheds. He wants those lovely Tate boys to be let off the hook immediately. After all, who hasn't been charged with human slavery, rape, fraud and money laundering? I gladly point out that the brothers protest their innocence, so I'm sure, like me, they want to see a swift trial so they can clear their names and get back to spreading their charming message across social media.

The US has a plan. It's not telling anyone what the plan is - but the first stage is to have a get-together with Russia in Saudi Arabia. Part of the meeting is to agree a peace in Ukraine, which is nice.

Some have asked whether it might be an idea to check with Ukraine, but such detailed thinking is not yet in scope. We do know that a member of the US administration has been in extremely detailed talks with President Zelensky. At last! A joint plan to put Putin in his place?

No, actually. The US didn't send a strategist or a military man. It sent a Treasury guy with a piece of paper demanding that Ukraine sign over half of all its heavy metals in perpetuity in return for aid already given.

European commentators are discussing what a deal might look like. What will Europe's role be? What's the Orange one after? There is a degree of shock. Is the US abandoning NATO?

They're not thinking big enough. Trump is not only abandoning NATO, he is forging an alliance with Russia.

Trump doesn't care a fig what happens to Ukraine. If Putin wants it, he can have it. In return for "business", Trump and Putin will wave a bit of paper about (often happens after Munich) claiming a deal. It will freeze things where they are, giving Putin time to consolidate, resupply and get his military sorted. Guarantees for Ukraine? That will be a European issue. Not a NATO one.

More conflict around the fringes of Europe is no big deal for Donald. Where is Estonia, anyway? If Europe wants to stand up to Putin, so be it, but it's their problem, not America's.

Trump sees Russia as the best partner he can get in Eurasia against China.

This new reality is coming at us awful fast.

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