Germany Warns: Global Order Collapsing

At the Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that the once-reliable rules-based world order no longer exists. Highlighting the intensified power struggles in today’s geopolitics, Merz stressed that European freedom is no longer assured and called on Europeans to be prepared for sacrifices.

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Merz spoke amid growing tensions between Europe and the US, exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s contentious efforts to annex Greenland and his imposition of tariffs on European imports. These actions have raised concerns about the erosion of transatlantic trust, once considered the bedrock of global stability.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was present and scheduled to speak, described this as a "new era in geopolitics." The conference, attended by 50 world leaders, will focus on European defense strategies, the future of Nato, and pressing geopolitical crises like the Russia-Ukraine war.

Merz underscored a widening divide between Europe and the US, pointing out that the "Make America Great Again" movement’s cultural clash is incompatible with European values. He argued against protectionism, advocating instead for free trade and the reparation of transatlantic relationships.

Despite these challenges, Merz didn't discount the long-standing partnership with the US, urging a rejuvenation of mutual trust. He revealed confidential discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding a joint European nuclear deterrent, indicating a strategic shift amid Europe's current security concerns.

Macron, speaking after Merz, urged Europe to become a formidable geopolitical entity, rallying for re-armament following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized the existential nature of the conflict for Europe, urging collective efforts to pressure Moscow and achieve a just peace.

Rubio, reflecting on shifting global dynamics, stressed the rapid pace of change and the need for countries to reassess their roles in this evolving landscape. He hinted at the necessity for a recalibrated approach, especially concerning US-Europe relations.

Adding to the complexity, Trump has insisted on Greenland’s strategic value to US national security, though offering no concrete evidence. His claims have sparked tensions, prompting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to seek talks with Rubio over these provocative assertions.

The Munich Security Conference thus unfolds at a pivotal moment, with leaders grappling with profound shifts in global politics and seeking pathways to reinforce alliances and stabilize the international order.

Key Takeaways

• Merz warns collapsed global order; urges European sacrifice.

• US-Europe tensions grow over Greenland and trade policies.

• Macron and Merz push for a stronger, united European defense.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 13 Feb 2026

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Extremely painful, but European countries need to allocate about 10% of GDP to defence spending.

4 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

called on Europeans to be prepared for sacrifices.

He and his globalist WEF friends want a war and will have it by hook or by crook...sacrificing the children is what he means, we already see countries reintroducing mandatory military 'service' in preparation for this next war.

It will be very interesting to see how the young European people react to being pressed ganged into service

and how the de-industrialised countries attempt to regain their skills and industrial capacity especially with the lack of cheap reliable energy.

AOC, meanwhile, claimed "Orange Man Bad".

Though, the fact that she was even invited to speak shows what a farce it is.

59 minutes ago, impulse said:

AOC, meanwhile, claimed "Orange Man Bad".

Though, the fact that she was even invited to speak shows what a farce it is.

Embarrassing. She speaks in Kamalian. Listened to her and she could not complete a single sentence. https://www.c-span.org/program/international-telecasts/rep-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-speaks-at-munich-security-conference-forum-on-the-rise-of-populism/673465

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

Extremely painful, but European countries need to allocate about 10% of GDP to defence spending.

It's not really a question of percentage of GDP. The issue that the money is not spent in a coherent and coordinated way for a common defense. Together, European countries already spend much more than Russia or China, but the budget is not optimised at the European level.

I’d have to say that Merz’s comments are difficult to dismiss.

People sometimes forget that NATO has never been just about protecting Europe. Since 1949, it has also been central to a U.S. grand strategy of preventing any hostile power from dominating Europe, and ensuring that confrontation with Russia is collective, not unilateral.

Undermining alliance credibility doesn’t just unsettle Europe, it potentially weakens America’s own forward defence posture. If Europe can no longer trust the U.S. commitments, deterrence itself is weakened and the U.S. must either accept higher strategic risk or be prepared to act alone (as it may have to in Iran).

Compounding this even more, Rubio’s remarks about shifting global dynamics have wider implications. If the U.S. security guarantees in Europe begin to look conditional or transactional, it's allies in Asia and Oceania must also be wondering where they stand.

An uncertainty could embolden China to test and strain U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.

So, unless the U.S. genuinely believes it can confront both Russia and China without reliable partners, weakening its allies trust looks less like a "recalibrated approach" and more like needless self-inflicted damage!

Germany intends to train and arm all their far right kids, and then hope they shoot Russians and not their own government.

Good luck with that one guys!

Ironic coming from Germany given Merkel's involvement in the breakdown of European borders.

6 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Extremely painful, but European countries need to allocate about 10% of GDP to defence spending.

Why?

Europe has no enemies. Russia wants to sell gas, China wants to sell EV's.

They'd be fine as long as NATO gives up meddling in the middle east, overthrowing and subverting regimes, setting off waves of economic migrants.

The only real threat is US/UK terrorism and blowing up of infrastructure.

11 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Europe has no enemies. Russia wants to sell gas, China wants to sell EV's.

Nailed it 👍

21 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Ironic coming from Germany given Merkel's involvement in the breakdown of European borders.

Germany faced a deficiency in diversity, highlighting the crucial need for immigration. Embracing diversity is not just beneficial; it is our greatest strength.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

Ironic coming from Germany given Merkel's involvement in the breakdown of European borders.

Yes, I agree. She had her bleeding liberal heart out there and never thought of the consequences. But, she'll never live long enough to see the future that she has plagued Germany and much of the Western Europe with.

14 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

Europe has no enemies. Russia wants to sell gas, China wants to sell EV's.

Tell that to Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia and Lithuania.

20 hours ago, johng said:

He and his globalist WEF friends want a war and will have it by hook or by crook...sacrificing the children is what he means, we already see countries reintroducing mandatory military 'service' in preparation for this next war.

It will be very interesting to see how the young European people react to being pressed ganged into service

and how the de-industrialised countries attempt to regain their skills and industrial capacity especially with the lack of cheap reliable energy.

Your view is based on what?

Far too many people need bogeymen, and many have decided it's the WEF....or Bilderberg....or Bohemian Grove....or Skull&Bones...or The Council on Foreign Relations....or 10' Shape-Shifting Lizard People from the rogue planet Nibiru.

All have equal validity...which is zero.

20 hours ago, impulse said:

AOC, meanwhile, claimed "Orange Man Bad".

Though, the fact that she was even invited to speak shows what a farce it is.

The Summit needed a ration of truth, which Rubio is incapable of delivering, so AOC stepped up to the plate.

It seems Chancellor Merz believes similarly.

1 minute ago, Wingate said:

The Summit needed a ration of truth, which Rubio is incapable of delivering, so AOC stepped up to the plate.

It seems Chancellor Merz believes similarly.

After watching AOC, we're hoping that the Dem 2028 slate will be Harris/AOC. It'll be a word salad bar...

And when they get trounced, it'll be because of racism and misogyny, right? Not because they can't string together a coherent thought to save their lives.

21 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Extremely painful, but European countries need to allocate about 10% of GDP to defence spending.

While Europe can no longer count on the US in any way, and thus must take total responsibility for itself, it is difficult to set some sort of % of GDP number for defense spending. Efficient and practical spending, yes, but a target number, no.

The US has a massive defense budget because of a number of things, including cost overruns and having constituencies that favor pork for their district, even if the defense weapons produced are useless. Then there are the pointless wars in which the US has engaged, such as Iraq and Afghanistan (beyond just taking out the al Qaeda training camps subsequent to 9-11).

6 minutes ago, impulse said:

After watching AOC, we're hoping that the Dem 2028 slate will be Harris/AOC. It'll be a word salad bar...

I'm going to guess that as of this writing, you didn't actually watch AOC's speech in its entirety.

While I may not agree with all of her policies and beliefs, I can see she is head and shoulders above Trump in terms of her intellect. In House Hearings, she is always well prepared and often gets right to the point, embarrassing unprepared members of the Administration. Contrast her to the "Pennywise" Bondi. Laughable angry clown.

If you're a salad kind of guy and need a fix, your boy Trump is a true pro when it comes to word salad. Many people are saying nobody does word salad better than him.

I don't think you'll get your wish in 2028, even though a Harris/AOC ticket probably would beat Vance and whomever. Vance has the charisma of rotting Melba Toast.

The Dems will put up people like Newsom or Jason Crow or Elisa Slotkin or Josh Shapiro or Wes Moore.

9 minutes ago, Wingate said:

I'm going to guess that as of this writing, you didn't actually watch AOC's speech in its entirety.

I didn't watch the canned, choreographed, focus group tested parts that were probably written by others.

I watch how they respond off the cuff. Rubio, Vance, Bessant... They can start with no crib notes and no teleprompter and hold their own against even a hostile press. Harris and AOC can't even take softball questions without a rehearsed script. They go straight to unintelligible word salads.

I see Killary Hillary didn't disappoint:

On Saturday, Hillary Clinton hosted a “Fundamental Rights for Women” panel, and her first guest was transgender Congressman Tim “Sarah” McBride.

“Sarah” McBride is a biological male pretending to be a woman. Hillary Clinton praised McBride and said he is trying to bring people together around issues of gender.

2 hours ago, Wingate said:

I'm going to guess that as of this writing, you didn't actually watch AOC's speech in its entirety.

She didn't give a speech. She was sitting in on a panel discussion. And she flubbed it massively. Couldn't complete sentences. Mashed thoughts together. She should have been humiliated. Yes, I saw it. In fact, I included the CSPAN link to it above. Anybody can look and see that she made a fool out of herself.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

I see Killary Hillary didn't disappoint:

On Saturday, Hillary Clinton hosted a “Fundamental Rights for Women” panel, and her first guest was transgender Congressman Tim “Sarah” McBride.

“Sarah” McBride is a biological male pretending to be a woman. Hillary Clinton praised McBride and said he is trying to bring people together around issues of gender.

Why are you so obsessed by transgenders?

Even when the thread's topic is completely unrelated, you still find a way to express your obsession!

1 minute ago, candide said:

Why are you so obsessed by transgenders?

Even when the thread's topic is completely unrelated, you still find a way to express your obsession!

I'm not. I'm just pointing out that the lefties are.

Unless, of course, we're talking about trans mass shooters. They don't like that to be mentioned, the fact that transgenders are way over-represented in the mass shooter demographic.

4 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Tell that to Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia and Lithuania.

Hey Moldova, Latvia and Lithuania!

Don't let the CIA overthrow your governments and install a nazi apartheid regime, and then embark on a campaign of ethnic cleansing, or you'll FAFO like Ukraine.

Happy now?

41 minutes ago, impulse said:

I'm not. I'm just pointing out that the lefties are.

Unless, of course, we're talking about trans mass shooters. They don't like that to be mentioned, the fact that transgenders are way over-represented in the mass shooter demographic.

"the fact that transgenders are way over-represented in the mass shooter demographic."

Of course, it's a ridiculous lie which confirms your obsession! 🤣

https://www.factcheck.org/2025/09/few-mass-shooters-have-been-transgender

https://factually.co/fact-checks/society/how-many-us-mass-shooters-are-trans-418fbb

2 hours ago, candide said:

"the fact that transgenders are way over-represented in the mass shooter demographic."

Of course, it's a ridiculous lie which confirms your obsession! 🤣

https://www.factcheck.org/2025/09/few-mass-shooters-have-been-transgender

https://factually.co/fact-checks/society/how-many-us-mass-shooters-are-trans-418fbb

Let me guess. Those lefty so called fact checkers include gangland shootouts as mass shooting events instead of what they really are.

If you look at all the recent lone loony mass shootings, there's a theme.

57 minutes ago, impulse said:

Let me guess. Those lefty so called fact checkers include gangland shootouts as mass shooting events instead of what they really are.

If you look at all the recent lone loony mass shootings, there's a theme.

In other words, you have nothing and are just reposting the propaganda you are fed with.

On 2/14/2026 at 6:28 AM, ASEAN NOW News said:

Merz stressed that European freedom is no longer assured and called on Europeans to be prepared for sacrifices.

Too true. European freedom is threatened by unrepresentative politicians and unelected bureaucrats, parasites who are sucking dry the ever-diminishing wealth of our peoples. And to cover up and further extend their racket, they seek to persuade us to give them yet more wealth to supposedly protect us from our Russian neighbours.

Neighbours who were happy to trade with us on a mutually beneficial basis. But our leaders, under orders from their puppet-masters across the pond, led us up the garden path by adopting a policy of provocation based upon illusory narratives that drew a curtain of steel and explosive across our Continent. Result: wealth, infrastructure, and people blown to pieces

The puppet-masters have seen, not the error of their ways, but the failure to achieve their goal. They have shifted their centre of operations, leaving us with their can of worms. Exposing our leaders' misguidedness. Which they will not admit. So they double down.

Leaders who fail on such a monumental scale must be sacrificed.

Europes threat is from within.

Duplicitous Liberal EU politicians selling out their people by importing hostility from third world countries and denying them rights and opportunities under the guise of DEI.

If there is ever another major war they are going to get a shock when they try to recruit indigenous young men to defend them.