No. of Recommendations: 2
It is better if the U.S. and Germany are working together to combat the spread of authoritarian and anti-democratic countries and their sphere of influence.
I'll let CDR Salamandar answer for me:
Were I a German, I would want a few things, in this order:
Cheaper energy—lower monthly bills and prices across the board. It will also make German manufacturing more competitive. Yes, the only way to do that is to restart the nuclear power plants. With the Greens gone, no reason not to.
Stop migration. Expel illegal migrants. If someone has vacationed in the nation they claimed to seek asylum from, deport them. Etc.
Be a player in ending the war in Ukraine, if it can be ended. If Russia refuses to be reasonable at the table, then fully back the Ukrainian fight. As this is aligned with the general direction of the USA and other allies, it makes sense.
Redouble spending on national defense. 2% will not do. 2.5% is the floor, and must be reached faster.
This
There are also real downsides to having the countries of Europe become more militarized, and start throwing their weight around more independently rather than through coordination in institutions like NATO and the UN
...is overstating things a bit. Asking the Germans et al. to have credible militaries is not "militarizing Europe". Far from it.
