Following President Trump’s refusal to rule out military action to acquire Greenland, France and Germany issued strong warnings against any threats to sovereign borders. French officials labeled Trump’s comments as exhibiting a “form of imperialism,” emphasizing the need for Europe to strengthen its military and economic position. Germany, while declining to directly assess the threat, reiterated the principle that borders cannot be altered by force. This incident underscores rising concerns in Europe regarding the potential for unilateral actions by the United States and the need for a stronger European response.
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Following the expiration of a key transit deal, Ukraine halted the flow of Russian natural gas through its territory to Europe. This expected, yet symbolically significant move comes after Europe significantly reduced its reliance on Russian gas. While Ukraine will lose approximately $800 million annually in transit fees, and Gazprom faces a near $5 billion loss in sales, Europe has prepared for this scenario by securing alternative supply routes and boosting LNG imports. Despite some potential short-term price fluctuations, major disruptions are deemed unlikely due to these preparations and a mild start to winter.
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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) hosted a summit in Vienna focusing on actionable strategies to combat a dramatic rise in European antisemitism, exceeding post-World War II levels. The summit brought together non-Jewish parliamentarians and city officials to share successful initiatives and develop new approaches. Key discussion points included tackling online antisemitism, combating boycotts targeting Israel in academia and sports, and promoting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. Participants emphasized the need for proactive measures, including institutional policy changes and collaboration with universities to ensure the safety and inclusion of Jewish students.
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John Q. Hosedrinker