Yesterday's article was initially intended for my main account. However, upon finishing it, I realized it was already past midnight, so I decided to publish it on my secondary account. Here's the link for those interested to take a look ("Just Now, Something Unthinkable Happened in Japan"). But before we dive into today's discussion, I need to mention this: Have you all noticed that since the India-Pakistan aerial combat on May 7th, the world seems to have suddenly become quieter? Previously, there were so many events that I couldn't cover them all, but now it appears as if everything has come to a standstill. Even the news that does surface is rather lackluster. For instance, a destroyer from Cao County recently capsized during its launch ceremony; South Korea is about to hold a presidential election with Lee Jae-myung leading the polls; Russia and Ukraine held talks in Turkey, but the only outcome was an agreement on prisoner exchange. The most sensational event was on May 20th when, after the Russian military reclaimed and consolidated control of Kursk, Putin took a helicopter to visit the troops and comfort the locals. Along the way, he was pursued by dozens of Ukrainian drones. This incident made Putin the only leader among the five permanent UN Security Council members to be openly targeted for assassination by a hostile nation since World War II. This is quite perplexing because it's unlikely that Russia would have leaked information about his whereabouts. The most plausible explanation is that his movements were monitored by a certain country's satellite. Despite the apparent courtesy, they were actually attempting to eliminate him.
In any case, these events are either too trivial to warrant much discussion or their details are unknown, making any commentary virtually baseless. It feels as though after indulging in several sumptuous feasts, we are now faced with days of bland vegetables and tofu. However, if anyone truly thinks this way, they are gravely mistaken. Because during this seemingly uneventful week, where the news is so dull it could make one's mouth taste like ashes, fundamental changes in the global landscape have actually been taking place. While we may not be aware of many of these developments now, I believe that in a few decades, when much of this information is declassified, people will suddenly realize how extraordinary this period truly was.
To illustrate this point, let's start from the most recent events and work our way back, discussing even smaller and more subtle occurrences that have taken place.
Firstly, yesterday, after concluding his visit to Vietnam, French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to Indonesia, announcing in advance his intention to strengthen military cooperation with the country. 
The media coverage of this event, however, has been somewhat off track. Why do I say this? Because during Macron's previous visit to Vietnam, he was photographed appearing as though he had been slapped by his wife, and the couple did not walk hand in hand upon disembarking from the presidential plane. Consequently, when he arrived in India yesterday, all cameras were focused on the couple to see if Macron would be slapped again. Fortunately, before disembarking, his wife linked arms with him, and the entire appearance was quite affectionate. It seems the couple is fine. So why do I say the media coverage is off track? Because Macron's visit to Indonesia is not merely a leisurely trip with his wife; he is there on a crucial mission to salvage a situation.
The media coverage of this event, however, has been somewhat off track. Why do I say this? Because during Macron's previous visit to Vietnam, he was photographed appearing as though he had been slapped by his wife, and the couple did not walk hand in hand upon disembarking from the presidential plane. Consequently, when he arrived in India yesterday, all cameras were focused on the couple to see if Macron would be slapped again. Fortunately, before disembarking, his wife linked arms with him, and the entire appearance was quite affectionate. It seems the couple is fine. So why do I say the media coverage is off track? Because Macron's visit to Indonesia is not merely a leisurely trip with his wife; he is there on a crucial mission to salvage a situation.
This situation dates back to February 2022 when Indonesia and France signed a significant deal for Indonesia to purchase 42 Rafale fighter jets from France, with deliveries scheduled in three batches: the first batch of six aircraft, the second batch of eighteen, and the third batch of eighteen. The initial delivery of fighter jets is set for early 2026. However, this deal has been highly contentious within Indonesia. Some have questioned why Indonesia should opt for the much more expensive French fighter jets when the J-10C is available at a lower cost. This dissenting voice was subsequently suppressed by the United States. As Indonesia has historically utilized a significant amount of Soviet/Russian weaponry and shares substantial conflicts with Australia, it is unlikely to purchase American weapons. The U.S. would naturally be displeased with Indonesia acquiring Chinese fighter jets. However, if Indonesia were to purchase French weaponry instead, that would be a different story. Little did anyone expect that on May 7th of this year, during the India-Pakistan aerial combat, the Rafale's performance was so poor that it shocked the world. Those who had initially advocated for the J-10C promptly emerged, exclaiming, "You didn't listen to us back then, did you? Look at the situation now and realize how foresighted we were!"
At this point, it becomes clear why Macron had to visit Indonesia. Firstly, the reputation of the Rafale desperately needs to be salvaged. Secondly, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, France still commands a certain level of respect from Indonesia. Moreover, with Australia in proximity to Indonesia, the surface-level formalities must be maintained. Hence, the Indonesians signed a memorandum of understanding with the French, stating that the Rafale is excellent and that they might consider additional purchases in the future. Whether they will actually make further purchases is another matter, but at least the favor has been extended.
One might think everything is hunky-dory in this scenario. If so, they would be mistaken! There is a discreet loser in all this: the United States! If the Indonesians were not apprehensive about the U.S., would they have given France such a courtesy? Many things require careful contemplation for their deeper implications to emerge.
Moving on to the second event: Many may not have noticed that the Germans have been truly rising to prominence lately, basking in the limelight and embodying the image of European leadership. Consider this little-known piece of news: Just a couple of days ago, in Lithuania—one of the "Baltic Three"—German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended the inauguration ceremony of the German Army's 45th Armored Brigade. What is this 45th Armored Brigade? It comprises approximately 5,000 personnel, stationed in Lithuania, and deployed just about 20 kilometers from the border between Lithuania and Belarus. Essentially, this is a message to other nations: Should Russia invade through Belarus, the Germans will step in to protect you!
However, Germany's ambitions extend far beyond this. Earlier, Scholz publicly declared that the German government would provide the German military with as much "financial resources" as possible to make it the strongest army in Europe. Who is the loser in this scenario? Unfortunately, it is the United States once again! As we all know, Germany is no ordinary country—it is a defeated nation of World War II, and the Americans have had a leash on it for years. The Germans, in turn, have been compliant, consistently stating that their defense policy is one of "military restraint" and that they would deeply learn from historical lessons. Previously, they humbly positioned themselves below the French, allowing France to take the lead while contentedly playing second fiddle. But now, they have discarded this pretense and laid their cards on the table: "I intend to be the leader of Europe, and I will deploy troops overseas!" For decades, the United States has been able to manipulate Europe because of its military weakness and dependence on America. With Germany's sudden rise, it is the U.S. that will suffer losses!
But this is not the end of it. There is an even more severe development: during this period, the so-called "West," comprising Europe and the United States, has essentially begun to show clear signs of disunity. On April 2nd, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order announcing the imposition of "reciprocal tariffs," with Europe being one of the primary targets. The Europeans were furious and vowed to retaliate. However, Trump, sensing the backlash and the anger he had provoked, backpedaled, stating that there was no need for haste and that negotiations could take place over the next 90 days. If successful, the "reciprocal tariffs" would be avoided. When does this 90-day period end? On July 9th. To everyone's surprise, Trump blatantly reneged on his promise: on May 23rd, he announced a 50% tariff increase on European goods, effective June 1st. 
This news enraged the Europeans. On the same day, European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera dispensed with diplomatic niceties and directly accused Trump of "tariff blackmail," stating that the EU would not back down. "We will resist and see this through to the end!" German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Christian Kellner also remarked, "We are open to negotiations with the U.S., but we have our red lines. If no agreement is reached, Europe will stand united in facing the U.S. head-on!" Subsequently, Trump, intimidated by this resolve, reversed his stance again after two days, claiming a willingness to compromise and resuming the original plan to "freeze" the tariff issue until July 9th for further discussions.
This news enraged the Europeans. On the same day, European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera dispensed with diplomatic niceties and directly accused Trump of "tariff blackmail," stating that the EU would not back down. "We will resist and see this through to the end!" German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Christian Kellner also remarked, "We are open to negotiations with the U.S., but we have our red lines. If no agreement is reached, Europe will stand united in facing the U.S. head-on!" Subsequently, Trump, intimidated by this resolve, reversed his stance again after two days, claiming a willingness to compromise and resuming the original plan to "freeze" the tariff issue until July 9th for further discussions.
This situation seems to patch up the previously broken rapport, but the question remains: Is the patched window paper the same as the original? Of course not! Which brings us to the fourth event: Ten days ago, a significant rift emerged between the U.S. and Europe, more severe than the aforementioned tariff dispute. What happened? Ten days ago, three European countries held elections, the outcomes of which have made Europeans increasingly wary of the U.S. First is Portugal, where on May 18th, parliamentary elections resulted in the center-right governing party, the Democratic Alliance, securing only 89 seats, while the far-right party, aligned with Trump's allies, garnered 58 seats. The Americans were elated and thrilled by this outcome, but the Europeans wore a face of gravity. The shadow of Trump's support loomed too heavily over this result! Second is Romania, where the second round of presidential elections saw the establishment candidate, Nicuşor Dan, defeat the previously leading George Șișeleanu with 54% of the vote, much to the Europeans' relief. The Americans, however, were furious. Why? The second round of voting had been long overdue, but Romania's Constitutional Court deemed it unlawful and delayed the process, allowing Nicuşor Dan to emerge victorious. George Șișeleanu is a fellow traveler of Trump, and both Trump and Vance have been vehemently critical of this outcome! Third is Poland, where Trump's allies have begun to rise, though they did not win the first round, their support has significantly increased, leaving the second round still in contention. If this were the end of it, perhaps it would be manageable. However, Trump and Europe have become deeply entangled in this matter. In France, Trump's most prominent ally, Marine Le Pen, who had aspirations for the presidency, has been sentenced to prison by the court and will likely be unable to engage in politics in the future. In Germany, Trump's ally, the Alternative for Germany party, has been placed under surveillance by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and classified as a far-right organization, with its potential dissolution hanging in the balance! Those who understand the underlying logic of Western culture and philosophy know how perilous these developments truly are: both Europe and the United States operate on social logics that are vastly different from ours. Our society is largely secular-based, whereas theirs is founded on religion, which later merely changed its name to "XX-ism." Where lies the difference between the two? On our side, claiming to be "atheists" does not prevent us from visiting temples or Taoist monasteries to light incense and pray. However, on their side, if one identifies as "atheist," it is a serious matter, and such places must be avoided. Their "atheism" is akin to a religion! What if someone were to abandon it? One need only recall the numerous religious wars and the countless individuals burned at the stake during the European Middle Ages! But as we are in modern society, the topic has shifted from religion to politics—whether one is left-wing, right-wing, far-left, or far-right. The logic remains the same, only the nomenclature has changed. In the event of conflict, the struggle is just as fierce and bloody! The relationship between the U.S. and Europe, the so-called Western alliance, has reached a point that many would not have anticipated! There is at least one individual who, if aware of the current situation, would be so enraged that he would be unable to rest in his coffin! Who is this person? I have introduced him on multiple occasions before: Zbigniew Brzezinski, the American geostrategic mastermind! 
While alive, he repeatedly cautioned Americans that for the U.S., the European region of the Eurasian-African continent is of paramount importance! Why? He listed a series of reasons: Europe is the homeland of the majority of Americans, sharing the same religious heritage and values... Europe is America's natural ally! However, these are merely polite statements. The most critical point is this: Europe serves as a vital geopolitical base for the U.S. and the bridgehead of the Eurasian continent. To maintain American hegemony, Europe must not be lost! Should the U.S. be expelled from Europe, its hegemony would be utterly annihilated! Brzezinski ambiguously stated: France seeks the rebirth of Europe, while Germany aims to achieve redemption through Europe. His implication was that France, given the opportunity, would attempt to rally support and pursue European independence! As for Germany, being a defeated nation of World War II, many countries are wary of it, and it is, in fact, under de facto occupation by the U.S. military, making it easier to control! Thus, Europe must not be dominated solely by either France or Germany but should be a "dual-core" system! The U.S. must maintain this balance to keep them in check! By leveling their forces, the "unity and cohesion" of Europe can be preserved! These remarks were made by Brzezinski over 30 years ago. However, with the recent developments between the U.S. and Europe, the last piece of the life-saving puzzle Brzezinski envisioned is now being shattered! The carefully constructed puzzle he worked so hard on is collapsing like dominoes! What can be said of this? Even if one schemes with all their might, if their successors do not heed their advice, it all amounts to nothing! The "West" that we have spoken of for decades is now gradually fading away, even turning adversarial! I must remind everyone once again: the pace of change in this world far exceeds our imagination, as do the opportunities that emerge. Let us each strive to adapt and thrive!
While alive, he repeatedly cautioned Americans that for the U.S., the European region of the Eurasian-African continent is of paramount importance! Why? He listed a series of reasons: Europe is the homeland of the majority of Americans, sharing the same religious heritage and values... Europe is America's natural ally! However, these are merely polite statements. The most critical point is this: Europe serves as a vital geopolitical base for the U.S. and the bridgehead of the Eurasian continent. To maintain American hegemony, Europe must not be lost! Should the U.S. be expelled from Europe, its hegemony would be utterly annihilated! Brzezinski ambiguously stated: France seeks the rebirth of Europe, while Germany aims to achieve redemption through Europe. His implication was that France, given the opportunity, would attempt to rally support and pursue European independence! As for Germany, being a defeated nation of World War II, many countries are wary of it, and it is, in fact, under de facto occupation by the U.S. military, making it easier to control! Thus, Europe must not be dominated solely by either France or Germany but should be a "dual-core" system! The U.S. must maintain this balance to keep them in check! By leveling their forces, the "unity and cohesion" of Europe can be preserved! These remarks were made by Brzezinski over 30 years ago. However, with the recent developments between the U.S. and Europe, the last piece of the life-saving puzzle Brzezinski envisioned is now being shattered! The carefully constructed puzzle he worked so hard on is collapsing like dominoes! What can be said of this? Even if one schemes with all their might, if their successors do not heed their advice, it all amounts to nothing! The "West" that we have spoken of for decades is now gradually fading away, even turning adversarial! I must remind everyone once again: the pace of change in this world far exceeds our imagination, as do the opportunities that emerge. Let us each strive to adapt and thrive!
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