As world leaders gathered in The Hague for a pivotal NATO summit, few expected the most surprising moment would come from a single social media post.

On the eve of the event, Donald Trump’s Truth Social lit up with a gushing message, purportedly from NATO’s new Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The post, full of praise and Trump-style bravado, declared:
“You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.”

It read like a fan letter, not a diplomatic message—and it raised more than a few eyebrows. But behind the flattery was a calculated strategy that, as the summit unfolded, proved far more effective than many predicted.

Flattery, Strategy, and a Carefully Orchestrated Summit

Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister and newly minted NATO Secretary-General, knows Trump well. During Trump’s first term, Rutte had already established himself as a smooth operator in Washington, using charm, casual wit, and just enough ego-stroking to stay on the former president’s good side.

But this time, Rutte went all in. Publicly praising Trump’s Iran strategy, softening awkward moments (like Trump’s explosive outbursts over Iran and Israel), and even offering a lighthearted “Daddy sometimes uses strong language” joke, Rutte seemed to play the role of diplomatic wingman.

Critics scoffed. Supporters called it savvy. But what’s clear is this: the summit was shaped around Trump, and Rutte helped keep the wheels on.

Even the summit schedule itself was scaled down—just one main session for leaders, reportedly tailored to fit Trump’s preferences. In a throwback to the transactional diplomacy that defined Trump’s earlier NATO appearances, the entire event was built to flatter, not frustrate.

The Results: Trump Gets Credit, NATO Gets Results

The big takeaway from the summit? NATO leaders unanimously agreed to a historic pledge: spend 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, a staggering increase from the long-elusive 2% goal. It’s a win Trump had floated back in January—and now, it’s policy.

“This is the success of President Donald Trump,” Polish President Andrzej Duda declared at the summit. Lithuanian officials echoed the sentiment, even joking that NATO’s new motto could be “Make NATO Great Again.”

Not everyone was thrilled. Spain hesitated on the language, potentially leaving room to meet its commitments without fully embracing the 5% target. Trump, unsurprisingly, called them out.

“It’s terrible what they’ve done,” he said, threatening trade penalties. “We’re going to make them pay twice as much.”

Still, the summit largely avoided the kind of diplomatic spats that have plagued past gatherings. Even Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose relationship with Trump has been historically rocky, came away with a nod toward future U.S. support and a rare Trump rebuke of Vladimir Putin.

What Changed? Trump’s Tone—and NATO’s Tactics

Perhaps the most unexpected twist was Trump himself. Known for questioning NATO’s value, he offered a surprisingly positive assessment.

“These people really love their countries,” Trump said of the alliance. “It’s not a rip-off.”

“I came here because it was something I’m supposed to be doing,” he added. “But I left here a little bit different.”

While some leaders quietly admitted Rutte’s sycophantic tone made them cringe, they also acknowledged it worked. Diplomacy, as one put it, “has many forms.”

In the End, Everybody Wins—Sort Of

The Hague summit will be remembered as a strange but effective chapter in NATO diplomacy. Rutte’s charm offensive helped avoid drama, deliver on spending goals, and hand Trump a headline-grabbing win.

And for all the awkward jokes and ego-massaging, NATO left the summit stronger, better funded, and—for now—unified in its mission. Whether that unity lasts is another question. But at least for one high-stakes week, the alliance held.

Source: CNN – Inside the NATO charm offensive that shocked as much as it delivered

The post How NATO Flattered Trump—And Got Exactly What It Wanted appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

In a historic move, Germany has deployed a permanent military brigade to Lithuania, marking the first time since World War II that German troops will be based long-term outside the country. Chancellor Friedrich Merz officially inaugurated the new brigade on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of protecting NATO’s eastern flank amid ongoing concerns about Russian aggression.

A Historic Step for Germany and NATO

“This is a historic day,” said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda after meeting Merz. “A day of trust, responsibility, and action.” The newly formed 45 Armored Brigade will bolster NATO’s presence near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, key flashpoints given the tense geopolitical climate.

Germany has had troops stationed in Lithuania since 2017, but this new brigade represents a deeper and longer-term commitment. The unit will grow steadily, reaching its full strength of around 5,000 soldiers by the end of 2027, with bases located in Rukla and Rudninkai.

Military Might on Display

The inauguration in Vilnius was marked by a dramatic flyover of military helicopters above the city’s central cathedral square, despite rainy weather. Hundreds of troops and local spectators gathered as Chancellor Merz delivered a powerful message: “Protecting Vilnius is protecting Berlin.”

Germany’s Renewed Military Focus

This deployment comes as part of Germany’s broader effort to strengthen its military, the Bundeswehr, which has faced criticism for years of underinvestment. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Germany has ramped up defense spending, aiming to meet NATO’s guideline of dedicating 2% of GDP to defense.

Chancellor Merz highlighted this commitment: “Germany is investing massively in its armed forces. We want to send a clear message to our allies: It’s time to invest decisively in our security. The security of our Baltic allies is also our security.”

Germany’s recent 100 billion-euro special fund has helped meet NATO targets, but it will run out by 2027. To sustain momentum, the new coalition government has already eased borrowing rules to boost future military budgets. Merz, who is the first German chancellor with Bundeswehr experience, vowed to make Germany’s army “the strongest conventional force in Europe.”

Lithuania Leads by Example

Lithuania itself has pledged to increase its defense budget sharply, aiming to spend between 5% and 6% of GDP starting next year. This makes it the first NATO country to meet the 5% goal originally proposed by former US President Donald Trump.

There’s also a broader plan among NATO members to target 3.5% of GDP for defense by 2032, along with an additional 1.5% for defense-related infrastructure like roads and ports.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius outlined Germany’s own plan to raise spending gradually by about 0.2 percentage points annually over the next five to seven years.

Diplomatic Efforts Amid Rising Tensions

Since taking office, Merz has actively pursued diplomacy to help bring about a ceasefire in Ukraine. “We stand firmly by Ukraine,” he said, “but we also stand together as Europeans and, whenever possible, with the US.”

Germany’s commitment to both military readiness and diplomacy highlights its pivotal role in Europe’s security landscape during a period of heightened tension with Russia.

Source: CNN – Germany deploys permanent troops to another country for the first time since World War II

The post Germany Sends Troops to Lithuania for the First Time Since World War II appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has secured parliamentary approval for a historic expansion of state borrowing, paving the way for a significant increase in military spending. The vote, which took place on Tuesday, marks a major shift in Germany’s fiscal and defense policies.

A Landmark Vote and Political Implications

Merz won the vote with a 513 to 207 majority, successfully amending Germany’s constitutional “debt brake,” a long-standing mechanism that limits government borrowing. The policy shift comes after intense negotiations with the Greens, who demanded concessions on how the new funds would be allocated. With this change, defense and security-related expenditures exceeding 1% of GDP will be exempt from the debt restrictions.

This move is seen as an effort to revitalize Germany’s struggling economy, modernize infrastructure, and significantly bolster military capabilities. The approved legislation will enable Germany to create a €500 billion ($545 billion) infrastructure fund, with additional projections estimating defense spending could reach €600 billion over the next decade.

A Defense ‘Turning Point’

Germany’s commitment to ramping up military spending represents a fundamental change in its post-WWII defense policy. Historically cautious about military expansion, the country is now responding to growing security concerns in Europe, particularly in light of the United States’ shifting stance on NATO under former President Donald Trump.

Merz’s plan builds upon the 2022 security strategy known as Zeitenwende (“turning point”), originally introduced by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, Scholz’s coalition struggled to fully implement the policy, creating an opportunity for Merz to push for more aggressive action in strengthening Germany’s defense capabilities.

Economic and Geopolitical Impact

Financial experts have described this policy shift as Germany’s most significant fiscal reform since reunification. Robin Winkler, a senior economist at Deutsche Bank, called the decision a “historic fiscal regime shift,” while Carsten Brzeski of ING noted that Germany’s move away from strict fiscal austerity could have widespread implications for the European Union’s economic policies.

Critics argue that loosening the debt brake could strain public finances, while supporters believe increased investment is necessary to ensure economic resilience and national security. Additionally, Merz has signaled a desire for greater European defense autonomy, aiming to reduce reliance on the United States for security.

Next Steps and Uncertain Future

The debt brake reform now moves to the upper house of Germany’s parliament, where it is expected to pass with the required two-thirds majority. Whether this large-scale borrowing will translate into sustainable economic growth and a stronger military remains to be seen.

As Germany embarks on this new trajectory, the coming years will determine whether this financial gamble will fortify its position as a leading power in Europe or create long-term fiscal challenges.

Source: CNN – Germany’s Merz wins vote to massively expand borrowing and super-charge military spending

The post Germany Lifts Borrowing Limits to Boost Defense and Economy appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The US Widens Its Lead as the World’s Largest Arms Exporter

The United States has solidified its position as the world’s largest arms exporter, increasing its share of global weapons sales and shifting its primary customer base from the Middle East to Europe.

According to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the US accounted for 43% of global arms exports between 2020 and 2024—more than four times the share of France, the second-largest exporter. This marks a significant increase from the 35% share the US held between 2015 and 2019.

Europe’s Growing Dependence on US Weapons

Over the past decade, Europe has increasingly relied on US-made weaponry to strengthen its defenses, particularly in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The SIPRI report highlights that:

• Nearly two-thirds of the arms imported by European NATO members in the past five years were American-made—up from just over half in the previous period.
• For the first time in two decades, the majority of US arms exports were destined for Europe rather than the Middle East.
• Ukraine has been a major recipient of US military aid, further cementing Europe’s reliance on American defense supplies.

Shifting US-EU Relations on Security and Defense

While Europe’s reliance on US military aid has deepened, recent US policy shifts suggest Washington is encouraging greater European defense independence.

• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently urged Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security, stating that the US “will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency.”
• The Trump administration held direct talks with Moscow regarding an end to the war in Ukraine—without including European or Ukrainian officials in the discussions.

Europe’s Response: Boosting Defense Spending

Faced with growing uncertainty about long-term US military support, European nations are preparing to invest heavily in expanding their own weapons production:

• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for Europe’s military spending to surpass 3% of GDP, compared to the current 1.9%.
• On Thursday, all 27 EU member states approved proposals that could unlock billions of euros for defense investments.
• EU leaders are considering a proposal from the bloc’s executive that would provide countries with up to €150 billion ($163 billion) in loans for defense expansion.

The Future of European Defense

As the US signals a shift in its security commitments, Europe is being pushed to develop a more self-sufficient defense strategy. While US arms sales to European allies remain strong, the continent is taking steps toward reducing its reliance on American military aid and bolstering its own defense production.

Source

The post America’s Arms Dominance: US Expands Lead as Top Weapons Exporter appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.