Trump (not America) threatens NATO again…

[Ron in Regina]

Wakie wakie Ron.

The "Greater North America" initiative is a geopolitical security and strategic doctrine unveiled by the U.S. administration. It redefines the Western Hemisphere north of the equator—stretching from Greenland to Ecuador and Alaska to Guyana—as the United States' immediate security perimeter, rather than classifying these regions as part of the Global South. [1, 2, 3]

Core Strategic Focus

• Hemispheric Security: The doctrine, a 21st-century revitalization of the Monroe Doctrine, aims to secure vital maritime choke points (including the Panama Canal) and counter organized crime and drug trafficking.
• Continental Integration: The plan seeks closer economic and security ties between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to establish a self-sufficient super-bloc to counter global competitors.
• Resource and Supply Chain Control: It prioritizes the control and harmonization of energy resources, supply lines, and industrial production across the continent. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Regional Breakdown

• The North (Canada & Greenland): The U.S. looks to consolidate continental defense and secure critical mineral supply chains, which includes pursuing increased military integration and exploring strategic territorial interests in the Arctic.
• Central America & Northern South America: Every nation north of the equator—including countries like Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia—falls within this redefined zone. The goal here is strict security partnerships, counternarcotics coordination, and controlling migration pressures.
• The South (South of the Equator): Countries south of the equator are expected to take on increased "burden sharing" to defend the South Atlantic and South Pacific, supported by the U.S.. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

For a closer look at how this impacts the broader hemisphere, you can explore the Costa Rica Included in New U.S. Greater North America Security Strategy analysis or review the Pete Hegseth's 'Greater North America' Doctrine report.

So….is this the Western Hemisphere’s plan for the Western Hemisphere, or is it America’s Trump’s America’s plan for the Western Hemisphere regardless of the other 34 nations in that Western Hemisphere?

This new Trump administration initiative, framed within the US hemispheric security strategy, stretches from Ecuador to Greenland and encompasses the Caribbean, all of Central America, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guyana. It seeks to strengthen Washington’s influence and control over the continent, viewing the Latin American and Caribbean countries it encompasses as key “partners.”

Definition of VASSAL

a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom they have vowed homage and fealty : a feudal tenant; one in a subservient or subordinate position… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

Good .

For?

Every nation north of the equator—including countries like Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia—falls within this redefined zone. The goal here is strict security partnerships, counternarcotics coordination, and controlling migration pressures.

Strict security partnerships with each other (?) or with America as vassals militarily, economically, and otherwise? The vision effectively reduces partners like Canada and Mexico to satellite states or administrative extensions of the United States.

(The relationships between vassal rulers and empires were dependent upon the policies and agreements of each empire. While the payment of tribute and military service was common amongst vassal states, the degree of independence and benefits given to vassal states varied. Today, more common terms are puppet state, protectorate, client state, associated state, or satellite state)

The new Greater North America posits that all nations north of the equator are no longer part of the so-called Global South, and that they fall within the zone of direct U.S. defense interest. The aim is to ensure the security of critical resources, maritime routes, and the Panama Canal, with the stated goal of strengthening defense cooperation and controlling drug trafficking routes that directly (or indirectly?) impact U.S. security.

The Trump administration's strategic goals are rooted in 19th-century imperialism. This divides the Western Hemisphere into a rigid American-controlled security perimeter—frequently called the "Donroe Doctrine"—where smaller nations are expected to simply align with U.S. imperial interests.

In effect, Greater North America defines a zone of influence in which everything that happens from Greenland to Ecuador is a matter of U.S. internal (?) security. Thus, voluntary cooperation is replaced by the establishment of an integrated security bloc where local sovereignty is subordinated to U.S. security.

Greater North America and the US Government's New Regional Geography

Just over a month has passed since the first missiles of Operation Epic Fury killed, on the very first day, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 150 schoolgirls and school staff, and most of Iran’s military (40) and political leadership and days since a precarious ceasefire went into effect. The attacks...

www.counterpunch.org

 

[Taxslave2]

It rather looks like a way to ensure any military action to "protect" US (Trump's) interests happens outside the US where casualties don't matter.

 

[Ron in Regina]

It rather looks like a way to ensure any military action to "protect" US (Trump's) interests happens outside the US where casualties don't matter.

…a zone of influence in which everything that happens from Greenland to Ecuador is a matter of U.S. internal (?) security.

The "Greater North America" initiative is a geopolitical security and strategic doctrine unveiled by the U.S. administration. It redefines the Western Hemisphere north of the equator…

Good .

For? Where does the “U.S.” start & stop here?

Is Columbia inside or outside of this?

Or is only part of Columbia inside this giving them more autonomy than someplace like Canada, or Cuba, or Mexico? Donald Trump does not explicitly use the term "vassal" or "tribute." However, his rhetoric and trade strategies reflect a perception that Canada and Mexico are deeply indebted to American economic dominance, and the rest of Greater North America? What “tribute” does Trump want from the other 34 nations?

The Donroe Doctrine

Good news, citizens! Through the brilliance, courage, and benevolence of President Trump, the nationwide average price of gasoline dropped to $4.48 per gallon, down 87,000% since the interregnum of Dictator Biden, when millions of White women were raped every day and illegal dark people...

forums.canadiancontent.net

 

[Ron in Regina]

So how will Trump threaten & coerce a military Defensive alliance like NATO that America is a member of? I think the answer is openly and blatantly, economically and militarily.

…& childishly it would seem. President Donald Trump took another social media potshot at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday.

'Padded Cell Needed': Critics Rip 'F**king Nuts' Trump After New Insult At World Leader — HuffPost

The president has been publicly feuding with Giorgia Meloni since last month's G7 summit.

apple.news

With the ⁠two leaders due to attend a NATO summit in Turkey this week, Trump appeared to reignite the dispute when he posted on Truth Social a picture of Meloni looking up at him with the caption "RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED". The Italian prime minister has yet to respond.

Trump goads Italy's Meloni again on eve of NATO summit — Reuters

Italy's defence minister stressed the importance of good transatlantic relations on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump again goaded erstwhile ally Giorgia Meloni, the ‌Italian prime minister.

apple.news

Canada’s increased defence spending will without a doubt be overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s musings in Ankara, whether they are about Iran, Greenland, or leaving NATO altogether.

Earlier this year, Trump also demanded Greenland from Denmark, another Nato member, though he dropped the “proposal” after international lobbying and an agreement to create an Arctic air patrol mission to deter any Russian military activity.

“I think this might be the tensest summit yet,” said Stephen Saideman, head of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University.

“On the one hand, (Trump) expects NATO to jump and dance whenever he demands. On another hand, NATO countries paid a real price for this failed war in Iran,” he said.”

'This might be the tensest summit yet': Carney to meet NATO allies amid Trump threats — National Post

Although Carney will be holding some bilateral meetings during the summit, it is unclear if he will be meeting with Trump

apple.news

Russia launched a major aerial attack on Kyiv overnight, killing at least 11 people, just a day before leaders of NATO countries are set to meet in Ankara, Turkey and after a weekend in which Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with President Donald Trump.

All of the ballistic missiles launched by Russia struck their targets, underscoring Kyiv’s shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles. The attack came hours after Zelenskyy warned that a large-scale attack was imminent.

U.S. pushes renewed plan to end Ukraine-Russia war ahead of NATO summit — Global News

Authorities in Turkey have detained more than 100 people including journalists and academics following anti-NATO marches as the country prepares to host world leaders for a summit this week. There’s a renewed push to find an end to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Attacks between the...

apple.news

Each summit is meant to showcase the commitment to collective security — the all-for-one, one-for-all pledge enshrined in Article 5 of NATO’s treaty. It’s only been invoked once, when allies came to America’s aid after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister and current NATO chief, has tried to convince Trump that his European partners are spending so much more that America can safely turn its attention to security challenges posed by China while they handle the war in Ukraine.

But Trump wants more now, and his demand for “loyalty” saying he was still disappointed at some NATO allies’ refusal to join the Iran war, which he had launched alongside Israel without consulting them. “We don’t need their money — we don’t need anything,” Trump said. “I just want loyalty.” I think Trump is confusing the terms, loyalty and fealty.

NATO Chief Faces Challenge At Summit As Trump Demands 'Loyalty' And Not Just Burden-Sharing — HuffPost

Since he started work as NATO secretary-general almost two years ago, Mark Rutte has spent much of his time trying to keep the U.S. anchored to the world’s biggest military alliance.

apple.news

Ottawa picks Germany’s TKMS to build Canada’s new submarines, sources say — The Globe and Mail

Carney will announce the outcome of the competition for the lucrative defence contract in Halifax today

apple.news

 

[Ron in Regina]

The war in Ukraine—and Russia’s long-term goals of weakening NATO—are slated to be a top agenda item for alliance leaders’ summit, U.S. and European officials said. In his opening remarks, Rutte added that members must work together to “show Russia, and all those watching today, that a trans-Atlantic defense-industrial base is mobilizing with purpose, not in anger, but for our collective security.”

Moscow is pouring almost half of its national budget into its war machine, he added, and NATO must turbocharge its trans-Atlantic defense-industrial base in response.

Europeans accuse Russia of conducting a campaign of sabotage and nontraditional warfare across the continent that falls short of combat, yet signals Moscow’s malign intentions. Some European leaders say the hybrid attacks could herald a more conventional military attack in coming years.

America’s allies are rushing to find workarounds and replacements for the bombers, warships and other forces the U.S. recently told other NATO members they could no longer rely on in a crisis.

But filling all the holes left by the American pullback—including midair refuelers that are in short supply and long-range strategic bombers that only the U.S. has—is proving challenging for the military alliance and risks leaving its European members, in particular, exposed to rising threats from Russia.

“European leaders are set to take up the problem at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s planned annual summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week, where allied leaders will strive to maintain a veneer of unity despite divisions over the U.S. war with Iran and the Pentagon’s determination to shift assets to the Pacific.”

“NATO veterans and military experts say that Europeans can’t easily replicate or quickly replace some key military capabilities the U.S. has allocated for the defense of the alliance for decades, including long-range bombers, an aircraft carrier and submarines. The Trump administration cuts are immediate, they add, providing no time for a transition.

“The U.S. cuts, which caught the Europeans and American lawmakers off guard recently, fall into two groupings: reductions to American Army brigades already deployed on the continent, and a scaling back of air, naval and other reinforcements the Pentagon had pledged to send in a crisis.

For the Trump administration, the twin moves signaled that it was time for Europeans to take the lead in the conventional defense of Europe—putting the U.S. in a better position to beef up its military in the Pacific to deter China, and deploy force in the Western Hemisphere. Washington has committed to maintain its nuclear umbrella over Europe, NATO’s ultimate defense against Russia.

Europe Races to Plug Security Holes After U.S. NATO Pullback — The Wall Street Journal

Alliance leaders say alternatives exist for systems U.S. will pull, but fears of weakened deterrence grow

apple.news

 

[petros]

The war in Ukraine—and Russia’s long-term goals of weakening NATO—are slated to be a top agenda item for alliance leaders’ summit, U.S. and European officials said. In his opening remarks, Rutte added that members must work together to “show Russia, and all those watching today, that a trans-Atlantic defense-industrial base is mobilizing with purpose, not in anger, but for our collective security.”

Moscow is pouring almost half of its national budget into its war machine, he added, and NATO must turbocharge its trans-Atlantic defense-industrial base in response.

Europeans accuse Russia of conducting a campaign of sabotage and nontraditional warfare across the continent that falls short of combat, yet signals Moscow’s malign intentions. Some European leaders say the hybrid attacks could herald a more conventional military attack in coming years.

America’s allies are rushing to find workarounds and replacements for the bombers, warships and other forces the U.S. recently told other NATO members they could no longer rely on in a crisis.

But filling all the holes left by the American pullback—including midair refuelers that are in short supply and long-range strategic bombers that only the U.S. has—is proving challenging for the military alliance and risks leaving its European members, in particular, exposed to rising threats from Russia.

“European leaders are set to take up the problem at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s planned annual summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week, where allied leaders will strive to maintain a veneer of unity despite divisions over the U.S. war with Iran and the Pentagon’s determination to shift assets to the Pacific.”

“NATO veterans and military experts say that Europeans can’t easily replicate or quickly replace some key military capabilities the U.S. has allocated for the defense of the alliance for decades, including long-range bombers, an aircraft carrier and submarines. The Trump administration cuts are immediate, they add, providing no time for a transition.

“The U.S. cuts, which caught the Europeans and American lawmakers off guard recently, fall into two groupings: reductions to American Army brigades already deployed on the continent, and a scaling back of air, naval and other reinforcements the Pentagon had pledged to send in a crisis.

For the Trump administration, the twin moves signaled that it was time for Europeans to take the lead in the conventional defense of Europe—putting the U.S. in a better position to beef up its military in the Pacific to deter China, and deploy force in the Western Hemisphere. Washington has committed to maintain its nuclear umbrella over Europe, NATO’s ultimate defense against Russia.

Europe Races to Plug Security Holes After U.S. NATO Pullback — The Wall Street Journal

Alliance leaders say alternatives exist for systems U.S. will pull, but fears of weakened deterrence grow

apple.news

Greater America thins US forces out. A stronger EU/NATO enables this...
.

Temporarily

 

[Ron in Regina]

“Carney said in a statement at the NATO summit in Turkey's capital Ankara that Albania, Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine had all pledged their support to the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), which will be based in Canada.

The roster contained no heavyweight G7 nations other than Canada, potentially limiting the bank's financial firepower, although Canada's foreign minister, Anita Anand, told Reuters it would remain open to new members.

"This is a beginning, but they may have been hoping for the backing of bigger European players. In principle they can get ⁠this airborne with these commitments," said Linus Terhorst, an analyst at defence think tank Royal United Services Institute.”

Nine countries commit to global defence bank, Canada says — Reuters

Nine countries have committed to a new global defence bank, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday, in a boost ‌for the multilateral drive to help rearm allied nations.

apple.news

“Carney earlier this year called for an alliance of "middle powers" to combat what he sees as the fracturing of the traditional U.S.-led world order.

However, the DSRB has faced challenges securing support from larger European nations. Britain and Germany had previously distanced themselves from the project. But UK finance minister Rachel Reeves said in the country's parliament last month that it ⁠was now "working closely" with Canada on the DSRB.

http://www.youtube.com/shorts/_E-uYIu6Uak

(YouTube & Canada And Poland Are Slept On)

Britain has been promoting its own separate multilateral defence funding programme, which secured the backing of Poland on Monday, adding to support from the Netherlands and Finland.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

(YouTube & Poland's Bold Warning to Putin: Is Europe Preparing for War?)

Top banks, including JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and ING, have joined the project alongside Canada's RBC, BMO, CIBC, National Bank of Canada, Scotiabank and TD Bank.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

(YouTube & Poland has deployed artillery near Russia)

 

[Ron in Regina]

NATO picks Swedish Saab early-warning planes over US rival — Reuters

NATO announced a roughly $4.5 billion plan on Tuesday to buy up to 10 ‌Saab (SAABb.ST) GlobalEye surveillance planes to replace ageing AWACS early warning aircraft, backing a Swedish system over a rival solution from U.S. planemaker Boeing (BA.N).

apple.news

Canada taps Germany's TKMS for submarines ahead of NATO summit — Reuters

Canada said on Monday it has selected Germany's TKMS to build up to 12 submarines ‌for its navy, deepening defense ties with Europe ahead of a centered on higher military spending.

apple.news

NATO's Rutte says allies to buy up to five Triton surveillance drones — Reuters

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that allies buy up to five ‌Northrop Grumman (NOC.N) MQ-4C Triton high altitude surveillance drones, with Norway, Finland, Germany and Denmark signing a letter of intent for the purchase.

apple.news

During a NATO summit in Ankara, which European leaders had hoped would cap rifts within the military alliance, Trump instead reignited the dispute with Spain, calling it a "terrible partner". He also irked another NATO ally Denmark by reiterating that his country should control Greenland. Denmark promised to defend every inch of its territory.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered an immediate halt to all trade with NATO ally Spain, escalating tensions over ‌defence spending and the Iran war, despite European Union rules requiring trade negotiations to be conducted as a single bloc.

Trump has also repeatedly expressed frustration with Spain after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a Socialist who leads a minority leftist government, refused to let the U.S. use its airspace or bases for the Iran war. "I don't want to do any trade with them, alright?" Trump said, turning to Bessent, who replied: "Yes, sir."

Trump then added, "Take it immediately. Don't even talk to them. They're hopeless. They're bad people ... They make so much money with us, and we're going to see that they make a lot less."

Sanchez's office said in a statement it was treating Trump's statements as "business as usual" and did not intend to change the "excellent" relations it enjoyed with Washington. It pointed out that Spain had a trade deficit with the U.S. and that economic ties were forged by private companies rather than governments, adding that as part of the customs ‌and trade ⁠union, individual EU members could not be singled out.

Trump orders halt to US trade with Spain over NATO spending, Iran — Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered an immediate halt to all trade with NATO ally Spain, escalating tensions over ‌defence spending and the Iran war, despite European Union rules requiring trade negotiations to be conducted as a single bloc.

apple.news

Punishing Spain individually would be possible but difficult, Jennifer Hillman, economic law expert and former member of the WTO’s Appellate Body, said in March. She said Trump would need to:
1) Declare a national emergency which we’ve seen him do already with others like Canada and Mexico,
2) …and provide evidence that Spain constituted a ⁠threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy or the economy or at least claim that’s happening, like he’s done with Canada and Mexico.

“We’re all doing exactly what the Americans demanded and what we have to do for our own security,” a NATO diplomat said. “But a morning of big new defense spending is now overshadowed by complaints over Greenland.” Allies were especially surprised given Trump’s aides had said ahead of the summit that the U.S. was looking for a constructive two days.

Trump revived a host of grievances against NATO within hours of landing. He said what happens in Ukraine doesn’t affect Washington and repeated his assertions that Greenland should be controlled by the United States.

Even if Trump’s comments cast a shadow over the proceedings, his grievances and posturing are not a surprise, said a former NATO official, who like others, was granted anonymity to to discuss sensitive diplomacy. “It’s all priced in by this point. Everyone expects it,” the official said. Last year after a combination of charm and flattery from Rutte, an alliance commitment to 5 percent defense spending and a similarly short program, Trump went home declaring the summit a win.

NATO allies temper expectations for summit after Trump’s angry entrance — POLITICO

Whether the summit ends in reassurance or rupture may come down to Wednesday, when Trump meets Ukraine’s president and weighs in on the future of U.S. forces in Europe.

apple.news

President Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed the conflict in Ukraine, claiming that what happens there "doesn't affect the United States" because there is "an ocean in between?”

(YouTube & Russia-Ukraine war 'doesn’t affect the United States’: Trump)

Trump has characterized the Russia-Ukraine war as primarily Europe's problem, signalling that it is in the "rearview mirror" as Washington shifts its primary focus toward escalating operations against Iran…something something ocean in between?