Is Germany a Reliable American Ally? Nein – WSJ

Berlin refuses to supply Ukraine with weapons, and it is actively preventing Estonia from doing so. In recent days, Britain has airlifted antitank weapons to Ukraine and conducted Ukraine-related intelligence-gathering flights. But while the intelligence flights have transited German airspace the most direct route between Britain and Ukraine the weapons flights have been making detours around Germany. Britain s Defense Ministry played down the detours, confirming that it didn t seek overflight permission. But that s the point: Britain didn t ask because that would have forced Germany to grant or reject the request. Britain believed the decision would be difficult for Chancellor Olaf Scholz s new government.

Another illustration is Berlin s approach to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which will send gas to Europe from Russia. German regulators say the pipeline can t start working until it meets corporate compliance standards. That has rankled Mr. Putin, who wants it pumping now. In turn, the Russian president s Gazprom puppet company has reversed gas flows through the existing Yamal-Europe pipeline for more than four weeks. Russia also has cut off thermal coal supplies to Ukraine for more than three months. Mr. Putin s message is clear: Ukraine better roll over, and Germany better approve Nord Stream 2.

via www.wsj.com

The US should realize there will come a time when we turn to Germany for help, and Germany won’t be there.