Friday, August 29, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Munich organizer in tears – Vance criticized EU elite

The collapsing Western bloc

Published 18 February 2025
– By Editorial Staff
JD Vance's speech is considered by many analysts to be a historic milestone. Organizer Christoph Heusgen broke down in tears during his closing remarks.
4 minute read

JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference on Friday became the major global political talking point of the weekend.

After the US vice-president accused the European establishment of undermining democracy and freedom of expression, the conference chairman, Christopher Heusgen, could not hold back his tears.

Heusgen’s breakdown came in front of the European political establishment after he referred to Vance’s speech, in which the US Vice President criticized, among other things, the annulment of elections by EU leaders in member states, the Union’s increasingly totalitarian tendencies and politicians’ growing fear of their own voters.

After the speech of Vice President Vance on Friday, we have to fear that our common value base are not so common anymore, said an emotionally shaken Heusgen, who appealed to European leaders to “reaffirm  the values and principles they defend”, which he said Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyj had done better than anyone else.

– I am very grateful to all those European politicians who stood up and reaffirmed the values and principles they are defending. No one did this better than President Zelensky, he continued.

But as he neared the end of his speech, he couldn’t hold back the tears any longer and started to sob out the words:

– Let me conclude… this will be difficult…

The hall was filled with applause of sympathy, with one female conference participant taking the crying Heusgen in her arms.

Organizers of Munich Security Conference firmly deny in a public statement that Heusgen started crying out of frustration after Vance’s speech – instead, they claim that the tears were due to his resignation as chairman of the power forum, with emotions taking over.

Vance’s speech shakes up the EU elite

During his speech on Friday, JD Vance condemned the EU leaders’ handling of democracy and freedom of expression, saying the biggest threat to the continent is that Europe is abandoning its own fundamental values.

He cited the recent annulment of a presidential election by the Romanian government, supported by former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, who has also hinted that the German elections could be annulled if Alternative for Germany wins.

– We’ve been told that everything we fund and support is in the name of our shared democratic values. But when we see European courts canceling elections and senior officials threatening to cancel others, we ought to ask whether we’re holding ourselves to an appropriately high standard, said the US Vice President.

– If your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred thousand dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with, he continued.

Vance also highlighted how the EU continues to push for digital censorship, threatening to shut down social media that publish supposed “disinformation”  a rhetoric he compared to that of the former communist Eastern bloc.

– I look to Brussels, where EU commissars warn citizens that they intend to shut down social media during times of civil unrest the moment they spot what they’ve judged to be, quote, “hateful content”.

He also touched on Sweden’s verdict against the murdered Iraqi Koran burner Salwan Momika’s colleague who was convicted of participating in the actions.

– As the judge in his case chillingly noted, Sweden’s laws to supposedly protect free expression do not, in fact, grant, and I’m quoting, “a free pass to do or say anything without risking offending the group that holds that belief”.

Met with AfD leader condemned the “firewall policy” against the party

During his stay in Munich, Vance also met AfD leader Alice Weidel for a brief meeting in a discussion that centered on Ukraine, German domestic politics and freedom of expression.

One of the issues raised was the so-called “Brandmauer” strategy, a term for the refusal of established German parties to cooperate with the increasingly successful opposition AfD, which has now become the second largest party in the country according to opinion polls ahead of the German parliamentary elections on February 23. Vance has previously criticized the so-called firewall policy, saying it goes against democratic principles.


The same conference where Putin became a pariah

The Munich Security Conference has long been known for bringing together high-profile leaders. It was also here, at the 2007 conference, that Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his famous speech rejecting what he described as the “unipolar world order”, with clear warnings that the US’s growing disregard for the security interests of other countries could lead to devastating consequences in the long run.

The speech has since been described as a watershed moment as Putin would be labeled a pariah by the US-led Western bloc power establishment.

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Danish media: American agents infiltrating Greenland

Donald Trump's USA

Published yesterday 9:14
– By Editorial Staff
Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland should become American.
3 minute read

At least three Americans with ties to President Donald Trump are conducting influence operations in Greenland aimed at undermining the relationship between Denmark and Greenland.

The men are mapping Trump-friendly Greenlanders and gathering information that could be used to damage Denmark’s reputation, according to sources speaking to Danish media.

Actors with direct connections to the White House are conducting systematic attempts to infiltrate Greenlandic society. The goal is to create a pro-American independence movement and weaken ties to Denmark, reveal several anonymous sources with insight into the matter to Danish public broadcaster DR.

One of the men, who has often been seen publicly with President Trump and recently received a role with influence over US security policy, landed earlier this year in snow-covered Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, with a clear mission. He established lists of both Trump sympathizers and opponents among Greenlandic citizens, it is reported.

At the same time, he is said to have collected material about controversial Danish affairs – such as forced removals of Greenlandic children and the so-called spiral affair where Danish doctors inserted contraceptives into Greenlandic women without consent.

— What we see is the use of soft power, influence and attempts to create internal division, says a source to the channel.

Danish security service confirms influence campaigns

Both Danish authorities and the country’s government are now closely monitoring the Americans’ movements on the Arctic island. Two of the men, both with backgrounds in the Trump administration, have regularly traveled between the US and Greenland in recent years to build networks among politicians and businessmen.

— We are all worried about this. Of course we are, confirms a government source.

The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) also confirms that Greenland is being subjected to influence campaigns and that they are in “ongoing and close dialogue with the Greenlandic authorities about developments in the threat picture”.

According to PET’s assessment, the campaigns aim to “create division in the relationship between Greenland and Denmark” by exploiting real or fabricated conflicts.

American strategy in three phases

Sources within the government describe the Trump administration’s Greenland strategy as divided into three distinct phases since the president declared in December 2024 that American “ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity”.

First came the charm offensive, symbolized by Donald Trump Jr.’s high-profile visit to Nuuk in January. This was followed by pressure on Denmark, when Vice President J.D. Vance visited the American Pituffik base in March and accused Denmark of betraying the Greenlanders. Now the strategy is in its third phase according to sources: infiltration of Greenlandic society.

One source warns that the summer’s calmer activity may be misleading:

— Perhaps what we are experiencing right now is the calm before the storm. And perhaps the fewer activities in Greenland are an expression that professional institutions have begun to operate, which they will be better at hiding, he speculates.

Concerns were heightened after the Wall Street Journal’s reporting in May that American intelligence services had been ordered to intensify espionage in Greenland, focusing on the independence movement and mapping Trump sympathizers.

Sensitive for Denmark

The American activities also place Danish power holders in a delicate position. While they want to alert Greenlanders to the influence attempts and prevent them, they are simultaneously concerned for political reasons about not being perceived as interfering in Greenland’s internal affairs.

— Greenlanders are welcome to work for independence, and the US is welcome to invest and work for stronger ties to Greenland, explains one source, but emphasizes that there are limits that must not be crossed.

— No one is allowed to spy – not even the Americans.

The White House has declined to comment on the allegations from Danish media, and the US embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark refers to the fact that “the American government does not control or direct the actions of private citizens” and that they “respect the Greenlandic people’s right to determine their own future”.

Trump threatens new tariffs in retaliation for “discriminatory” tech taxes

Donald Trump's USA

Published 26 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
President Trump defends Meta, Google and Amazon against foreign taxes and threatens US countermeasures.
2 minute read

Donald Trump warns of new tariffs and export controls against countries that he claims “discriminate” against American tech giants. The statement could escalate trade conflicts with both the United Kingdom and the EU.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday evening, the president launched a harsh attack against “digital taxes, legislation, rules or regulations” and claimed that as president he intends to defend American companies against what he described as malicious attacks.

“As the President of the United States, I will stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies. Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation and Digital Markets Regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology”, Trump wrote.

“They also, outrageously, give a complete pass to China’s largest Tech Companies. This must end, and end NOW!” he continued.

True to form, Trump uses his own social media platform to tell the world about his plans. Photo: facsimile/Donald Trump/Truth Social

According to analysts, the statement risks further deteriorating trade relations between the US, the United Kingdom and the EU.

“Flagrant attack”

Washington has long criticized the UK’s digital services tax, which despite American criticism was retained after an agreement with Trump’s previous administration. The US has also directed harsh criticism at the EU’s Digital Services Act, which places higher demands on large tech companies to control content on their platforms.

Several EU countries, including France, Italy and Spain, have had their own taxes of similar nature since before, reports Financial Times.

In June, Canada chose to scrap its digital services tax to pave the way for trade negotiations with the US. Trump had previously described the tax as a “direct and flagrant” attack. The British also considered changes to their tax, but ultimately managed to reach a trade agreement without making changes.

In the UK’s case, the tax is 2 percent and applies to companies like Alphabet, Meta and Amazon. It affects companies with global revenues over £500 million and is levied on parts of turnover exceeding £25 million in the country.

Nvidia and AMD to pay 15 percent of China revenues to US

Donald Trump's USA

Published 13 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, holds up an AMD Zen 5 chip during the presentation of next-generation processors at Computex 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.
2 minute read

American semiconductor manufacturers Nvidia and AMD have agreed to pay 15 percent of their revenues from chip sales in China to the US government. The arrangement is the condition for obtaining export licenses under President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to sources familiar with the situation, including a US government official, both companies approved the financial arrangement to obtain export licenses for the Chinese market, which were granted last week.

The American official stated that Nvidia agreed to share 15 percent of revenues from H20 chip sales in China, while AMD will provide the same percentage from MI308 chip revenues. The Trump administration has not yet decided how the money will be used, reports Financial Times.

Never seen before

According to export control experts, this is the first time ever that an American company has agreed to pay a portion of its revenues to obtain export licenses. However, the arrangement fits into a pattern under the Trump administration where the president urges companies to take actions, such as domestic investments, to avoid tariffs.

The Commerce Department began issuing H20 export licenses on Friday, two days after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with President Trump. The administration has also begun issuing licenses for AMD’s chips to China.

Nvidia did not deny the arrangement and said: “We follow rules the US government sets for our participation in worldwide markets”. AMD commented: “Our initial licence applications have been approved” and added that the company “adhere to all US export control laws and policies”.

Criticism from security experts

The decision to sell the chips to China has drawn criticism from American security experts who argue that the H20 chip will help the Chinese military and undermine US strength in artificial intelligence.

— Beijing must be gloating to see Washington turn export licences into revenue streams, says Liza Tobin, a China expert who served on the National Security Council during Trump’s first administration.

In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Matt Pottinger, former deputy national security advisor, and 19 other security experts warned against granting H20 licenses. They called the H20 a “potent accelerator of China’s frontier AI capabilities”.

Nvidia dismissed the criticism as “misdirected” and rejected that China could use the H20 for military purposes.

The debate comes as the US and China hold trade talks that Trump hopes will pave the way for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump deploys National Guard to “liberate” Washington

Donald Trump's USA

Published 12 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
President Trump announces that 800 National Guard soldiers will initially be deployed to combat crime and restore order in Washington, DC.
4 minute read

At a press conference on Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a massive operation to combat crime in Washington, DC.

As part of the measures, the city’s police will be placed under federal control, and hundreds of National Guard soldiers will patrol the streets to make the city safer. Trump simultaneously warned that New York could be next for similar measures.

— I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor – and worse. This is liberation day in DC and we’re going to take our capital back, Trump said during a press conference at the White House.

The president expressed frustration over what he described as the growing crime in the city.

— Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, Trump said and continued: “And we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it”.

Trump noted that the operations would begin quickly, in the same way as the measures taken at the southern border to stop illegal immigration. “We’re going to clean it up real quick, like we did on the southern border”, he clarified.

“Will be tough”

According to US legislation, the Home Rule Act of 1973, the president has the right to take control of Washington’s police force for up to 30 days, with the possibility for Congress to extend the measures. The Trump administration has sent documents formalizing the takeover to Congress, and later in the day, DC’s police chief and other federal officials met to discuss next steps.

— This will be an opportunity for us to come together and collaborate on being able to go out and execute warrants, said MPD Police Chief Pamela Smith.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified in an interview that the National Guard will not just be present but will act proactively in their operation.

— They will be strong, they will be tough and they will stand with their law enforcement partners., Hegseth said, adding: “If you take an action or a shot at them, there will be a consequence”.

“Doubled up on Baghdad”

Trump defended his decision and showed a chart during the press conference comparing murder statistics per capita in Washington, DC with the capitals of cocaine-exporting Colombia, Mexico and Iraq.

— We doubled up on Baghdad, he claimed, describing the situation as “completely unacceptable”.

— They’ll immediately begin massive enforcement operations targeting known gangs, drug dealers and criminal networks to get them the hell off the street, Trump said. He also suggested that certain criminals, whom he claimed came to the US illegally, will be deported.

Photo: screenshot/Truth Social/Trump

— They come from Venezuela, they come from all over the world. We’re going to get them the hell out, he explained.

The National Guard will also assist in a larger operation to remove homeless camps from public places, including parks and underpasses.

— We’re getting rid of the slums, Trump promised and mentioned that beautifying the city’s public areas and repairing median strips and potholes are part of the operation.

“False numbers”

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is a Democrat, confirmed that she will comply with the federal operations but expressed concern that Trump’s decision represents a major interference in local self-governance.

I’m going to work every day to make sure it’s not a complete disaster, Bowser said, claiming to be particularly concerned about the presence of plainclothes law enforcement personnel.

— All law enforcement be identifiable by uniform, a badge, a jacket, so that people know that they are law enforcement.

Trump addressed the criticism and responded in his way.

— I know it’s not politically correct. We’re going to get them the hell out. They won’t be here long,

New York next?

Defense Secretary Hegseth also clarified that soldiers from other states will assist in the operation.

— They will be standing right alongside our federal agents, like they were in Los Angeles. They’re going to be proactive.

Trump also mentioned that he is looking at other cities that may need similar federal operations.

— You look at Chicago, how bad it is. You look at Los Angeles, how bad it is. We have other cities that are very bad. New York has a problem, Trump said, suggesting that more cities may receive federal support if the situation doesn’t improve.

The president also took the opportunity to express his long-term visions for the city.

— Washington, DC, should be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world, and we’re going to make it that, Trump summarized and promised that he intends to “clean it up real quick”.

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