Fresh thinking is required indeed. I agree with your ideas to reduce risks.

What I miss however in the discussions on NATO-Russia relations is the lack of strategic thinking. Which hampers finding solutions on the operational level.

On the strategic level Russia and Europe are potentially ideal partners. Russia the raw materials and Europe food en commercial products. The US would also benefit if it would join such a partnership.

Important factor is also that the populations of Europe and Russia are declining.

All three parties are faced with middle-east countries which seem to be at war and in chaos forever. Exporting refugees and islam terror.

On the strategic level there is ample reason for the US, Europe and Russia to work closer together.

That does not mean that there are currently not several issues of conflict.

A chess player always tries to understand his opponent.

If I were Russian I would see that: the NATO/the EU moved ever closer to its border, Russai runned the risk of the Krim becoming a NATO base, Ukraine is being drawn into the EU, in Syria the West wanted to oust Bashir al-Assad overlooking that Russia has a longtime relations with Syria. On top of that I heard mr. Obama irretate Russia by claiming it is just a regional power.

So I am not surprised that lately we have again Russian bombers patrolling over the North Sea ( that is 150 km from my home) and Russian missiles close to Berlin.

Countries have to protect their territory but I am not convinced that the west is on the right track.

I truly hope that mr. Trump, as a successful business man, will provide the fresh thinking needed to achieve better solutions for us all.





