Michael Hollister

Michael Hollister

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the Idea of an “Arab NATO Light”

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the Idea of an "Arab NATO Light" * The new Saudi–Pakistan defense pact may be more than a bilateral agreement: it hints at the emergence of an “Arab NATO light” combining military deterrence, nuclear guarantees and regional power alignment. An analysis of shifting security architectures in the Middle East — and their global implications.

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: How Brussels’ ‘Media Freedom’ Act Destroys Press Protection

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: How Brussels' 'Media Freedom' Act Destroys Press Protection * The EU’s Media Freedom Act presents itself as a safeguard for journalists – yet in reality it enables surveillance, source exposure and state intrusion. Behind its democratic façade emerges a tool that weakens press freedom and quietly prepares the ground for authoritarian control.

EDIP: How the EU is Converting Europe into a War Economy

EDIP: How the EU is Converting Europe into a War Economy * While civilian industries collapse and social budgets are slashed, Europe is undergoing a massive military transformation. The EU's €150 billion European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) isn't just about defense—it's the blueprint for converting Europe's economy from peacetime production to permanent war footing. This investigation reveals how think tank strategies, corporate profits, and geopolitical maneuvering are reshaping the continent into a militarized economic zone designed to bind Russia while the US pivots to China.

Afghanistan: Trump’s Bagram Move and the New Great Game

Afghanistan: The Dangerous Comeback of the Great Game
Donald Trump wants Bagram Air Base back – the Taliban categorically refuse. What sounds like another chapter in the endless Afghanistan conflict could be the prelude to a new geopolitical escalation. Because Afghanistan was never just Afghanistan: It's China's resource reservoir, Russia's security zone, Pakistan's strategic depth, and Iran's gateway to Central Asia.
While the great powers pursue their interests, the country threatens to become a pawn once again – with fatal consequences for 40 million people. China is buying its way in economically, Russia provides the Taliban with diplomatic backing, Pakistan plays a dangerous double game, and the West still believes in military solutions.

Trump, Russia, Anchorage and €197 Billion: A Brilliant Geopolitical Gambit

€197 billion in frozen Russian assets are sitting in Europe — officially reserved for Ukraine, potentially the key to a far bigger geopolitical deal. Trump could force Europe to pay for the war, reintegrate Russia economically into the U.S. orbit and free American power to confront China. This scenario sounds speculative — but it follows the historical logic of U.S. power politics with eerie precision.

2.032 words * 11 minutes readingtime

Arming Into Decline: Why Germany and the EU Are Investing in War

While Germany's economy is collapsing, the state is quietly converting the economy into a war-production model. Tanks, ammunition and military budgets are replacing traditional growth engines — rearmament has become a state-approved economic program. This article argues that this is not about defense, but about a deliberate shift toward a war economy that only works if real conflict persists.

2.574 words * 14 minutes readingtime

The Forbidden Alliance: Why Germany and Russia Must Not Be Partners

A German-Russian alliance would offer enormous economic, technological and geopolitical advantages — yet Berlin has chosen the exact opposite path for decades. Why does Germany act against its own national interests while aligning with Washington’s strategic goals? This article traces that course back to the long-standing U.S. doctrine of preventing a Berlin-Moscow axis.

1.035 words * 5 minutes readingtime