Michael Hollister

Michael Hollister

  • Joined: 20. October 2025
  • Articles: 8

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