Account Deleted By User History teaches that when a country's banking system falters, and maybe fails, that desperation to regain equilibrium pushes leadership to take aggressive measures.  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ubs-posts-690-million-fourth-055748603.html If a country has been strong financially, has had a robust manufacturing base and a strong weapons industry, then those governing may choose to build on those strengths. Essentially, leaders prepare for war.  https://www.therussophile.org/merkel-macron-sign-france-germany-treaty-boast-of-coming-european-armyfrench-german-leaders-unite-by-signing-pact-that-to-build-common-military.html/ https://www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2019/0122/1024688-france-germany-treaty/ https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-angela-merkel-endorses-eu-military-plan/ When deprived of necessities, the strong man simply takes what he wants from someone else the strong man sees as weaker. Macron has been accused of colonizing and impoverishing Africa. Does Macron anticipate plundering the southern neighbor for its vast natural resources if the EU economy tumbles? And will Merkel turn down a good financial opportunity for Germany to partner with Macron in a profitable venture when Germany's economy weakens? http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13971103000488 Not everyone sees a threat in the plans of Macron and Merkel. Some see them as weak and unable to really join together. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-20/macron-s-tepid-treaty-shows-partnership-with-merkel-has-stalled?srnd=premium For us, it is good to be aware of tremors in other sovereign systems. We need to keep an eye on what others are scheming, so that we aren't caught unaware and unprepared if someone should place America in the crosshairs. (Note: Early on, Merkel pivoted east to China and sought to be part of the silk road monetary plans to replace the US dollar as the world's reserve currency. Macron is no friend of the US, especially under Trump. China's own economy is falling apart, forcing China to examine self-protective measures, too.  Keep an eye on the strange bedfellows who may align against America if the world's monetary systems weaken to the point of fracture. When that global economic rupture happens, war likely will follow.)