One year on, I remember having got a panic attack when in the center of my city, just after an appointment to my dermatologist. The annual Munich Security Conference had its decisive moment when US Vice President J.D. Vance addressed the Europeans in a special way, admonishing. For democracy’s sake, as a, element of uncertainty, a security threat.

It was two weeks before the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on 28 February 2025, had come to the White House and was treated in a way, not only by President Donald Trump but also by Vance, nobody had ever experienced coming as an alleged ally of the United States. And later he was complimented out of the White House.

Another panic attack. A week later, I called friends at the German Bundeswehr, asking as reserve officer Medical Corps, whether I could possible join homeland security. Apparently, I was ineligible. Too old, older than 65.

Vance’s speech at the MSC and selected reactions have recently been published by the organizers. I read it with interest (once more), as it was given just a couple of weeks after Donald J. Trump’s inauguration for a second term.

In the meantime, we all could get an idea of what is considered the emergence of a new world order. The new administration’s National Security Strategy and National Defence Strategy were published. Random tariff wars as a way of coercion. The ongoing flirtation with Russia’s Putin. The Greenland Crisis. The kidnapping of Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro. Fantasies about the future of Gaza without taking the people of Gaza into account.

And numerous times violations of the 1st Amendment, insulting female reporters at White House press briefings. Even kicking out and banning unwelcome news outlets. ICE, you name it.

The USA on a strange way, something which Europeans had experienced a century ago.

Panic again? I tried to keep track of this, see here, here, and here.

12 February 2026 @ 10:38 UTC+1.

Last modified February 12, 2026.