Germany, a nation often lauded for its economic strength and political influence within Europe, may not be as free and independent as it seems. Two provocative books—Peter Orzechowski’s “Besatzungszone: Wie und warum die USA noch immer Deutschland kontrollieren” and Bruno Bandulet’s “Beuteland: Die systematische Plünderung Deutschlands seit 1945”—unveil the shadowy forces and historical machinations that suggest Germany’s sovereignty is more fiction than fact. This is not just about history; it connects directly to the present, influencing events as recent as the Volkswagen crisis and Germany’s disastrous energy policies.
The Hidden Occupation: Germany as a U.S. Protectorate
Peter Orzechowski argues convincingly in “Besatzungszone” that Germany remains under U.S. control through various mechanisms established post-World War II, persisting even today. Although the physical occupation ended, the influence did not. The remnants of the occupation policies, embedded in treaties, military bases, and economic dependencies, continue to keep Germany within the U.S. sphere of influence. The book highlights how U.S. intelligence agencies, particularly the NSA, have turned Germany into one of the most surveilled nations in Europe. This surveillance goes beyond counterterrorism; it’s about maintaining a strategic grip on Germany’s political and economic machinery.
Take Volkswagen, for instance. The Dieselgate scandal, which erupted in 2015, is often seen as an environmental and corporate governance disaster. However, Orzechowski would argue that it also served a broader strategic purpose. The scandal weakened one of Germany’s industrial giants, allowing the U.S. to assert pressure not only on Volkswagen but also on Germany’s entire automotive sector. Fast forward to today, and Volkswagen’s struggle to cut costs, leading to the potential closure of plants, is not just a business decision. It’s a symptom of deeper vulnerabilities within German industry, exacerbated by years of external pressures and internal mismanagement.
According to a recent Bloomberg article, Volkswagen’s failure to achieve cost-cutting goals has led the company to consider closing some plants in Germany. This situation is not isolated but rather the outcome of ongoing economic strangulation, partly orchestrated by external forces that have kept Germany from truly leveraging its industrial potential. The U.S. pressure on Germany to abandon Russian gas in favor of more expensive American LNG is another glaring example. This shift is not only economically disadvantageous but also binds Germany further into the U.S. orbit, preventing it from pursuing an independent energy policy that could strengthen its position in Europe and beyond.
Chaos by Design: Who Benefits?
Bruno Bandulet’s “Beuteland“ complements Orzechowski’s thesis by detailing how Germany has been systematically exploited by the victorious powers since 1945. Bandulet presents a disturbing account of how Germany, despite its apparent recovery, has been bled dry through reparations, intellectual property theft, and economic manipulation.
One of the most striking arguments in “Beuteland” is that Germany’s post-war recovery and subsequent prosperity have not been organic but rather managed in a way that ensures the country remains a compliant player within the Western alliance. Bandulet exposes how the Morgenthau Plan, initially conceived to deindustrialize Germany, was modified but never entirely abandoned. The plan’s essence persisted through the stripping of Germany’s intellectual and industrial assets, making it clear that the so-called “economic miracle” was heavily taxed by the victors.
The chapter “Dass gewollte Chaos” in Orzechowski’s book delves into how this chaos is not accidental but orchestrated. The mass migration crises, the economic policies that seem to undermine Germany’s energy security, and the social unrest are not mere consequences of poor governance but part of a broader strategy. The chaos serves to keep Germany from becoming too powerful or too independent. By maintaining a certain level of instability, external forces ensure that Germany remains dependent on the U.S. for security and economic guidance. This chaos profits not only foreign powers but also a domestic elite that benefits from maintaining the status quo, regardless of the broader consequences for German society.
The Volkswagen Crisis and Energy Dependency
Volkswagen’s current predicament, as reported by Bloomberg, is not just about a company struggling with internal inefficiencies. It is a symbol of how Germany’s industrial backbone is being systematically weakened. The cost-cutting failures and potential plant closures reflect a broader malaise within the German economy, driven by external pressures and internal decisions that prioritize short-term compliance over long-term independence.
The forced transition from Russian gas to American LNG is another layer of this complex web of control. Germany’s energy crisis, exacerbated by the shutdown of nuclear plants and over-reliance on unreliable renewable energy sources, has left the country vulnerable. The push towards U.S. LNG, despite its higher cost, is a stark example of how Germany’s policies are being dictated not by national interest but by external pressures.
This energy dependency is not just an economic issue; it is a strategic one. By keeping Germany reliant on American energy, the U.S. ensures that Germany cannot pursue an independent foreign policy that might lean towards Russia or China. This dependency also keeps Germany from fully utilizing its industrial potential, as energy costs and supply insecurities hinder long-term planning and investment.
The Illusion of Sovereignty
Germany, for all its economic might and political influence, remains under a form of occupation, not through military presence but through economic, political, and strategic control. The insights from “Besatzungszone” and “Beuteland” reveal a disturbing reality: Germany’s sovereignty is, at best, incomplete. The Volkswagen crisis and the ongoing energy debacle are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a deeper issue—a nation that is still, in many ways, under the control of external powers.
This is a narrative that challenges the conventional understanding of post-war Europe and the supposed independence of its nations. It suggests that Germany’s role as a leading power in Europe is more constrained than most realize, shaped by forces that operate behind the scenes to ensure that the status quo is maintained. The question is not just whether Germany is still occupied, but whether it ever truly escaped the control imposed on it after World War II.
For those who value true sovereignty and independence, this is a wake-up call. Germany’s future depends on recognizing and confronting these hidden influences, reclaiming its place as a truly independent nation capable of making decisions based on its own interests, rather than those of a distant superpower.
