Following World War ii, Germany befriended the Unites States, and a close-knit trans-Atlantic partnership developed. But in recent years, these two countries have been drifting apart. This new reality demands a drastic change in European politics, according to former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.

Relating his experience, Guttenberg wrote on October 10 for Focus Online:

The trans-Atlantic relationship, which (metaphorically speaking) has repeatedly had to weather storms, can hardly be described with a suitable term today. The most euphoric attribute is probably “pragmatic.” Two decades ago, people still liked to talk about “friendship,” but now the connection is almost exclusively referred to as a “relationship.”

Semantic trivia? Not at all. …

I have spent a lot of time in the U.S.A. over the past 35 years and have repeatedly asked about the American view of Germany. The picture has changed significantly. Just a few years ago, our economic and innovative strength and comparatively unobtrusive global influence were viewed with (including critical) respect, but today this appreciation has given way to increasing indifference. In other words: The U.S.A. is not turning its back on Germany, but many decision-makers hardly notice us anymore.

As Guttenberg explained, this has a variety of reasons. For one, the U.S. is no longer concerned about the security in Europe and focuses instead on the Indo-Pacific region. Its overarching goal is no longer to ensure peace around the world but to secure “its own independence from crisis-ridden regions of the world.” This is partly due to the fact that the U.S. is no longer dependent on energy sources from other countries.

In addition to warning about Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Guttenberg also warned of the geopolitical consequences of a contested election:

It is also important to prepare strategically for the conceivable scenarios after the election. This includes a potential constitutional crisis in the U.S.A., triggered by legal challenges by the election losers. A politically paralyzed America could open up unimagined “playgrounds” for cynical rulers in Moscow, Tehran or Pyongyang.

All of this has consequences for Germany and Europe’s future, as Guttenberg explained:

The expectations of many top American executives are directed towards a Germany that can overcome decades of reform backlog, take on leadership responsibility in and for Europe, and confidently formulate its interests.

“Better a strong, if necessary controversial, partner than a constantly nagging freeloader,” a Democratic senator recently told me in view of the ongoing wrangling about the fulfillment of our nato commitments. He didn’t even expect a complete alignment of interests but at least a clear stance. Diplomacy and clear messages don’t have to be at odds. The latter aligns with the American mentality and is appreciated and understood not only in the White House.

Out of necessity and desire, Germany will, in the future, stand more independently from the U.S. This will have practical consequences that will reshape Europe and the world. Militarily, Guttenberg expects Germany and Europe will have to do more in the future:

In terms of foreign and security policy, the pressure on alliance partners to contribute significantly more to the defense capability will increase (also under [Kamala] Harris, by the way). The target of 2 percent of gross domestic product for defense spending has now been painstakingly achieved—using political tricks. There is already talk of 3 percent in Republican and Democratic circles.

Let us be under no illusions: Without the U.S.A.’s loyalty to the alliance, Europe in its current military constitution would not be anywhere near capable of effectively countering an aggressor like Russia. In order to be able to cope with all eventualities, the objective of a powerful European army—embedded in the structures of nato—seems unavoidable. The same applies to the ambitious project of joint armaments efforts.

Many steps—from military schools to joint exercises—have already been taken to make the “unavoidable” a reality. However, what Europe lacks is political will. But as crises intensify and the U.S. withdraws from the geopolitical battlefields, this will come.

The creation of “a powerful European army” and the unification of Europe’s arms industry is a trend the Trumpet and its predecessor, the Plain Truth, have been watching for many decades (read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Europe’s Ongoing Unification Project”). Since 2009, we have also watched Baron zu Guttenberg as the likeliest man to take this project over the finish line (read “Is KT zu Guttenberg About to Come to Power?”, by Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry).

Step by step we are seeing the project of a European army become a reality as Guttenberg again rises in prominence. To understand the true significance of these events, however, one has to understand Bible prophecy.

Daniel 2 prophesies of four world-ruling empires that will lead to God’s intervention in world affairs. In his booklet Proof of the Bible (free upon request), the late Herbert W. Armstrong traced this prophecy’s historic fulfillment down to our day.

The depicted empires are the Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman empires. The Roman Empire was followed by the Holy Roman Empire (Revelation 17), and the German people took the lead of this empire. This final world-ruling empire will be resurrected 10 times, according to a prophecy in Daniel 7 and Revelation 13.

Daniel 2 and Revelation 17 show that the last resurrection of this empire will be a union of nations ruled over by 10 kings. This prophecy parallels another in Isaiah that refers to the leading nation of this military empire as Assyria, modern-day Germany (read Germany and the Holy Roman Empire). As prophesied, Germany today leads the European Union, which keeps the tradition of the Holy Roman Empire alive. What it lacks is a strong visionary leader.

With Germany increasingly taking the lead in Europe and the U.S. abandoning the Continent and being weakened by internal division, the final fulfillment of this astonishing prophecy is about to come to pass. To understand what this means for our day, request our free booklet Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.