Final Word from Thursday, June 26, 2025
Defense lobbyist Petr Kolář, an adviser to Pres. Petr Pavel, said at the Václav Havel Library two weeks ago that the administration of Donald Trump is an "idiocracy" and that this is only possible because Trump is an idiot. Pavel has used similarly harsh language in the past to describe Trump but said at the Munich Security Conference in Feb. that he prefers to see the glass as being half-full. The approach Trump is taking, whether it's a cold shower or a shakedown, is a positive development for Europe, Pavel said. And then yesterday, after having had a nice dinner at the head table with the king of the Netherlands, Trump and others, Pavel said that Trump might have shocked Nato members with his demand of 5% defense spending but that the pressure, given the current situation, was absolutely appropriate. Pavel, it seems, has gradually evolved from being a disciple of Petr Kolář who despises everything about Trump to being someone who gets shaken down by him and then thanks him for it. [ Czech Republic Colt CZ The Hague summit United States ]
Glossary of difficult words
to win someone over - to persuade someone to accept and support something (such as an idea) after opposing it;
shakedown - an act of swindling someone or extorting money;
cold shower - a surprisingly chilly reception, reaction or response;
disciple - a follower or pupil of a teacher, leader or philosopher;
to despise - to feel contempt or a deep repugnance for;
to shake someone down - to extort money from someone.