US Turn up the Heat on NATO

He's not disappointing any of his supporters as DT continues to carry out his pre-election promises...personally I think some members of NATO do need a kick up the ar$e...

The new US defence secretary has told Nato members that Washington will "moderate its commitment" to the alliance if they do not increase their spending on defence.

Would NATO be effective with less US involvement? Is this Putins wet dream?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38984947

 

[Kryten]

Two percent may be viable for northern NATO members, but countries like Italy and Portugal are going to struggle (mind you, having said that, I did read somewhere that despite having an economy that's round the U-bend, Greece maintains a 2% contribution).

I dunno, the conspiracy theorist in me things that with all this palaver about Trump's election being interefered with by the Russians, this is just another element in my theory that Donald Trump is in fact Arkady Trumpovitch, KGB sleeper agent - and that very soon he will reveal himself to the world whilst laughing maniacally...

 

[E E E E E E E E AR]

I dunno, the conspiracy theorist in me things that with all this palaver about Trump's election being interefered with by the Russians, this is just another element in my theory that Donald Trump is in fact Arkady Trumpovitch, KGB sleeper agent - and that very soon he will reveal himself to the world whilst laughing maniacally...

I don't know if this is just business as usual, which we don't normally hear about, but Russia certainly seem emboldened at the mo. Also, neighbouring countries don't seem too happy.

Russian Spy Ship 30 Miles from Connecticut US Navy Sub Base

Russian aircraft buzzed US Navy ship 3 times in a day

Russia issues warning to NATO after military tests conducted in Black Sea

Finland stops Russians buying land near military sites amid invasion fears

 

[ninjarabbi]

I agree with Trump. I also agree with Kryten that the smaller, or perhaps I should say 'poorly financially managed' countries shouldn't have to reach this target but as he rightly points out; Greece still pays its way despite being a basket case financially. Germany especially seems to pay the least, 1.38 % according to The Times and France also doesn't pay its way.

IMHO if those naughty Russkies did take a stroll into the West, America would of course come to our aid. Trump is just doing exactly what he said he would and perhaps trying to focus the minds of the politicians in Europe to honour the conventions they signed up to.

 

[Fu Fu Valve]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]"mind you, having said that, I did read somewhere that despite having an economy that's round the U-bend, Greece maintains a 2% contribution"[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Probably because 2% of feck all isn't really alot - and it pays it with the money the EU (Germany) gives it. [/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]With a bit of creative accounting Germany could probably offset this against it's own NATO expenditure and claim it meets the 2%[/FONT]

 

[E E E E E E E E AR]

IMHO if those naughty Russkies did take a stroll into the West, America would of course come to our aid.

No-one's stopped them in The Crimea / Ukraine yet. How far west do they need to keep nudging? What do the US gain from helping us, over their (possible) new mates?

Probably because 2% of feck all isn't really alot.

It's feck all. DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[Talk Wrench]

No-one's stopped them in The Crimea / Ukraine yet. How far west do they need to keep nudging :

How far east will the expansionist EU keep nudging?

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[E E E E E E E E AR]

How far east will the expansionist EU keep nudging?

I didn't realise the EU had ever annexed anywhere with military force? In fact, I didn't realise they even had a military force?

 

[Talk Wrench]

I didn't realise the EU had ever annexed anywhere with military force? In fact, I didn't realise they even had a military force?

Where did I insinuate that EU expansion had involved military force?

The point being though, is just how far can the EU keep on poking the Bear?

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[Barch]

Where did I insinuate that EU expansion had involved military force?

The point being though, is just how far can the EU keep on poking the Bear?

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It wouldn't take much spouting at the Russians by the Fourth Reich to get the gas pipe switched off.

 

[Witty_Banter]

I didn't realise the EU had ever annexed anywhere with military force? In fact, I didn't realise they even had a military force?

Well, there's the whole 'EU Army' that the Germans have been pushing for recently...

No-one's stopped them in The Crimea / Ukraine yet.

Wasn't this at the request of those living in Crimea, who didn't want to be part of Ukraine? I know it's not PC to say so, but shouldn't an area's 'ownership' be decided by the people who live in that area? (you can read Brexit / iScotland into that if you like)

How far east will the expansionist EU keep nudging?

Also a good point - the EU has continuously expanded, swallowing bordering nations for decades. Should Russia be concerned that this political continent now wants it's own army?

 

[PerArdonAdPollo]

Where did I insinuate that EU expansion had involved military force?

Apples and Oranges then?