TRUMP,might trump NATO.
He's either being clever and ratcheting up the pressure for NATO countries to sub 2% GDP on defence, or cutting his nose to spite his face by compromising European and hence US security in threatening to pull the plug. Whatever else he might be, I do not think him to be stupid. Others may have different ideas...
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 1,958
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you read what trump actually said it seemed more a populist message aimed at his domestic audience, particularly the bit about not lecturing other countries "when our policemen are shooting people in the streets."
... Mr Trump said the US would only come to the aid of allies if they have "fulfilled their obligations to us".
In a preview of what he will tell convention-goers in his speech, he outlined a foreign policy strategy aimed at reducing US expenditure and involvement abroad.
....
Referring to what he said were US trade losses, Mr Trump said: "We are spending a fortune on military in order to lose $800bn. That doesn't sound very smart to me."
He also suggested he would close US bases abroad. "If we decide we have to defend the United States, we can always deploy" from American soil, he said "and it will be a lot less expensive".
From a study by the US Army, it took about 12 years of building up the logistics/basin in Kuwait to make the 2003 move into Iraq possible. I'll get the name of the study, read it back in the mid 00's.
Agreed ShotOne, however from what I can gather he said: "Look at what is happening in our country. How are we going to lecture when people are shooting policemen in cold blood?"
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Home
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't believe I agree with Trump on anything, but he has a point.
NATO is about everybody standing together as a gang for mutual support. If 90% of the members can't be bothered to pull their weight, why should the US not tell them that the deal is off?
NATO is about everybody standing together as a gang for mutual support. If 90% of the members can't be bothered to pull their weight, why should the US not tell them that the deal is off?
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,069
Received 2,938 Likes
on
1,252 Posts
Seemed a lack of mutual support for Turkey from the rest of NATO when the sh*t was hitting the fan... mind you there were enough wizzing around in the skies without anyone else getting embroiled.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
NL, NATO does not interfere in internal affairs of its members, or indeed affairs between its members.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Interesting as US Forces were poised to drive into Iraq at the outset, not 12 years later.
Pontius, the politically expedient 100 hour war, and the loss of a lot of staging rights in Saudi as we soured in relationship to each other (see among other things how Khobar Towers played into that) meant that how we were set up in 91 was not going to be replicated in 2003.
Example, PSAB was not available.
I know one of the guys who worked on that report, I think it may be available in the public domain. Will get you a link if I can.
EDIT
Here you go: On Point (It's a pretty big pdf so it may take a while to download, if you are interested. )
Example, PSAB was not available.
I know one of the guys who worked on that report, I think it may be available in the public domain. Will get you a link if I can.
EDIT
Here you go: On Point (It's a pretty big pdf so it may take a while to download, if you are interested. )
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,576
Received 426 Likes
on
225 Posts
Whatever, I'm sure he will wish to protect his personal real estate assets in UK.
Or maybe he will form a new military alliance with Scotland alone, if they hold that threatened second referendum...
Or maybe he will form a new military alliance with Scotland alone, if they hold that threatened second referendum...
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, New York, Paris, Moscow.
Posts: 3,632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,812
Received 137 Likes
on
64 Posts
Sadly, I agree with Trump on this one. If you are in NATO, you pull your share to get the massive cover the US provides.
I seem to recall Brave Belgium refusing to sell us 1,000 lb bombs for GWI, and the subsequent discovery that they had lied about their NATO War Stocks.
However, here in the USA right now, the polls are level pegging. So Trump is NOT a certainty. Keep Calm, and Carry On.
(I wish he didn't always remind me of Benito Mussolini)
I seem to recall Brave Belgium refusing to sell us 1,000 lb bombs for GWI, and the subsequent discovery that they had lied about their NATO War Stocks.
However, here in the USA right now, the polls are level pegging. So Trump is NOT a certainty. Keep Calm, and Carry On.
(I wish he didn't always remind me of Benito Mussolini)
Trump is an egomaniacal, short attention span, ignorant bigoted lunatic and represents as big a threat than any terrorist to the stability of this planet.
As flawed as Hillary is she's a FAR better choice than this moron.
As flawed as Hillary is she's a FAR better choice than this moron.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,576
Received 426 Likes
on
225 Posts