Posted on May 31, 2015
Did you know that the United States is bound by treaties to defend a quarter of humanity?
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The United States is bound by a number of treaties that could, in theory, force it to get involved in a war if an ally is attacked. Consider, for example, the situation in Ukraine, a non-member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. If a NATO ally were to find itself under similar threat from Russia, the U.S. may find itself duty bound to war.
Or alternatively, cast your mind to the South China Sea and its territorial disputes. If China were to engage militarily with the Philippines at some point in the near future, the U.S. may well be expected to step in to protect its ally: Since 1951, the U.S. and the Philippines have had a bilateral agreement for mutual defense.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/05/30/map-the-u-s-is-bound-by-treaties-to-defend-a-quarter-of-humanity/?tid=pm_world_pop_b
Or alternatively, cast your mind to the South China Sea and its territorial disputes. If China were to engage militarily with the Philippines at some point in the near future, the U.S. may well be expected to step in to protect its ally: Since 1951, the U.S. and the Philippines have had a bilateral agreement for mutual defense.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/05/30/map-the-u-s-is-bound-by-treaties-to-defend-a-quarter-of-humanity/?tid=pm_world_pop_b
International Affairs
Allies
Warfare
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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I believe some people in our history would call those 'entangling alliances.'
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1LT William Clardy
Some people living today do use that same phrase to describe them, Capt Richard I P..
My favorite whipping boy in that regard is NATO, which has evolved into an EU-centric para-imperial alliance which is persistently trying to annex Russia's strategic buffer zone.
My favorite whipping boy in that regard is NATO, which has evolved into an EU-centric para-imperial alliance which is persistently trying to annex Russia's strategic buffer zone.
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The better question is will the United States honor those treaties. Both our friends and our enemies are weighing the odds on that right now.
I think we have already been measured and found lacking.
And that is why our rivals are acting so aggressively right now.
I think we have already been measured and found lacking.
And that is why our rivals are acting so aggressively right now.
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1LT William Clardy
1SG (Join to see), there is also a significant question as to how likely any particular treaty is to be invoked.
For example, during the entire history of NATO, the only wars actually fought within NATO territory were between NATO members (Turkey and Greece).
Then there is ANZUS -- what is the likelihood within the next decade that we'll be asked to assist in the military defense of the other members? Against what threat?
For example, during the entire history of NATO, the only wars actually fought within NATO territory were between NATO members (Turkey and Greece).
Then there is ANZUS -- what is the likelihood within the next decade that we'll be asked to assist in the military defense of the other members? Against what threat?
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1SG (Join to see)
1LT William Clardy, I think the most likely treaty to be invoked involves the Baltic States. Russia does not seem content with swallowing Crimea and has initiated shenanigans in Moldavia as well. I predict that they will insist on some form of land access to Kaliningrad (a chunk of East Prussia annexed after WWII).
Issues in the South China Sea make for interesting times for Taiwan and the Philippines.
I don't think the issue is that we have treaties, but rather that the US's integrity is in question.
Issues in the South China Sea make for interesting times for Taiwan and the Philippines.
I don't think the issue is that we have treaties, but rather that the US's integrity is in question.
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