Posted on Dec 4, 2019
Trump abruptly cancels NATO news conference after tense exchanges with world leaders
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Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 17
Let them melt. They want to be dependent on our aid, our favorable trading terms, and stay under our defense umbrella, they can find some basic manners. They want handouts, and want to sneer at the hand giving them things.
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Maj John Bell
SSgt Ray Stone - It's rather funny that you believe disappointment in our NATO allies and their lukewarm commitment to their own defense is new. It was a topic of discussion when I was at USNA, TBS, AWS, MSG Bn, and on a Med float with the 24th MEU.
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Maj John Bell
SSgt Ray Stone - I believe our allies too. If they don't think their own self defense is worth 2% of their GDP, why should we contribute a higher per cent than they do? I say we match their weighted aggregate GDP, not a penny more. Because of the size of our economy we will still be contributing far more than most of them combined.
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It is fair to point out many NATO members have been underspending. That is why there was the 2% goal set in 2014 as Obama saw it as a issue as well. Since then countries have been steadily increasing their spending.
Having said that, no one “owes” any money to anyone. This isn’t an alliance where member countries pay each other or the organization. We just agree to maintain a certain level of military spending.
This alliance has been highly beneficial to us. We’ve had extremely steady and safe trading partners for over 70 years. That has gone a long way to driving our economy to the powerhouse it has become with our associated standard of living. Not to mention only one country has ever evoked Article 5, and that’s us after 9/11. When we were attacked, they answered the call.
So fair to point out some members had been shirking. Not fair to say they owe money or that we don’t get substantial benefit.
Having said that, no one “owes” any money to anyone. This isn’t an alliance where member countries pay each other or the organization. We just agree to maintain a certain level of military spending.
This alliance has been highly beneficial to us. We’ve had extremely steady and safe trading partners for over 70 years. That has gone a long way to driving our economy to the powerhouse it has become with our associated standard of living. Not to mention only one country has ever evoked Article 5, and that’s us after 9/11. When we were attacked, they answered the call.
So fair to point out some members had been shirking. Not fair to say they owe money or that we don’t get substantial benefit.
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