Should the US match the EU NATO members funding schedule? (Poll)

[kyzr]

That's the most retarded thing you've said yet.
It amazes me the lengths you cultists would go to rationalize Trump.

So why is putting a gun to deadbeat heads wrong, besides your TDS?
If it takes Trump threats to get the deadbeats to pay up for defense that is a net positive,

From 2019:

'Trump is having an impact': NATO head credits president's tough talk for $100B boost

Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary general, said Trump is helping the alliance adapt to "a more unpredictable world."

www.usatoday.com

'Trump is having an impact': NATO head credits president's tough talk for $100B boost​

 

[JoeB131]

The US is tapped out, duh.
We can't afford to borrow to protect the EU when its time they stepped up and defended themselves.
We have the ME and China to deal with.
The status quo is becoming a new paradigm.

Except we don't really need to be in the Middle East OR China.

Japan and South Korea are wealthy enough to defend themselves from China, which isn't an aggressive power to start with.

CHina hasn't invaded anyone since 1979.

 

[JoeB131]

So why is putting a gun to deadbeat heads wrong, besides your TDS?
If it takes Trump threats to get the deadbeats to pay up for defense that is a net positive,

because
1) they aren't "deadbeats"
2) Trump's bellicose rantings had nothing to do with their increases in spending. Putin's aggression did. NATO leaders have nothing but contempt for Trump.
3) Trump is against the idea of NATO in general, which is pretty ******* dangerous.

The fact is, we've never had to defend the European Allies, but many of them came to OUR aid after 9/11. At least until Bush fucked that up and went on a crusade against Iraq that can we all finally agree was a terrible idea.

 

[kyzr]

Except we don't really need to be in the Middle East OR China.
Japan and South Korea are wealthy enough to defend themselves from China, which isn't an aggressive power to start with.
China hasn't invaded anyone since 1979.

1. True, the US is not the "world's cop", but keeping the peace from dictators like Putin takes resources.
2. Japan and SK are no match for China without the US, you can even throw Australia in (SEATO)

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

3. China is becoming more aggressive, especially with its threats to Taiwan.

The US needs to let the EU police their own back yard, letting NATO deadbeats get a free ride is stupid.

 

[kyzr]

because
1) they aren't "deadbeats"
2) Trump's bellicose rantings had nothing to do with their increases in spending. Putin's aggression did. NATO leaders have nothing but contempt for Trump.
3) Trump is against the idea of NATO in general, which is pretty ******* dangerous.

The fact is, we've never had to defend the European Allies, but many of them came to OUR aid after 9/11. At least until Bush fucked that up and went on a crusade against Iraq that can we all finally agree was a terrible idea.

1. If they aren't spending 2% on defense they are deadbeats by definition.
2. I gave you the NATO link proving that Trump got $100b more from deadbeats in 2019, it will work again in 2025.
3. I don't care if NATO leaders hate Trump, Stoltenberg loves Trump. Besides, NATO members held Biden IN CONTEMPT for his cut and run in AFG.
4. Trump can be against NATO, congress just passed a law that the US in NATO, period.
5. The fact is that the US spent/borrowed a lot of money keeping troops in the EU to protect them from the USSR from 1945-2024.
6. What exactly did our NATO allies do after 9/11 to aid the US?
7. Getting rid of Saddam and his larvae was a very good idea.

 

[JoeB131]

1. True, the US is not the "world's cop", but keeping the peace from dictators like Putin takes resources.
2. Japan and SK are no match for China without the US, you can even throw Australia in (SEATO)

We appointed ourselves the world cop after WWII.

SEATO stopped existing after South Vietnam Fell.

Japan has more than enough wealth to field a world-class military; they just refuse to do so. (Also, their constitution prohibits it.) Japan's defense spending is less than 1% of GDP. All NATO members except Luxembourg are above 1%.

South Korea spends 2.7% of GDP on defense, which sounds like a lot, but they have an active war front with North Korea and a crazy dictator up there.

Australia spends 1.9% of GDP on defense.

Incidently, China only spends 1.7% of it's GDP on the military. Of course, they have a Conscript Army they don't have to pay.

3. China is becoming more aggressive, especially with its threats to Taiwan.

Taiwan is part of China. If anything, China has been pretty restrained in not squashing them like a bug. Do you think that the US would tolerate one of our states acting like Taiwan?

The US needs to let the EU police their own back yard, letting NATO deadbeats get a free ride is stupid.

Except they aren't getting a free ride more than anyone else.

You see, the main reason why we spend so much on the military (about 4% of GDP) is because we have an all volunteer military and have to offer really generous benefits to get people to sign up. Germany spends less than 2%, they have a conscript army.

 

[JoeB131]

Son, you just went full retard.

1. If they aren't spending 2% on defense they are deadbeats by definition.

No, it just means they are spending to their needs and abilities.

2. I gave you the NATO link proving that Trump got $100b more from deadbeats in 2019, it will work again in 2025.

It had nothing to do with Trump, who they hold in utter contempt.

3. I don't care if NATO leaders hate Trump, Stoltenberg loves Trump. Besides, NATO members held Biden IN CONTEMPT for his cut and run in AFG.

The Allies wrote off Afghanistan a long time ago.

4. Trump can be against NATO, congress just passed a law that the US in NATO, period.

because we've all seen how good Trump is at obeying the law, right?

5. The fact is that the US spent/borrowed a lot of money keeping troops in the EU to protect them from the USSR from 1945-2024.

And our own economic interests. The military industrial complex is really the only thing that keeps the American economy afloat.

6. What exactly did our NATO allies do after 9/11 to aid the US?

Most of them sent troops to Afghanistan. Some even sent Troops to Iraq.

7. Getting rid of Saddam and his larvae was a very good idea.

Iraq is an Iranian Client state today. How is that better?

 

[kyzr]

We appointed ourselves the world cop after WWII.

SEATO stopped existing after South Vietnam Fell.

Japan has more than enough wealth to field a world-class military; they just refuse to do so. (Also, their constitution prohibits it.) Japan's defense spending is less than 1% of GDP. All NATO members except Luxembourg are above 1%.

South Korea spends 2.7% of GDP on defense, which sounds like a lot, but they have an active war front with North Korea and a crazy dictator up there.

Australia spends 1.9% of GDP on defense.

Incidentally, China only spends 1.7% of it's GDP on the military. Of course, they have a Conscript Army they don't have to pay.

Taiwan is part of China. If anything, China has been pretty restrained in not squashing them like a bug. Do you think that the US would tolerate one of our states acting like Taiwan? Except they aren't getting a free ride more than anyone else.

You see, the main reason why we spend so much on the military (about 4% of GDP) is because we have an all volunteer military and have to offer really generous benefits to get people to sign up. Germany spends less than 2%, they have a conscript army.

1. Taiwan thinks they are NOT part of China. The US has all of its "chips" on Taiwan remaining independent. China does NOT control Taiwan, so it is NOT part of China.

2. A conscript military are all unmotivated temps, a very poor military. The US military are generally highly trained professional military men. In a war it would be no contest.

3. We do need Japan to step up and develop a world class military, they can now afford it. They ***** a lot about China's claims...

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/asia/japan-defense-minister-kishi-china-interview-intl-hnk-ml/index.html

 

[iku]

The GDP of the EU (in euros) is around 15T, the USA around 23T, so there is no reason in the world why the EU can't pull their own weight and fund the Ukes if that's what they want to do.

I say not another dime to the Uke midget....Enough of the USA being the EU's crutch. Let them cut back on their social programs and reap the consequences of their Ukeland virtue signaling.

Well the EU External Debt reached 16,979.6 Billion USD in 2023
The USD debt is $33.17 T. The EU can borrow if they have to.

NO more money to Ukraine

 

[kyzr]

Son, you just went full retard. No, it just means they are spending to their needs and abilities.

It had nothing to do with Trump, who they hold in utter contempt. The Allies wrote off Afghanistan a long time ago.

because we've all seen how good Trump is at obeying the law, right?

And our own economic interests. The military industrial complex is really the only thing that keeps the American economy afloat.

Most of them sent troops to Afghanistan. Some even sent Troops to Iraq.

Iraq is an Iranian Client state today. How is that better?

1. Low-IQ folks like you shouldn't call others retarded.

2. NATO membership requires a 2% spend of GDP on defense. Its not that complex a concept. Deadbeats should be thrown out.

3. They do not hold Trump in contempt. They hold Biden ion contempt.

UK Parliament Holds Biden in Contempt for Afghanistan Withdrawal

The United Kingdom's Parliament on Wednesday held President Joe Biden in contempt for his withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, calling the move "catastrophic" and "shameful."

freebeacon.com

4. What part of Trump can't leave NATO don't you understand?

5. The old US military industrial complex is gone. The US doesn't even make steel any longer. The US leads in advanced weapons, AI, and raw economic power. The military budget doesn't drive the $28T US GDP.

6. Iraq is not an Iranian client state, duh. Do you even know the difference between Shia and Sunni???

 

[JoeB131]

1. Taiwan thinks they are NOT part of China. The US has all of its "chips" on Taiwan remaining independent. China does NOT control Taiwan, so it is NOT part of China.

Taiwan calls itself "The Republic of China". The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Yes, they are part of China

2. A conscript military are all unmotivated temps, a very poor military. The US military are generally highly trained professional military men. In a war it would be no contest.

Um, our "trained professionals" couldn't prevail against Afghanistan and Iraq. A couple years in, they were recruiting people like Chelsea Manning and Bowe Bergdahl.

3. We do need Japan to step up and develop a world class military, they can now afford it. They ***** a lot about China's claims...

The we probably shouldn't have imposed a constitution on them that prohibits it. The biggest problem with Japan spending more is the rest of Asia would throw a fit. They all have unhappy memories of Japanese occupation.

1. Low-IQ folks like you shouldn't call others retarded.

Then stop saying retarded stuff, Corky

2. NATO membership requires a 2% spend of GDP on defense. Its not that complex a concept. Deadbeats should be thrown out.

Where is that in the NATO charter? Thanks.

4. What part of Trump can't leave NATO don't you understand?

The part where he doesn't obey laws.

5. The old US military industrial complex is gone. The US doesn't even make steel any longer. The US leads in advanced weapons, AI, and raw economic power. The military budget doesn't drive the $28T US GDP.

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.

6. Iraq is not an Iranian client state, duh. Do you even know the difference between Shia and Sunni???

Do you?

Most Iraqis are Shi'ites...just like the Iranians.

 

[kyzr]

Taiwan calls itself "The Republic of China". The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Yes, they are part of China

Um, our "trained professionals" couldn't prevail against Afghanistan and Iraq. A couple years in, they were recruiting people like Chelsea Manning and Bowe Bergdahl.

Then we probably shouldn't have imposed a constitution on them that prohibits it. The biggest problem with Japan spending more is the rest of Asia would throw a fit. They all have unhappy memories of Japanese occupation.

Where is that in the NATO charter? Thanks.

The part where he doesn't obey laws.

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.

Do you? Most Iraqis are Shi'ites...just like the Iranians.

1. Taiwan is part of China like the US is part of Great Britain. Its not. China's "One China" policy is just wishful thinking. Xi saying Taiwan will be part of China by 2050. Then the next guy can say by 2080, etc.

Taiwan will be China’s by 2050, threatens Xi

President Xi warned Taiwan yesterday that he wants to bring it under Beijing’s control by 2050, if necessary by force. In an unyielding speech, Mr Xi abandoned decades of policy in which China asserted its right to the breakaway island while being content for the thorny relationship to be solved by

www.thetimes.co.uk

2. The US prevailed in AFG and Iraq. The Taliban are 70,000 primitives living in caves in the middle of nowhere. The AFG army of 300,000 well armed and well equipped conscripts proves my point. Unmotivated conscripts lose. The US military's "woke" policies hurt readiness. You're right that Manning should have been thrown out, and Bergdahl should be in prison, not serving.

3. Agreed to commit is a "promise". If you don't meet 2% you're a deadbeat and should be thrown out.

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49198.htm

In 2014, NATO Heads of State and Government agreed to commit 2% of their national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defence spending, to help ensure the Alliance's continued military readiness.

4. Trump can't take the US out of NATO. Remember what happened when he told Zelensy he wouldn't give approved funds unless Z announced an investigation into corruption?

5. The $28T GDP US economy does not depend on military spending.

6. So prove your assertion that: "Iraq is an Iranian Client state today."

 

[JoeB131]

1. Taiwan is part of China like the US is part of Great Britain. Its not. China's "One China" policy is just wishful thinking. Xi saying Taiwan will be part of China by 2050. Then the next guy can say by 2080, etc.

One China isn't just China's policy, it's the United States' official stance.

What Is the U.S. “One China” Policy, and Why Does it Matter?

www.csis.org

To this day, the U.S. “one China” position stands: the United States recognizes the PRC as the sole legal government of China but only acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of China. Thus, the United States maintains formal relations with the PRC and has unofficial relations with Taiwan. The “one China” policy has subsequently been reaffirmed by every new incoming U.S. administration. The existence of this understanding has enabled the preservation of stability in the Taiwan Strait, allowing both Taiwan and mainland China to pursue their extraordinary political and socioeconomic transitions in relative peace.

2. The US prevailed in AFG and Iraq. The Taliban are 70,000 primitives living in caves in the middle of nowhere. The AFG army of 300,000 well armed and well equipped conscripts proves my point. Unmotivated conscripts lose. The US military's "woke" policies hurt readiness. You're right that Manning should have been thrown out, and Bergdahl should be in prison, not serving.

Sorry, man, we got our asses kicked by two third world countries... our system doesn't work.

Actually, you miss my point; Bergdahl never should have been recruited because he got a psych discharge from the Coast Guard. Manning never should have been admitted because she has a host of issues. But because the standards were lowered they got in.

Afghanistan didn't use "conscripts" they used local militias. Local Militias that swore fealty to the Taliban, switched to our side as long as we paid them, and then switched right back when we left. Thank God Biden got us out of that mess.

3. Agreed to commit is a "promise". If you don't meet 2% you're a deadbeat and should be thrown out.

Agreed to commit to promise to try really hard, um, no, real world, that's not much of a guarantee.

4. Trump can't take the US out of NATO. Remember what happened when he told Zelensy he wouldn't give approved funds unless Z announced an investigation into corruption?

Yes, he got away with it. Trump is going into court arguing being president allows him to order Seal Team Six to murder his adversaries, and the only remedy is an impeachment he's already beaten twice. He has no fear of having to get elected to another term (assuming he doesn't cancel democracy altogether in this country) and this time, he's not going to have guys like Barr, Esper or Pence around him to keep him in check. So we can totally assume he's going to follow some law and not pull out all the troops because a NATO minister made fun of his rug.

5. The $28T GDP US economy does not depend on military spending.

I could think of many major industries that would shut down if it weren't for military exports... But you're a Republican, you people don't understand economics.

6. So prove your assertion that: "Iraq is an Iranian Client state today."

In U.S.-Led Iraq War, Iran Was the Big Winner (Published 2023)

In the 20 years since the United States invaded Iraq, Iran has built up loyal militias inside Iraq, gained deep political influence in the country and reaped economic benefits. For Washington, these were unintended consequences.

www.nytimes.com

The invasion “was the original sin,” said Emile Hokayem, a senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a British think tank. “It helped Iran bolster its position by being a predator in Iraq. It’s where Iran perfected the use of violence and militias to obtain its goals. It eroded the U.S.’s image. It led to fragmentation in the region.”

 

[kyzr]

One China isn't just China's policy, it's the United States' official stance.

To this day, the U.S. “one China” position stands: the United States recognizes the PRC as the sole legal government of China but only acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of China. Thus, the United States maintains formal relations with the PRC and has unofficial relations with Taiwan. The “one China” policy has subsequently been reaffirmed by every new incoming U.S. administration. The existence of this understanding has enabled the preservation of stability in the Taiwan Strait, allowing both Taiwan and mainland China to pursue their extraordinary political and socioeconomic transitions in relative peace.


Sorry, man, we got our asses kicked by two third world countries... our system doesn't work.
Actually, you miss my point; Bergdahl never should have been recruited because he got a psych discharge from the Coast Guard. Manning never should have been admitted because she has a host of issues. But because the standards were lowered they got in.
Afghanistan didn't use "conscripts" they used local militias. Local Militias that swore fealty to the Taliban, switched to our side as long as we paid them, and then switched right back when we left. Thank God Biden got us out of that mess.

Agreed to commit to promise to try really hard, um, no, real world, that's not much of a guarantee.

Yes, he got away with it. Trump is going into court arguing being president allows him to order Seal Team Six to murder his adversaries, and the only remedy is an impeachment he's already beaten twice. He has no fear of having to get elected to another term (assuming he doesn't cancel democracy altogether in this country) and this time, he's not going to have guys like Barr, Esper or Pence around him to keep him in check. So we can totally assume he's going to follow some law and not pull out all the troops because a NATO minister made fun of his rug.


I could think of many major industries that would shut down if it weren't for military exports... But you're a Republican, you people don't understand economics.

The invasion “was the original sin,” said Emile Hokayem, a senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a British think tank. “It helped Iran bolster its position by being a predator in Iraq. It’s where Iran perfected the use of violence and militias to obtain its goals. It eroded the U.S.’s image. It led to fragmentation in the region.”

1. Biden said that the US would defend Taiwan from an attack by China. he can't say it, but China knows it.

US cleans up Biden's 'commitment' to defend Taiwan from Chinese invasion

The Biden administration is again playing clean-up after President Joe Biden said the U.S. would come to Taiwan's defense in the event of an invasion by mainland China.

abcnews.go.com

2. AFG & VN were 20-year wars where the US never lost a battle but "lost" because we left. No wonder US recruiting is down. Too much "nation-building" instead of kicking ass and going home. Because of "woke" policies the military is 50,000 men short, no wonder so many losers like Bergdahl and trannys are still in.

3. Simple, you don't pay 2% you don't get NATO protection.

4. The US is in NATO no matter who is president. Period. Full stop. Its the law.

5. Economics? The Joint Chiefs already warned that the National Debt is the biggest threat to the US. If we don't fix that we won't have a military, or foreign aid, or Welfare, or Medicaid...

6. Having militias inside Iraq does NOT prove that Iraq is a client state of Iran.

 

[otto105]

No more money is my choice.

Weiner

 

[Kondor3]

No...

We should roughly "match" donations to Ukraine by the EU from this point forward but not exceed them...

Combined together, they're just as big and damned-near as rich as we are...

They can afford to --- and SHOULD do --- much more of the "heavy lifting" for Ukraine...

It's their front yard...

 

[JoeB131]

1. Biden said that the US would defend Taiwan from an attack by China. he can't say it, but China knows it.

He can say it, but the reality is, Taiwan is still seen as a province of China by US Policy, and the UN. Legally, it would create quite the problem if we did try to defend Taiwan, because we would essentially be interfering in China's internal affairs, something they are QUITE touchy on.

China is willing to tolerate Taiwan or Hong Kong having their own systems, but not being independent.

2. AFG & VN were 20-year wars where the US never lost a battle but "lost" because we left. No wonder US recruiting is down. Too much "nation-building" instead of kicking ass and going home. Because of "woke" policies the military is 50,000 men short, no wonder so many losers like Bergdahl and trannys are still in.

Uh, no, we lost because we couldn't achieve our objectives. That's why we lost. The whole macho "We never lost a battle" stuff is a little silly. What we couldn't do is make the governments we supported viable, because the Afghans would have RATHER been ruled by the Taliban and the Vietnamese would have rather been ruled by the Communists.

3. Simple, you don't pay 2% you don't get NATO protection.

So how does that work if you are, let's say, Luxembourg? "Well, we'll protect Germany and France, because they paid their debt, but not you."

"Um, wouldn't they have to go through Germany or France to get to us."

I can see why you Trumpers are confused, most of you couldn't find Luxembourg on a map.

4. The US is in NATO no matter who is president. Period. Full stop. Its the law.

And what we've seen is Trump ignores the law whenever it suits him. That guy did all sorts of shit that was against the law and international agreements.

5. Economics? The Joint Chiefs already warned that the National Debt is the biggest threat to the US. If we don't fix that we won't have a military, or foreign aid, or Welfare, or Medicaid...

Okay, so make the rich pay their fair share. Problem solved.

6. Having militias inside Iraq does NOT prove that Iraq is a client state of Iran.

Uh, yeah, it kind of does. Iran can do whatever the hell it likes, and they're thanked for it. Our guys can't leave the base.

 

[kyzr]

He can say it, but the reality is, Taiwan is still seen as a province of China by US Policy, and the UN. Legally, it would create quite the problem if we did try to defend Taiwan, because we would essentially be interfering in China's internal affairs, something they are QUITE touchy on.
China is willing to tolerate Taiwan or Hong Kong having their own systems, but not being independent.

Uh, no, we lost because we couldn't achieve our objectives. That's why we lost. The whole macho "We never lost a battle" stuff is a little silly. What we couldn't do is make the governments we supported viable, because the Afghans would have RATHER been ruled by the Taliban and the Vietnamese would have rather been ruled by the Communists.

So how does that work if you are, let's say, Luxembourg? "Well, we'll protect Germany and France, because they paid their debt, but not you."
"Um, wouldn't they have to go through Germany or France to get to us." I can see why you Trumpers are confused, most of you couldn't find Luxembourg on a map.

And what we've seen is Trump ignores the law whenever it suits him. That guy did all sorts of shit that was against the law and international agreements.

Okay, so make the rich pay their fair share. Problem solved.

Uh, yeah, it kind of does. Iran can do whatever the hell it likes, and they're thanked for it. Our guys can't leave the base.

1. We're selling Taiwan weapons. We are giving Taiwan cash to buy more weapons. Biden said we would defend Taiwan. QED

2. What objectives? Nation-building? True. The Taliban can have their caves. They said that AlQaeda would not be welcome back. That is a victory of sorts. AFG does not have the resources to attack the US.

3. Luxembourg can be attacked by paratroopers and taken over by Putin. Very easy.

4. Trump won't chance another impeachment where he would definitely be removed. Just won't happen, removal would be unanimous.

5. You could take every dollar from Forbes 500 richest and still only pay about half of the Debt. Then what. The corporations would be bankrupt. The stock market would be down to zero. Cutting government spending with a few tax increases would work better.
Welfare would go to the states. The Dept of Education would be dissolved and block granted to the states, etc.

6. Point being that Iran does not have significant influence in Iraq. There are "state/regional" differences, but Iran & Iraq are not on the same team.

 

[JoeB131]

See, you keep going full retard.

1. We're selling Taiwan weapons. We are giving Taiwan cash to buy more weapons. Biden said we would defend Taiwan. QED

If Taiwan were attacked, not if they declared independence. We do not recognize Taiwan as an independent country, and we don't subscribe to their delusion that they are the legitimate government of China.

2. What objectives? Nation-building? True. The Taliban can have their caves. They said that AlQaeda would not be welcome back. That is a victory of sorts. AFG does not have the resources to attack the US.

So if they said Al Qaeda won't be welcomed back, what was Zawahiri doing in Kabul when Biden had him whacked? You might have a point that Al Qaeda is no longer a threat because Obama killed Bin Laden and Biden killed Zawahiri, and you'd probably need to do a google search to identify who is running whatever is left of Al Qaeda now.

3. Luxembourg can be attacked by paratroopers and taken over by Putin. Very easy.

Wow, your rationalizations get more and more crazy, don't they? Besides the fact those paratroopers would have to violate German Airspace, airdrops are only useful if you have ground troops able to link up to them. See Operation Market Garden if you want to see an example of when that doesn't work.

4. Trump won't chance another impeachment where he would definitely be removed. Just won't happen, removal would be unanimous.

Uh, guy, he couldn't get the cowards in the Republican Party to remove him when he LITERALLY SENT A CRAZY MOB TO KILL THEM!!! Trump isn't afraid of impeachment, because there's no reason for him to be. If he isn't defeated and convicted on one of the 91 charges he currently faces, he literally has nothing to fear.

5. You could take every dollar from Forbes 500 richest and still only pay about half of the Debt. Then what. The corporations would be bankrupt. The stock market would be down to zero. Cutting government spending with a few tax increases would work better.
Welfare would go to the states. The Dept of Education would be dissolved and block granted to the states, etc.

Well, that would be half the debt gone, wouldn't it? Obviously, you don't fleece the sheep, you merely shear them, as Emperor Tiberius once observed when he fired a procounsul for overtaxing a province. You make the rich pay their fair share and OVER TIME, the debt goes down.

6. Point being that Iran does not have significant influence in Iraq. There are "state/regional" differences, but Iran & Iraq are not on the same team.

Um, actually, they are very much on the same team. We have 2500 advisors who can't leave their base, and the Iraqis want to leave. the IRGC has 125,000 troops in Iraq and Syria.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps: Powerful Group With Wide Regional Reach

IRGC, Iran's dominant military force, has its own army, navy, air force and intelligence wing

www.voanews.com

 

[Arlette]

Russia under Putin is an aggressor nation. Trump wants NATO to meet their 2% for the military.
A weakened Russia is good for world peace. Ukraine is bearing the brunt of the fighting, giving weapons is in the interest of the US and NATO.
My ***** is that the EU freeloaders always wait for the US to pay the bill.

Cause we like wars more than they do. We like it so much cause it's always somewhere else.