The whole issue is Russia being scared that Ukraine would join NATO. That’s how much Russia is afraid of NATO.
Who cares if participants in a treaty do not hold up their end of the bargain?
It’s not a part of the treaty. They only came up with the guideline in 2014.
Not really.
Then we should use our own military to protect ourselves, not a bunch of Euros who think the military isn't necessary.
Parse the agreement anyway you like, Otto but the fact was that our European allies weren't spending as much as they should have been on defense assuming we'd be there for them if there was a problem. Trump called them on that and made it clear we expected them to live up to their part of NATO defense spending which they started to do.
It was a huge part of their reason. Putin even said so when he laid out his terms before invading.
If all you want to do is defend the nation, we need about 10% of the actual military budget.
Because the US taxpayer had to pay more to have a military strong enough to defend Europe as well as live up to our other commitments around the globe...while European tax payers could spend that money on OTHER things!
Sure, got a link to confirm.
No we didn’t. We paid more because Republicans are obsessed with military spending.
Oh.
I agree with that in principle. I don't what the exact percentage is, and I suspect the 10% figure was pulled from someones backside, but yes. We don't need this massive world-policing military.
Then we should cut the other NATO countries loose forthwith, wouldn't you agree?
Both are tiny members of NATO who do not pull their own weight.
You need a link for that? How do you not know that it was happening?
The US has been stuck footing the bill for things like NATO and the UN for decades, Marener! We've paid far more than we should have because we've had Presidents who wouldn't hold our allies feet to the fire and demand that they do the right thing.
I mean, if you want to play that game, you can. But it’s pretty self evident to me. Putin isn’t ever going to invade a NATO nation.
Yeah, I pulled it from my backside. Just making a point. We don’t need aircraft carriers. We don’t need amphibious landing vehicles. We need some tanks, some fighters and half a dozen ballistic subs.
That’s what Putin is hoping for.
What units? Talking out of your ass again?
We have a base there you idiot..
Is that a good thing, or doesn't matter?
Yes, cut military spending by all means. If our military, with all its expensive hardwar, is stopped by politicians from defending our southern border, why should we pony up so much money to defend France?
So, what if he is?
Then have every NATO nation spend 1%, instead of 2%.
The spending guideline only came about in 2014. We didn’t spend because of NATO. We spent a lot because Bush invaded a bunch of countries and made a huge mess.
Fort Knox is an Army base in Kentucky. Know how many active duty combat units are stationed there? Zero!
Who cares. Attack Iceland and you now are at war with the US, fucktard.
