Posted on 05/02/2014 12:53:59 PM PDT by jimbo123
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made a forceful case on Friday for European members of NATO to increase their military spending, calling Russia’s intervention in Ukraine a “clarifying moment” for the alliance.
“In recent years, one of the biggest obstacles to alliance investment has been a sense that the end of the Cold War ushered in an end of history, an end to insecurity, at least in Europe, and the end of aggression by nation-states,” Mr. Hagel said in a speech at the Woodrow Wilson Center. “But Russia’s actions in Ukraine shatter that myth.”
-snip-
Mr. Hagel’s remarks added to calls in recent weeks by Mr. Obama, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Secretary of State John Kerry for NATO allies to increase their defense spending.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Unpossible. Defending ones self is racist. Let the police handle it.
The EU elites have been waiting for this moment. All the better for them that they can induce their drones in DC to sanction it.
Guy must have gone on a 12-step program. That’s the only intelligible thing I heard this maroon utter!
There's the problem right there. We spend so they don't have to.
A little late in the game for the European members of NATO to be gearing up for the war they never believed would come, isn’t it?
It is only because of the distances involved and the obvious limits on the Russians’ capability to mount a credible broad offensive, that most of the NATO countries would not be overrun in about 15 minutes’ notice.
No established logistics, no infrastructure to produce and deploy war materials, no capability of engaging in a vast mobilization of forces, and not much will to even try to undertake such an expedition in the first place.
Germany 1.4%, France 1.9%, Italy 1.5%.
Romania 0.2%.
USA 4.03%.
If they want to be real allies, fine.
If not, eff 'em.
The Economist asked, “What will America fight for?” I have to ask the same thing about the European Allies.
They would have to give up some of their social spending to have any credible military presence. The “Progressives” in the US want less military spending and more social spending.
And to TOP IT OFF, Germany, Italy and France have announced CUTS to their already measly contributions.
Exactly. Russia does not have the capacity nor inclination to invade Europe when the EU is pumping billions of dollars into the pockets of Gazprom.
Our defense industry would never allow it.
Begin rant:
It’s things like this (and many likewise braindead examples) that make me shake my head on the Russia threads and people spazzing out there.
These countries do not want to defend themselves or each other. they want their cash for their welfare programs to buy votes/power for more liberal elitism. It’s no secret.
Someone tell me why America should care. Someone tell me why as a nuclear power, we should care. We defend ourselves. Or should, Obama not withstanding. Is it wrong for these parasite places to defend themselves?
The answer is that it doesn’t really matter ultimately if it is right/wrong or not. If they refuse to spend on defense, then they DESERVE what happens to them. And no one reading this go liberal please and tell me Geneva and human rights and the rest of that crap.
We each as humans have the ‘right’ to defend our persons. That does not mean some other person cares about your ‘rights’. You only have ‘rights’ as long as you can defend them.
America has a Constitution. That is a meaningless document unless you defend it. Land an army from China/Russia on American soil, then walk up to them with a pocket constitution and say “Sorry Dong Long, We have rights and you can’t strip them. After he caps you, you don’t have a right to burial either. Best to cap him first or better yet, not let them land.
The NATO countries, with no US aid are like that person but for real. And just as that person had his ‘rights’ overruled by a Chinese soldier with an AK, so too will any person or country that chooses to depend on a collective idea with nothing behind it and no one willing to defend it.
If the Ukraine was that worried about it’s rights, it would have planned to defend them from a traditional aggressor state like Russia. If Europe was worried about the same, it too would have prepared. It too did not.
So now it’s ‘rights’ are a meaningless idea that no one will defend. And so their ‘rights’ will be taken by force. If not this year, soon. By Russia, by China, by Muslims.
It is not our ‘right’ or responsibility to care. As a republic, not an empire, it would be Imperial for our armies to interfere with their international concerns. Those are for them to deal with via their people, their govts, their militaries and their cash as they see fit.
For those that scream ‘Isolationist!” AlexJonesPaulbot and the rest, I ask where the above is in any way inconsistent with the words of the founders who warned specifically against foreign entanglements like NATO. Show me how you are smarter than they. Or sit silently with no answer worth speaking.
We have enough weaponry, energy and manpower to defend against any direct attack facing us. That other countries did not prepare is not our problem. Even childrens fables have taught this wisdom for centuries. Businesses that entangled themselves globally with said countries... it is the problem of the businesses involved and have to deal with the reality they willingly entered into. Such is the responsibility of a free capitalist life. We as a people do not believe them too big to fail. Others will form in their place and fill the need. That is how the market works.
There is no argument to be made in fact, that results in anything but the obvious. It is NOT our problem.
Now do we WANT to go involve ourselves in a war with Capt. Bhenghazi leading a purged military under insane ROEs?
And to add, before I get hit with it, Israel is us and we are Israel. They have stood in the breach for us and acted as a lightning rod. Some call it payback for WW2. I say it is because they and we are the same people. For almost 70 years we have stood as basically one. And that should never change.
Actually they are like your drunk uncle Jack. Always showing up when he needs help. Always needing help because of his own choices.
But refusing to quit drinking. It's not a problem.
Time for some tough love.
Yup. Exactly.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.