Nato members increase defence spending by $100 billion after Donald Trump called them 'delinquents'

The purpose was not to mean something to our economy. The purpose is to strengthen our presence militarily vis-a-vis Russia and China and a host of other bad guys. This was something that has need to be fixed for long time, the left knee-jerk attacked him for it, he just got it done and Nato is stronger both militarily and as cooperative partners.

 

Why would Russia care about that ? Russia has no intention of invading a major European power. If this does happen nukes will start flying. A build-up of conventional forces makes zero difference in the case of nuclear war. Simple.

Diverting funds from economic interest to military thus benefits Russia. As stated previously - war in the modern age (when it comes to superpowers) is economic - not military.

How so ?

Explained above. Building up conventional forces does little or nothing to change the nuclear equation.

You are the naive one. It is not me that is having trouble figuring out that conventional weapons are not much good in a nuclear war. NATO does little to protect nuclear nations. The NUKES protect the nuclear nation. For non nuclear nations it is different.

The "Next War" is being fought as we speak. It is the naive who do not realize this - that there is an economic war going on.

 

"Jens Stoltenberg said on Sunday that the alliance had heard Mr Trump's call for non-US members to shoulder a greater financial burden "loud and clear" and that allies are "stepping up."

In conciliatory comments apparently designed to smooth over repeated public criticism of other alliance members by the US leader, Mr Stoltenberg said member states had agreed to add $100 billion to defence budgets over the next two years."

Got it now?

 

Well let's just get rid of all our ground, air and naval forces we don't need them.

As above let's get rid of all our ground, air and naval forces then.

And since you can guaranty there will never again be a military conflict and even if by some slim chance there is it will not involve any ground, air or naval forces lets just build nukes and missiles. OH that's right we have already limited them and the left wants us to eliminate nukes.

Geez

 

I'm sorry. I can only laugh because I can't decide if you are that naïve or what.
The EU already spends three times what Russia spends. I would be happier with a story that they were planning who would supply what war material. You know like German tanks, and French airplanes.
The only reason the US spends so much is we want to be the world's policeman for some reason, so we are spread out all over the world. The EU does not seem to have those ambitions.

 

That Europeans are spending more on their collective defense?

True, they should pass a bill to defund NATO.

Good, then the US should withdraw.

Good, end the military alliance.

NATO is on the wrong side of history. WWI clearly showed entangliang alliances make war less likely but far more catastrophic when it does. In the absence of the alliance system it would have been a localised war between petty European powers past their prime.

Instead it became a war for world hegemony.

 

No action has been taken now. Read the article from the OP: they *WILL* increase spending *OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS*.

How is this not just another pledge?

 

True story

 

Good news indeed

 

Spouting mindless gibberish and feigning ignorance because you got snarky in the previous post and called me naive - and then got schooled and shown that you were the naive one - only exacerbates the foolishness and further diminishes your credibility.

It is one thing to make a mistake - this is only human. It is quite another to live in denial of a mistake that has been pointed out.

We use our ground and naval forces against nations who do not have nukes ..... DA That you could not figure this out on your own - despite me stating clearly that I was referring to nuclear states / "Major Powers" is further testament to your obtuse and disingenuous behavior.

Then you continue on with some further mindless gibberish about the left wanting to further reduce nukes ... as if this has something to do with the conversation ?

Tell you what - go reread my post - think about what I have wrote - reflect on how your own perspective was way off base - and come up with something resembling rational thought.

While your at it - you can apologize for throwing insults out "naive" when it turned out that you were the naive one.

 

They're tired of winning. Just as Trump predicted,

 

You’d still give Trump no credit. Admit it.

 

We agreed on 2 through 4. Clarification on 1 - Increases spending on defense means less money towards the real war - economic.

 

Another

BRAVO Trump

Are we bored with winning yet?


Moi

FREE Meng Wanzhou!

She has been charged and seeks extradition.
What took so long?
Blame !​

 

I've provided sufficient information to prove the recent increases were a direct result of pressure from President Trump.

You are welcome to ignore it, if it's too offensive to you to give President Trump any credit for things he has done.

 

Well, you make a good point.

The indications are they have actually put down hard dollar investment in their respective militaries, but I don't know if anyone is actually checking Purchase Orders.

 

How do we really know what Russia spends? We don't But now NATO will spend the amounts they are committed to spend. You just can't stand Trump accomplished something.

Well Google is your friend go research it. And this is to make us less spread out as NATO takes on a larger share of the burden but you complain about it.

 

Spies.

I'll just say 2 things about this comment:
1- It's a future commitment.
2- I haven't seen anything saying we are reducing our military budget or redeploying troops. So there is no evidence it does anything for the US.

 

Those are just estimates Russia can easily hide spending, they buy from themselves so cost are not even comparable.

Why are you so against NATO paying their fair share and what they have committed to but have not? You just can't stand it can you.

 

I'm not surprised to see this news received critically, its clearly a "win" for Trump. He righteously demanded this, was resoundingly criticized for doing so, doubled down and suggested pulling out of NATO and finally they've committed to boost spending. A sensible person will admit Trump prevailed, he was right to demand higher NATO defense spending, it is true the US spends a lot on NATO defense, also quite true NATO members are prosperous and technologically advanced, these are countries that can afford to contribute more to their common defense.

A few years ago, before Russia invaded Ukraine, many thought NATO was no longer needed, members deployed in Afghanistan and there was discussion of expanding its theater of operation, but generally the view was that the demise of the Soviets rendered the military organization irrelevant and obsolete. Putin's aggressive attacks on Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe, the increased interception of Russian military aircraft in NATO airspace, massive deployments near the Baltic states, naval confrontations in the Black Sea have all worried NATO's members and boosted support for the organization, which after years of neglect and insignificant funding is evidently incapable of credibly confronting a clearly more adventurous Russia. I expect Trump's military advisors have conveyed the need to improve NATO and without more of their own spending this will be difficult.

 

Action under excellent duress, as opposed to hot air.

Now, if we could just get out of NATO completely that would be cause for celebration.

 

It's more likely they are lower than claimed. Think about it.

I am not against the EU spending more.
I am against counting chickens before they hatch or counting someone else's chickens and claiming they are yours.

 

I have no reason to believe and quite the opposite in comparable spending.

Trump got the firm commitment, NATO says HE is the one who has forced their hand, at least give him some credit for doing so.

 

So what is your number?

O.K. I think it's wonderful!
Two years, huh?

 

NATO has been consistently increasing their military investment every year since they made their original pledge under Obama.