Posted on 02/15/2017 9:41:56 AM PST by Mariner
BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday issued a sharp ultimatum to NATO Wednesday, telling allies they must start increasing defense spending by year's end or the Trump administration will "moderate its commitment" to them.
He did not detail what the United States might do if NATO members failed to fall in line.
Echoing a demand made repeatedly by President Donald Trump, Mattis said NATO must adopt a plan this year that sets milestone dates for governments to meet a military funding goal of 2 percent of gross domestic product.
The Pentagon chief called it a "fair demand" based on the "political reality" in Washington.
"No longer can the American taxpayer carry a disproportionate share of the defense of Western values," Mattis told the alliance's 27 other defense ministers, according to a text of his remarks.
"Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do."
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
They knew this was coming and it’s very true and right to get this out there. They’ve been riding along for a long time in a dream world. Now, bring the full GDP of NATO to bear to show Putin he cannot frighten the nations of the West with his aggression and bullying. Good play by Mattis and Trump.
Just be cognizant the delinquent countries will put their plan on the table to get to 2%, yet few if any will.
This ultimatum must be backed up with action. Public pronouncements that countries x, y, and z will no longer enjoy US protection.
Do you support that?
I witnessed the EU “Parliamentary” procedures of the formation of an “EU single force military establishment”.
We, the US, SHOULD drop out of this whole NATO/EU business, with the discussion of this development.
If Brussels thinks that THEY can marshal the forces akin to a Napoleonic force, with one leader, “Let the ‘Exits’ Begin!”
NATO is an outmoded, outdated concept. Western Europeans cannot or will not defend their own borders, heritage or culture. The is no political consensus in the United States for boys from Kansas to die redefining the inner borders of the old Soviet Union. Only a fool would risk nuclear war. In fact an America that values its own culture and heritage, that secures its own borders has more in common with a nationalistic , heritage respecting Russia than it has differences. Both reject the ideology of the one world/ no borders Marxists that now dominate the EU.
Good. Then they will have less money for their social agenda.
Simple lesson in economics:
Capitalism—you can have guns and butter.
Socialism—you can have either guns or butter.
Communism—you only have guns, forget any butter.
I was really hoping for a revolution here. Like disbanding NATO, or at least kicking out Turkey.
Bring our boys home from Europe.
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