For starters, he give no credit to the countries that have already extended deployments in the past, or have recently sent troops or extended deployments. Those include more countries than the ones that are drawing down, including such stalwarts as the Aussies and the Poles. He ignored what Tony blair said about the drawdown, that they have achieved stability in the area and can start drawing down. Instead he paints a picture of British troops under attack "daily". He does not give the Brits any credit for the crackdown they initaited last year when violence was flaring in their sector.
He gives short shrift to the stellar work NATO has been doing in Afghanistan. Didn't bother to mention that the Poles are sending in elite forces there now to FIGHT. Doesn't mention that UAE has forces in Afghanistan, or that Jordan is continuing to train Iraqi police and security.
Doesn't mention that the eastern euros have stood and continue to stand with us. Or that we are going to put anti missile batteries and bases there.
He prattles on about this BS about America being an empire.
And he give no hint on the importance of the mission, and has defeating terrorists.
Other than that its fine.
He's right about NATO. The alliance had its day and the defense of Europe should be up to the Europeans. They should be capable of handling a situation like Bosnia or Kosovo.
And if they had to focus on defending themselves, they'd have less time to bitch, whine and complain about everything the US is doing. Or not doing, as the case may be.
The US can negotiate agreements for bases with individual countries as necessary.
With the exception of the Brits and a few others who have sent token forces, the euro peons are a joke. They go where the fighting is minimal and if they take a couple of casualties its "Hit The Road Jack". Been ticked off at the euro peons for some time and glad some others feel the same way.
He did mention the Aussies, actually, but they're by far the minority, as far as holding firm.
He ignored what Tony blair said about the drawdown, that they have achieved stability in the area and can start drawing down.
He gives short shrift to the stellar work NATO has been doing in Afghanistan. Didn't bother to mention that the Poles are sending in elite forces there now to FIGHT. Doesn't mention that UAE has forces in Afghanistan, or that Jordan is continuing to train Iraqi police and security.
Stellar? I have friends in Afghanistan. The situation is not stellar, and NATO is not stellar. Some, like the Poles, are exceptionally good. Again, they're in the minority.
Doesn't mention that the eastern euros have stood and continue to stand with us. Or that we are going to put anti missile batteries and bases there.
Well, if al-Qa'ida ever gets an ICBM, then that will help. Otherwise, those bases are to cow the Russians, and the Eastern Euros are acting in their own self interest.
He prattles on about this BS about America being an empire.
He has in the past, to great and idiotic extent. Not seeing it here, except in a non-attributed quote.
And he give no hint on the importance of the mission, and has defeating terrorists.
So if he had started out by saying "It's a shame, given the importance of the mission, that our allies are jumping ship left and right.", you'd be more comfortable with his points, otherwise?