Posted on 09/16/2007 12:07:28 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
We actually see ourselves as having a responsibility to do what’s right. But we have our limits.
At some point we will simply go back to our pre-1945 position, write Europe off, and look out solely for number one.
Russia is feeling a bit frisky, but I’m sure that’s no concern to Western Europe, let Eastern Europe worry about it for now. If Western Europeans are so certain that they don’t need or desire American assistance, I for one would be happy to dissolve NATO. You shouldn’t be forced to endure American heavy handedness one minute more.
That's exactly my preferred strategy. That's why I've mentioned taking out only the Revolutionary Guard. With them gone, the government would be defenseless against the regular military, which might be willing to take Ahmadinejad out. But if they stayed loyal we could take them out, and then the mullahs would face the wrath of the people directly.
although you may not believe it, im an atlanticist. NATO is a crucial part of our collective security, and i do concede it is dissapointing seeing some alliance members unwilling to pull their share.
I believe you are, I'm just finding it harder to believe that I am.
It seems obvious to me why Europe would want to keep the United States in NATO, but it is becoming less and less clear what the advantage is for the United States. If the U.S pulled out, Europe would no doubt increase its military spending and take a more aggressive approach to foreign policy with the bad guys. Both of which would appear to be to our benefit.
I’m curious to hear from a European why they think the U.S. should continue to worry about the rest of the world, when all we get for our efforts is grief.
We could start selling our UN influence like France and Russia. We could have worked out a sweet deal with Saddam for Kuwaiti oil, the Chinese would love us if we would just wink at them taking Taiwan, and I don’t think we’d have any trouble with Islam if we cut Israel loose and pointed out that Europe is much easier to convert than us. And as soon as we write off South Korea, North Korean will cease to be a problem for us as well.
In short, there is a lot of money to be made going our own way. That's what we get accused of anyway. It seems that most of Europe regards the U.S. like an insolent teenager badmouthing their parent, never considering for a second that the parent might just cut them loose to fend for themselves.
In an international age, I really dont think its possible to head back into an isolationist posture. Given that the West is facing its biggest challenge since the Cold War, its going to take the full collective to mobilise and each take reponsibility for maintaining the power base on the globe. That means the US sticking with its military and political partners, using NATO etc. It also means that certain alliance members are going to have to do more in honouring their treaty commitments. As you will know, the UK has been pouring more and more troops into Afghanistan in the past year or so. Given that some European militaries have very few ongoing campaigns, I would have hoped for our numbers to be matched.
Don’t lose the faith man. Common goals and all that. Europe has been looking inward sorting its structures and politics out, and this has resulted in a malaise in foreign interactions. Time will tell, but I feel optimistic that we can be comfortable with our continent in its new guise, enough to try to make some positive moves outside the borders.
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