The question at this point is not what President Bush will do but what NATO or SHAPE will do. The US has spent untold amounts in both organizations as a “partner” in mutual defense. The US has been the principle force behind the NATO alliance, employing our considerable security umbrella over western Europe. Though it is obvious that Russia’s actions are meant to embarrass the US, the real embarrassment is the revelation that without the US, western Europe is a paper tiger.
If countries like Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy, etc, will not step up to the plate for their own defense than maybe we need to relocate our forces to more friendly countries like Georgia, Poland and the likes.
I agree. The Western Euros can’t continue to hide behind America’s (tank) skirts. It’s time they step up to the plate and start spending some real money on defense.