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To: RandFan

NATO should be viewed like the B1G and SEC view expansion. Don’t bring in weaker members who add no value and water down your product.

US should leave NATO and make it the PAC10.


2 posted on 07/30/2022 2:41:22 AM PDT by HYPOCRACY (This is the dystopian future we've been waiting for!)
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To: HYPOCRACY
Don’t bring in weaker members who add no value and water down your product.

Good advice, but it does not apply to Finland or Sweden. Both of these nations have relatively strong Armed Forces and defense capabilities. Their addition to NATO bring strength in absolute terms.

One might argue that Finland's extensive border with Russia creates vulnerabilities but in the modern age of satellites and hypersonic missiles, geography is less critical than in the last century. Equally, the geography represented by Ukraine does not offer the same kind of buffer that failed to shield Stalin in 1941.

While Finland's geography presents a vulnerability, it also exposes a Russian flank that alters relative positions to NATO's advantage. Sweden, insulated by the Baltic and Finland, offers no geographical vulnerability and reasonably powerful Armed Forces.

These considerations are quite apart from an overall judgment whether or not we should be involved in NATO but it is fair to say that, on balance, the addition of Sweden and Finland strengthen NATO.


4 posted on 07/30/2022 3:35:01 AM PDT by nathanbedford (Attack, repeat, attack! - Bull Halsey)
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To: HYPOCRACY

“Don’t bring in weaker members who add no value and water down your product.”

Finland will not be a “weak” member. Unlike Poland and Germany Finland stood up to the Soviet Union, in a war with them, and won, sending the Soviet military out of Finland. While they have remained politically neutral they have remained militarily vigilant against Russia. Every man in Finkand does his active military duty and remains in the reserves for life. I’d take Finland as a partner over nations like France, Greece or Italy any time.


11 posted on 07/30/2022 8:11:12 AM PDT by Wuli
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