Posted on 02/13/2025 8:02:45 AM PST by Mariner
BRUSSELS (AP) — In just one speech by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week, the most powerful member of NATO has thrown the world’s biggest military alliance into disarray, raising troubling questions about America’s commitment to European security.
Hegseth told almost 50 of Ukraine ’s Western backers on Wednesday that he had joined their meeting “to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe.”
“The United States faces consequential threats to our homeland. We must — and we are — focusing on security of our own borders,” he said.
Reading the riot act to U.S. allies, Hegseth said that Ukraine will not get all its territory back from Russia and will not be allowed to join NATO, which would provide the ultimate security guarantee to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin never attacks it again.
He insisted NATO will not be involved in any future force that might be required to police the peace in Ukraine. European and other nations will, but the Europeans will have to pay for it. No American troops would take part in such an operation, he warned.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
Gee, maybe Europe needs to change its attitude towards the United States along with its tariffs
We don’t like ingrates
We need to cut the budget 50%. Looks like defense is on the chopping block.
A bunch of judges can just order us to stay in NATO keep the money flowing and tell the Trumpists that their function is ceremonial.
Europe doesn’t provide for our defense. Why are we providing for their’s?
Please show me where we are advocating cutting defense of the USA.
Most European countries couldn’t care less about their own border security, so they can suck it.
NATO has been slowly growing aware of the China threat, very slowly, Trump may be accelerating the awareness to Europeans that NATO needs to be with us on facing China.
European leaders will now be forced into deciding if their pet causes like global warming, illegal aliens etc. are more important than their nation security. Life is about choices so choose Europe.
DOD has to also be on the block.
EVERY branch of the US Government is riddled with fraud, waste and abuse. When we are $36.2 trillion in debt every part of the US Fed Government has to be audited and pared down to meet core functions. There can be NO scared spending cows. That one of the mindsets that got us here.
The days of writing everyone blank checks for what ever spending they like is over
We have been their “mercenaries” since ww1. It was always let the American troops defend and die for us while they provide little in troops, supplies or support.
So is the UN.....We should immediately withdraw from both
If we pay .5% and the EU/NATO pays 99.5% and our part expires in two years is that OK? Sounds like a decent baseline.
No American troops would take part in such an operation, PERIOD
We need NATO to prevent France from surrendering to those Luxembourgist barbarians.
When will we see a Federal Judge rule that the US must fully fund NATO at the expense of our own border security?
NATO officers tried to sabotage President Trump before and during the 2024 election.
So did a lot of UN freaks, who hate the USA.
Back Stabbing Traitors.
We have more than just Samantha Power, SOS Antony Blinken and Nuland to deal with.
AP is trying to act as if we don’t know what is going on.
Their lies no longer work.
“We the People” GET IT!
Your Kremlin propaganda delirium won’t work.
NATO is a massive financial boon for the U.S. economy in several ways. Here’s the numerical proof:
1. U.S. Defense Exports to NATO Allies
• The U.S. is the largest arms exporter in the world, and NATO allies are some of its biggest customers.
• In 2022 alone, U.S. arms sales to NATO members totaled $28 billion.
• From 2018 to 2022, NATO countries accounted for about 54% of total U.S. arms exports.
2. Increased U.S. Defense Budget (Driven by NATO Commitments)
• The U.S. defense industry benefits heavily from NATO’s 2% GDP defense spending target, which pressures allies to buy American weapons.
• In 2023, NATO members spent $1.26 trillion on defense, and much of that went to U.S. firms like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon.
• Example: Germany recently ordered $8.5 billion worth of U.S. F-35 fighter jets.
3. Job Creation in the U.S.
• The U.S. defense industry supports 3 million American jobs.
• NATO-related contracts directly employ hundreds of thousands of Americans, particularly in states like Texas, Virginia, and California.
4. NATO’s Economic Impact on U.S. Military Bases
• The U.S. has over 100 military installations in NATO countries, pumping money into local economies and ensuring long-term revenue for U.S. contractors.
• Example: The Ramstein Air Base in Germany, which supports 53,000 U.S. personnel and families, costs Germany over $1 billion annually, reducing U.S. costs.
5. Indirect Economic Benefits: Trade & Investment
• NATO provides geopolitical stability, which protects global trade routes and U.S. business interests.
• NATO allies account for 48% of total U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI), with trillions of dollars flowing between the U.S. and Europe.
CONCLUSION
NATO is not just a military alliance—it’s a massive economic engine for the U.S. The combination of weapons sales, job creation, foreign investment, and geopolitical stability makes NATO an extremely profitable endeavor for America.
I certainly hope everyone is reading your posts...
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