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Posted on 01/22/2026 11:45:06 PM PST by RandFan
Donald Trump has sparked fresh outrage in the UK after saying Nato troops stayed "a little off the front lines" during the war in Afghanistan.
Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the chair of the foreign affairs committee, called it an "absolute insult" to the 457 British service personnel killed in the conflict, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "How dare he question their sacrifice?"
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan, said it was "sad to see our nation's sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply".
The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan from 2001, after it invoked Nato's collective security clause following the 9/11 terror attacks.
The US president told Fox News on Thursday that he was "not sure" the military alliance would be there for America "if we ever needed them".
"We've never needed them," he said, adding: "We have never really asked anything of them."
"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," he said, "and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".
He said the US had "been very good to Europe and to many other countries", adding: "It has to be a two-way street."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
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Killed in Afghanistan:
USA 2461
UK 457
Canada 159
No other allies in triple digits. So, okay, maybe the UK gets a pass. The others? Meh.
Sounds to me like an unforced error on the president’s part. A little respect to those Europeans who lost their lives in Afghanistan is in order. But his larger point regarding the U.S. and N.A.T.O. is true. It’s been pretty one sided for most of it’s history, at least economically. We’ve essentially financed Europe’s welfare state through our defense spending.
Yes, the absolute number of Danish casualties in Afghanistan were fewer than the absolute number sustained by America, but it is worse than unseemly, it is rank propaganda to disparage Denmark's contribution, as has been done, to facilitate Trump's failed attempt to seize Greenland.
Denmark has been America's staunch ally in NATO.
Considering that Canada’s population is about 10% of the U.S.’s population, I’d say Canada did their share.
Okay, so Denmark had 43 deaths in Afghanistan. Population is 6 million, so that’s about 7 per million. Fair enough, that’s nothing to sneeze at, but it’s an exaggeration to say that “well exceeds” U.S. casualties on a per capita basis.
Reevaluate. Your 50 number includes 7 in Iraq.
“Denmark lost 43 soldiers in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014. Combined with seven killed in Iraq, Denmark suffered 50 military deaths in support of U.S.-led operations.”
https://www.military.com/daily-news/investigations-and-features/2026/01/07/denmark-bled-alongside-american-troops-iraq-and-afghanistan-now-trump-wont-rule-out-taking-greenland.html
The Brits are the only other ones who actually fought.
The man is an ass.
What did Trump say?
The US is the only country to have invoked Article 5 of Nato, which states that “an armed attack against one Nato member shall be considered an attack against them all”.
Speaking to Fox News last night, US President Donald Trump said he was “not sure” the military alliance would be there for the US “if we ever needed them”.
“We’ve never needed them,” he said, adding: “We have never really asked anything of them.”
“They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan,” he said, “and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines”.
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This is the main story across the UK and Europe he’s put his foot in his mouth here no doubt
Americans, Brits, Aussies and Danes fought alongside each other in Helmand Province. It is not convenient for some people to recognize their sacrifice.
Yes. He has put his foot in his mouth no doubt.
I suppose the UK can point to their record in Afghanistan and say “Been there. Done that. Wasn’t really interested in doing it again. But because we were friends…”
Nice stepping on a rake statement.
And then you have military personnel like Canadian soldier Capt. Simon Mailloux. He lost his leg to an IED in Afghanistan and then argued and successfully prevailed to return to active duty. Many Americans did this as well.
Contrast that with the games that went on during the US draft when deferments were abused by thousands of men.
Character vs. cowardice.
I’ve never heard him actually apologize for something that he said that deserved an apology.
He really should apologize this time.
Perhaps they all had bone spurs that stopped them serving at the front
Yes this is worthy of an apology and large slice of humble pie
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