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No,

Germany the worlds 3rd biggest economy with 81,000,000 people spends on defense no more than GB with 56,000,000. Even during the ENTIRE cold war. THEY NEVER CARRIED THIER OWN WEIGHT. Spending no more than 3.2-3.3% GDP on defense at the peak (US 6%). Today they spend 1.2% the US 3.2% (roughly) GDP on defense. It is questionable if they are even CAPABLE of upholding their NATO commitment. The Bundeswehr is a bleed out hollow force with NO force projection capabilities. In reality, all we ask of them is a token commitment to show unity. They have something like 30 soldiers in Kuwait. The US upwards of 100,000 (in Kuwait). But asking to serve in the capacity of a Combat Support elements with a whopping 30 guys is a lot asked.

AWACS? I hope this is no NATO asset to which ALL NATO countries contribute. To support your case. The Germans have forces in Afghanistan too. But they came after the US did the dirty work. Their limited to ISAF, don’t really hunt the enemy, and are very limited in numbers. We almost had to twist their arm off for them to pick up the role as leading nation after the Turks. I see what your saying, but their contribution is marginal at best, especially when considering how big they are. Just as our military, their soldiers are not at fault. In fact, many off line will readily tell of their contempt for their current administration. This does not change the fact though that Germany is waffling, playing with polemics in the UN and the interpretation of 1441. It does not change the fact that Germany is willingly sabotaging every US political move in order to prevent a second resolution so much needed by Blair. It does not change the fact that they are playing with the lives of US service members! Something we take serious in our country.

Can you read German? Maybe you should read “Spiegel, Stern, Focus” or just watch some German TV. Your worry and care of them seems a little out of place. They have been bashing us a long time. Just go into some of their chat rooms and see what they write. In one day I can tally up a good 10 times where either in print, TV (even public ARD/ZDF), or radio (HR3) they go off about us and oil, poor Iraqi children and our embargo, all the birth defects and our use of DU ammunition, and and and (but always consistently anti war, anti embargo, and yes anti-American). This is not some shmuck posting shit. No these are state owned TV and radio stations. These are the stations that ran “Der Marathon Man” basically telling what a hero Joschka Fisher is. Coincidentally this came out after the Balkan crisis and it showed how a compassionate guy like him, who really did not want war, just had to push for armed intervention. The Germans are a sick society and it is good that Americans finally see them for what they are. Anti-Americanism is nothing new in Germany. It’s been around for decades and it is GOOD that the people of America see what they are, what they believe in, who they support. It is GOOD that they have to live by their words and are held accountable for their actions.

It is wrong to say that Germans didn´t fight in Afghanistan. Special forces were engaged in the fightings in the hills with US and British special forces, too. The last left in early March.

"All the work" isn´t done in Afghanistan... the problem is resurrecting.

JEEZ...don't get your panties in a bunch :) :) :)

I merely pointed out how some peeps on FR change positions like a wind vane on a barn.

Peace out.