[driftdiver]

The tactical decisions on what forces are needed should be made by those best suited to make them.

[Wallace T.]

The decisions with respect to monies expended for the military and overall strategy belong to the legislative and executive branches of the government, respectively. The Senate has the power to ratify treaties. America's overall strategy should be set there, and not by the permanent bureaucracies in the State or Defense Departments or in independent agencies.

The United States spends 4.4% of its GDP on defense; Germany only 1.3%. Germany is the leading country of Europe. The front line nations of Poland and the Baltic States expend 0.8-2.0% of their respective GDPs on defense. NATO was organized to provide defense against Soviet aggression. Russia under Putin is the nearest parallel to the Soviet threat. The most recent mass terror strikes have been in Europe. The Europeans must spend more on their militaries and not rely as much on Uncle Sam.