Robert Gates on NATO

[Dauphin]

When the war is instigated by our allies, it'd be real nice to see them fight it without needing to bring us into it.

[Tupac Shakur]

To be fair, the United States never needed the UK in either Iraq or Afghanistan. It was nice to have the support (both militarily and politically), but allied contributions weren't vital to the war effort. The same can't be said in Libya.

[Felch]

What Drake said. We appreciate the help we've been given, but we're capable of fighting our wars without allied assistance. Britain and France can't make that claim.

[Dauphin]

We appreciate the help we've been given, but we're capable of fighting our wars without allied assistance. Britain and France can't make that claim.

This has been true since Suez.

If the US didn't want to help in Libya, they could do what they did then.

[Tupac Shakur]

If the US didn't want to help in Libya, they could do what they did then.

Pull the plug.

[Cort Haus]

It's almost as if a confession is being made here that the contribution of 'allies' is purely to give a fig-leaf of respectability to the campaigns.

[Kitschum]

What did NATO ever do for us? Disband it already see if I care.

[Tupac Shakur]

It's almost as if a confession is being made here that the contribution of 'allies' is purely to give a fig-leaf of respectability to the campaigns.

Of course it is. Only Australia, Canada, France, and the UK can really offer anything in a fight, and even they have very real limitations, as is being shown in Libya.

[VetLegion]

Of course it is. Only Australia, Canada, France, and the UK can really offer anything in a fight, and even they have very real limitations, as is being shown in Libya.

Every developed country can mount a credible defense.
That few are able to conduct interventions abroad is a damn
good thing.

[Hauldren Collider]

Er, I dunno about that credible defense part.

[Dauphin]

You think a nuclear deterrent isn't credible?

Or are you referring to the "any developed country" bit?

[Tupac Shakur]

You think a nuclear deterrent isn't credible?

Only two Euro countries have that, and they've already been listed in the select group of US allies who are worth a ****.

[Dauphin]

I was clarifying a point. However it now makes me think....Pakistan isn't an ally?

[Guynemer]

Of course it is. Only Australia, Canada, France, and the UK can really offer anything in a fight, and even they have very real limitations, as is being shown in Libya.

True at the moment, but if a true fight were to materialize, Germany and (to a lesser extent) Japan would be able to pull some weight.



I think part of the larger problem is that we have troops stationed all over the world, the original purpose to box in the Soviets. There are no Soviets anymore, but our troops remain. Every problem looks like a nail. Were we to demilitarize around the globe, it would not be so easy to launch wars willy-nilly, and we'd spend less of our rapidly diminishing money, and our unending supply of blood.

[Tupac Shakur]

I think part of the larger problem is that we have troops stationed all over the world, the original purpose to box in the Soviets. There are no Soviets anymore, but our troops remain. Every problem looks like a nail. Were we to demilitarize around the globe, it would not be so easy to launch wars willy-nilly, and we'd spend less of our rapidly diminishing money, and our unending supply of blood.

It would also eliminate free-riding.