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ON the US view of Europe. I don't know, but maybe flip it around. If Europe went all in with China, politically (in the application or soft power), economically (sanctions, or trade agreements) or militarily (think NATO but replace US with China), would the US be concerned?
The US didn't support Western Europe after WW2 out of altruism, it was to stop the reds and set up secure democratic countries. Today, that's note really a concern. Today it's more about power multiplying. If the US wants to wield power, it can do it alone, sure, but won't it wield more power if it has allies that will follow it's lead. And of course, it can choose anywhere strategically important to do, but Europe is probably the best bang of buck - low cost due to it having culturally not dissimilar, economically comparable and militarily advanced countries in that region?
Trump complains that NATO countries are free-loading off the US. Even if that were true, I don't think the US would reduce their military spending if they(the U.S) dropped out of NATO. I also don't think their spending would go down if the free-loaders increased spending to 40% of GDP. The rhetoric probably just a way to force NATO countries to increase spending, which in his mind means having to buy weapons from the US. I'm sure he wouldn't be happy if countries just say they'll double the soldiers salaries, benefits and pensions and say they've met their commitments of increased spending.
Random tangent, not sure what point I was making. Mainly that - would your rather be with Europe at your side, or have it crossing the divide and lining up with the rest against you?
The US didn't support Western Europe after WW2 out of altruism, it was to stop the reds and set up secure democratic countries. Today, that's note really a concern. Today it's more about power multiplying. If the US wants to wield power, it can do it alone, sure, but won't it wield more power if it has allies that will follow it's lead. And of course, it can choose anywhere strategically important to do, but Europe is probably the best bang of buck - low cost due to it having culturally not dissimilar, economically comparable and militarily advanced countries in that region?
Trump complains that NATO countries are free-loading off the US. Even if that were true, I don't think the US would reduce their military spending if they(the U.S) dropped out of NATO. I also don't think their spending would go down if the free-loaders increased spending to 40% of GDP. The rhetoric probably just a way to force NATO countries to increase spending, which in his mind means having to buy weapons from the US. I'm sure he wouldn't be happy if countries just say they'll double the soldiers salaries, benefits and pensions and say they've met their commitments of increased spending.
Random tangent, not sure what point I was making. Mainly that - would your rather be with Europe at your side, or have it crossing the divide and lining up with the rest against you?
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