Trump still doesn't understand the 2% GDP defense pledge re: NATO

[Flapdrol1337]

That's a pretty reasonable goal too. Again Trump handles it like a moron but he does bring up a valid point that's been spoken about since for as long as I can remember.

It's been in the news all the time since putin annexed the crimea.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

It's been in the news all the time since putin annexed the crimea.

I remember it coming up at least occasionally in the mid 80's

 

[Meghan54]

I remember it coming up at least occasionally in the mid 80's

Why? Germany was spending upwards of 2.5% of GDP on military during the 1980's, so why would that come up back then? Methinks you've got your dates wrong. In fact, Germany's military spending fell below 2% of GDP in 1992...it was above 2% prior to that year.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Why? Germany was spending upwards of 2.5% of GDP on military during the 1980's, so why would that come up back then? Methinks you've got your dates wrong.

Oops, I meant members in general not specially Germany. I wasn't clear and I don't want to imply Germany has been a slacker for decades.

 

[shortylickens]

That's a pretty reasonable goal too. Again Trump handles it like a moron but he does bring up a valid point that's been spoken about since for as long as I can remember.

Charles Manson brings up more valid points than Trump ever will.

You want him in the White House?

 

[Herr Kutz]

They understand it just fine. Unlike the US, they don't fill the role of the world's policeman like we do. Their part of it is to be ready to defend themselves against Russia should need be. They're entirely capable in that regard. It wouldn't take much from us to tip the balance strongly to NATO should something stupid happen, which none of them want.

Taking on former Warsaw pact members as members of NATO both increases NATO strength & denies those resources to Russia.

Source?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Charles Manson brings up more valid points than Trump ever will.

You want him in the White House?

Call it Trumps idiot sevant moment

 

[DarthKyrie]

Something that people keep forgetting about Germany is the fact that they are hamstrung on exactly how large their military can be due to the terms of the treaty that ended WWII in Europe as well as the Reunification Treaty. If Germany's military goes above a certain level Russia is fully within her rights according to International Law to act upon such signs of aggression, but most likely won't because of the risk that would entail. The same thing goes for China in regards to a Japanese arms build-up that exceeds WWII Treaty limits.

 

[dainthomas]

And I thought it was painful watching Dubya fumble his way around foreign leaders, damn.

I get the impression Merkel would give a lot to have Obama back right now (like most of the country!) and is wary of receiving another impromptu back rub, this time from a deviant sexist with creepy small hands.

Germany, please bear with us, it's not going to be like this for long.

How times change. Germany has the sensible, competent leader and the United States has the creepy fascist weirdo.

 

[Jhhnn]

Source?

It's not rocket science-

https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blog...ies-in-europe-should-deter-russian-aggression

OTOH, it's very much in Russia's interests to stop aggressive NATO expansion along their borders with former USSR members. That's what the conflicts in Georgia & Ukraine have been all about.

 

[Genx87]

Something that people keep forgetting about Germany is the fact that they are hamstrung on exactly how large their military can be due to the terms of the treaty that ended WWII in Europe as well as the Reunification Treaty. If Germany's military goes above a certain level Russia is fully within her rights according to International Law to act upon such signs of aggression, but most likely won't because of the risk that would entail. The same thing goes for China in regards to a Japanese arms build-up that exceeds WWII Treaty limits.

The limits are not a block to current spening by Germany on their own defense. Further Russia has withdrawn from the Treaty as of 2015.