I agree overall. But the irony is that Europe’s cooperation with the United States is a major source of instability. So I’d rather see NATO replaced by an international alliance of smaller countries and middle powers or smaller countries that reject aggression and abide by international law.
I also think that the whole “must spend X” obsession largely comes from NATO propaganda which assumed that Europe would use that money to buy weapons from the American MIC. That doesn’t invalidate all additional spending, especially if temporary, but I think it’s important to recognize the role it has had in shaping the United States (force the poor to join the military) and to vehemently reject that model.
Europe’s cooperation with the United States is a major source of instability. So I’d rather see NATO replaced by an international alliance of smaller countries and middle powers or smaller countries that reject aggression and abide by international law.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s long past time to wean Europe off of dependence on the US of any kind, but especially military and economic.
I also think that the whole “must spend X” obsession largely comes from NATO propaganda which assumed that Europe would use that money to buy weapons from the American MIC.
That and propaganda on behalf of the European MIC, which is also a thing, though a lot smaller.
That doesn’t invalidate all additional spending
True, but the arguments for it being necessary not holding water does.
especially if temporary
Yeah, because militaries and the rich people and corporations never make sure that “temporary” subsidies and government contracts become effectively permanent 🙄
Yeah, temporary contracts have this tendency of becoming drawn out. This is also why it’s so wild that so many European countries increased military spending before they even knew what to even buy with all of that money.
I agree overall. But the irony is that Europe’s cooperation with the United States is a major source of instability. So I’d rather see NATO replaced by an international alliance of smaller countries and middle powers or smaller countries that reject aggression and abide by international law.
I also think that the whole “must spend X” obsession largely comes from NATO propaganda which assumed that Europe would use that money to buy weapons from the American MIC. That doesn’t invalidate all additional spending, especially if temporary, but I think it’s important to recognize the role it has had in shaping the United States (force the poor to join the military) and to vehemently reject that model.
NATO famously was “to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans [read Europeans] down”.
It is not in our interest to be vassals of the US, as they’ve shown multiple tiimes.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s long past time to wean Europe off of dependence on the US of any kind, but especially military and economic.
That and propaganda on behalf of the European MIC, which is also a thing, though a lot smaller.
True, but the arguments for it being necessary not holding water does.
Yeah, because militaries and the rich people and corporations never make sure that “temporary” subsidies and government contracts become effectively permanent 🙄
Yeah, temporary contracts have this tendency of becoming drawn out. This is also why it’s so wild that so many European countries increased military spending before they even knew what to even buy with all of that money.