Mildenhall definitely staying open. Full reprieve.
Discussion
It's a relatively small amount US forces leaving Germany for other other European countries like Italy, Belgium etc so it's more about sending a message. Trump warned Germany 4 years ago he'd pull out fully if they didn't sort their defense spending out, they didn't do it in the timescale he wanted (regardless of whether it was a reasonable timescale or not) and now he's starting their "punishment" for what he feels is Germany testing him.
If they don't take this fairly small "jab" seriously then, if he's re-elected later this year, I could see him pulling all US military out of Germany within a few years.
If they don't take this fairly small "jab" seriously then, if he's re-elected later this year, I could see him pulling all US military out of Germany within a few years.
IanH755 said:
It's a relatively small amount US forces leaving Germany for other other European countries like Italy, Belgium etc so it's more about sending a message.
It marks the end of the post-WW2 era though, as while there are still foreign mil units in Germany, this was the last front line combat aircraft unit left in Germany of the 4 x Allies, with all Soviet, French & RAF front line combat units having already departed German soil.Germany though is no longer the 'front line' so it was only a matter of time.
Jaaack said:
I'm probably quite out of the loop here - why is the Giant Cheeto cross with the Germans?
I'm not sure I remember either. But probably something like "not buying enough American cars, compared to Americans buying German cars". Which probably says more about the vehicles in question, than the trade agreements. Then didn't he start banging on about promised NATO spending in terms of GDP and that the US spends more % GDP while other Nato member spend less.Given war is now essentially fought via sanctions, and online by influencing other countries populations via social media (mostly platforms owned by the US but more successfully exploited by hostile states such as Russia, China, North Korea etc), I'd question the relevance of so much traditional NATO military spending anyway.
Tony1963 said:
Jaaack said:
I'm probably quite out of the loop here - why is the Giant Cheeto cross with the Germans?
They’re not paying anything like their dues into the NATO piggy bank. For once I agree with him.
NATO guidleline is 2% of GDP, and only USA, Bulgaria (both over 3%) Greece, UK, Estonia, Romania, Lithunania, Latvia & Poland are at 2% or just over.
Every other NATO member country is less than the NATO guideline of 2%. among those below 2% include France 1.84%, Germany 1.38% & Italy 1.22%.
Belgium, Spain & Luxemburg are all below 1.0%
aeropilot said:
It's not German funds directly into NATO piggy bank, its Germany's expenditure on defense as a % of GDP that the 'orange one' has the hump with Germany over, compared to its position within Europe.
NATO guidleline is 2% of GDP, and only USA, Bulgaria (both over 3%) Greece, UK, Estonia, Romania, Lithunania, Latvia & Poland are at 2% or just over.
Every other NATO member country is less than the NATO guideline of 2%. among those below 2% include France 1.84%, Germany 1.38% & Italy 1.22%.
Belgium, Spain & Luxemburg are all below 1.0%
And I think I read somewhere that the U.K. is only above the 2% threshold because it includes the expenditure on ex Service pensions!NATO guidleline is 2% of GDP, and only USA, Bulgaria (both over 3%) Greece, UK, Estonia, Romania, Lithunania, Latvia & Poland are at 2% or just over.
Every other NATO member country is less than the NATO guideline of 2%. among those below 2% include France 1.84%, Germany 1.38% & Italy 1.22%.
Belgium, Spain & Luxemburg are all below 1.0%
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