(click here for an AI reference)
He is trying to break down the alliance. I believe NATO can stand on it's own, but, at this point with Russia breathing down Europe's neck it is a horrible idea to challenge the alliance fiscally.
It is not just a bad idea, it is outrageous to demand such things by a Secretary of Defense. Hegseth can go straight to hell. This is a treaty issue belonging to Congress. Senator McConnell is holding the line on this mess and I appreciate his focus.
By the way Hegseth is focusing on the Caribbean again. He is fixated on the idea that the western hemisphere belongs to Trump.
There are many ways of financing the alliance and over taxing the allies is the worst choice.
GDP has been a standard by applying a percentage to the treasury of the alliance, but, that is not the most effective way to look at the alliance financing. The USA carries the largest burden because it can. It is also the one country benefitting the most by the alliance.
Our military industrial complex is here and it receives support by NATO. Not only that but we have the most people to protect. The USA garners a great deal of protection by Europe being a stanch friend. Besides an ocean away from Russia there is also an entire continent standing in the way.
THAT MATTERS.
When I once stated the resilience of the people of Ukraine comes from the fact, "They know who they are." That is the case with NATO. They are the front lines and they know it. That understanding has lived with the people of Europe for generations. They are proud of their heritage and rightfully so. They stood the ground when WWII became evident and gratefully they did. It wasn't until bombs landed on USA soil that Roosevelt finally took the assault against Europe seriously. If they had fallen to Hilter's Third Reich where would the USA have been when Peril Harbor fell?
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