Re: First Day ...
Originally Posted by
Moscow
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They are so used to AngloCentric nations liberating them it's like 'Why Bother?'
Many true words are spoken in jest.
I believe that the Netherlands, along with several other EU nations (actually, the majority of them) are not paying the agreed 2% of GNP
because they don't need to!
They are happy to sit back and hide behind us and especially the US. They were happy to rely on us seventy years ago and are still doing so.
Trump has made his opinion on this mater well known and it wouldn't surprise me if he, some time in the future, decides to exclude from his military support those countries failing to contribute the agreed levels.
I'm not claiming that the UK carries any weight in this respect. After all, consecutive governments have pared our armed forces to the bone. However, I have a distinct feeling that if push came to shove, the US would stand by us in preference to certain EU countries. After all, we have been allies ever since their independence.
Consider this as well. Off all European countries, the UK provides more support to the US than any other. Military bases, the BMEWS at Fylingdales, the Menwith Hill communications station, GCHQ, etc, etc. America would happily leave any EU support in favour of ours.