The Economist no longer buys the anti-European hype | 69 comments (69 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: militarism (4.00 / 2)

Common wisdom says that the US deficit is used to pay for militarism, but we could just as easily say it is being used to pay for US consumerism. Walmart, for example, imports about $15 billion from China alone.

The point is that the US is providing protective (?) services to other countries thus giving them a free ride.

The UK is in the middle of a bribery scandal with Saudi Arabia. Something like $80 billion in arms trades over the past decade and future sales are involved. This a perfect case where Europe sells (mostly useless) military equipment whereas the US has to provide the troops and run the bases.

Policies not Politics
---- Daily Landscape

by rdf (robert.feinman@gmail.com) on Sat Dec 2nd, 2006 at 11:06:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: militarism (none / 0)

I staunchly protest that European weapons are mostly useless or inferior to American arms.

Please give an example.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid on Sat Dec 2nd, 2006 at 11:36:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: militarism (none / 0)

Well one could say that all weapons are useless, but what I meant was that since Saudi Arabia is not under any threat from neighbors having a new fleet of fighter jets won't improve their security.

If anything most middle east regimes are most at risk from internal coups. Heavy equipment usually doesn't help in such a situation.

Policies not Politics
---- Daily Landscape

by rdf (robert.feinman@gmail.com) on Sat Dec 2nd, 2006 at 11:40:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: militarism (none / 0)

Saudi Arabia not under threat?

In 1991 Saudi Arabia was next in line after Kuwait. As long as Saddam was around Saudi Arabia was under threat. Now when he is gone and the Americans are preparing to leave with the tails between their legs SA must prepare to intervene in Iraq to save the Sunnis and hold of the influence of it's main enemy... Iran.

For at least 50 years Saudi Arabia has been in conflict with Iran over the control of the Persian gulf.

It's hard to imagine many countries with a greater need for a strong defence than Saudi Arabia. Maybe Iran.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid on Sat Dec 2nd, 2006 at 11:52:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: militarism (none / 1)

It's hard to imagine many countries with a greater need for a strong defence than Saudi Arabia. Maybe Iran.

Maybe they could enter into a mutual defence agreement. That would solve a lot of problems.

But as long as it's the Wahhabis against the Ayatollahs, it doesn't sound likely.

Saudi Arabia has the little problem that the oil-rich region has a (repressed) Shiite majority, as well.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Dec 2nd, 2006 at 11:58:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The Economist no longer buys the anti-European hype | 69 comments (69 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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