by Oui
Wed Jul 11th, 2018 at 06:53:00 AM EST
Yep, making sure Europe's defense stays in the hands of US Generals, not politicians. Finance minister from the White House flying in to collect dues. Perhaps looking for cash payment to take back on Air Force One. About cash payment, Iran wants its money before the next sanctions by the US kicks in - huge Iran cash transfer request.
President Donald Tusk on EU-NATO cooperation
We have just signed a joint EU-NATO declaration, which brings the cooperation between the European Union and NATO to the next level. The aim is clear. We want to protect European citizens with all possible means available, and there is no better partner than NATO. That is why we have agreed today to strengthen EU-NATO ties in crucially important areas. They include improving the military mobility of troops and equipment, common preparedness for cyber and hybrid attacks, fighting terrorism and stopping migrant smugglers in the Mediterranean. The fullest possible involvement in our activities of EU Member States that are not NATO members will be encouraged and facilitated in an all-inclusive, non-discriminatory manner, without any artificial obstacles.
More below the fold ...
Speaking on the eve of the NATO summit here in Brussels, I would like to address President Trump directly, who for a long time now has been criticising Europe almost daily for, in his view, insufficient contributions to the common defence capabilities, and for living off the US. Dear President Trump: America does not have, and will not have a better ally than Europe. Today Europeans spend on defence many times more than Russia, and as much as China. And I think you can have no doubt, Mr President, that this is an investment in common American and European defence and security. Which can't be said with confidence about Russian or Chinese spending.
I would therefore have two remarks here. First of all, dear America, appreciate your allies, after all you don't have that many. And, dear Europe, spend more on your defence, because everyone respects an ally that is well-prepared and equipped.
Money is important, but genuine solidarity is even more important. Speaking about solidarity, I want to dispel the American President's argument, which says that the US alone protects Europe against our enemies, and that the US is almost alone in this struggle. Europe was first to respond on a large scale when the US was attacked, and called for solidarity after 9/11. European soldiers have been fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers in Afghanistan. 870 brave European men and women sacrificed their lives, including 40 soldiers from my homeland Poland. Dear Mr President, please remember about this tomorrow, when we meet at the NATO summit, but above all when you meet president Putin in Helsinki. It is always worth knowing: who is your strategic friend? And who is your strategic problem?
President Donald J. Trump Hosts NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg At The White House - May 17, 2018
A LASTING COMMITMENT: President Trump is continuing the legacy of transatlantic unity and is working with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg toward a successful July 11-12, 2018, NATO Summit.
...
REVITALIZING NATO: NATO countries are undertaking the most significant reinforcement of collective defense since the end of the Cold War to enhance the Alliance's ability to deter Russia, fight terrorism, and defend NATO territory.
In 2017, NATO deployed a new, enhanced Forward Presence to improve the collective defense of our NATO Allies including:
- An enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States and Poland comprised of 4 multinational, battalion-sized Battle Groups; and
- A tailored Forward Presence in the Black Sea region comprised of a multinational brigade in Romania, combined training to improve regional interoperability and an air-training and exercise program.
- To ensure it can meet any and all threats to the Alliance, NATO is making crucial reforms, such as adapting its Command Structure to current needs, increasing readiness levels, speeding up decision making processes, and improving military mobility.
- NATO has recommitted to developing the capabilities relevant to the hybrid and cyber threats facing the Alliance right now.
- NATO deterrence and defense posture includes core nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities, as well as cyber defense and counter-hybrid efforts.
Propaganda mouthpiece of NATO aggression across the globe ...
The Modern Alliance: Thirty Years of NATO Operations | The Atlantic Council |
As the NATO summit nears, attention has been focused on the defense spending of European NATO members and whether the Alliance has been "too costly for the United States," as claimed by US President Donald J. Trump. Long-standing burden-sharing concerns have morphed into larger disagreements on the value the United States gets from being part of NATO.
The Alliance, however, is more than just a defense mechanism for continental Europe. It is a major provider of security around the world. Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has expanded its mission to address threats outside of Europe and protect its members from a wide range of security challenges.
Here is a look at what NATO has been doing since the end of the Cold War ...
Role NATO after 1989 when it became irrelevant ...
○ NATO, 4.0 - Atlantic Alliance Relevance by Mission Change
○ European leaders braced for fractious NATO summit with Trump | Irish Times |
