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2008-02-10 Europe

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Posted by tipper 2008-02-10 06:03|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 It is not a question of NATO becoming a two-tiered alliance, it is a question of underlining the blindingly obvious fact NATO is a two-tiered alliance. Most Europeans could care less about their own security let alone shedding a tear - much less a drop of blood - for the security of anyone else.

Posted by Excalibur 2008-02-10 07:05|| 2008-02-10 07:05|| Front Page Top

#2 Gates came as close to threatening to leave NATO as any American official ever has and, I think, could without making the threat explicit.

The timing of this could make continued membership in Nato a campaign issue. And once it becomes a topic of public debate in the U. S. the Euros will find that their support here is a mile wide and an inch deep. I cannot imagine either candidate coming out in support of Nato membership if the other launches a well researched and presented attack on it.

Gates is growing in office, and I never thought I'd be saying that.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-02-10 07:51|| 2008-02-10 07:51|| Front Page Top

#3 Ditto.

Posted by lotp 2008-02-10 07:59|| 2008-02-10 07:59|| Front Page Top

#4 Gates really does seem to be the man we need at the moment. I'd hope that if Sen. McCain wins in November that he'd keep Gates on for a while.

As to NATO, as much as I like many individual Europeans, I'm getting awfully tired of being responsible for the defense of a continent full of people who won't defend themselves. No doubt that will get me a lecture on how important Europe is. I just wish the Euros would realize that.

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2008-02-10 13:15|| 2008-02-10 13:15|| Front Page Top

#5 Whats funny is the the French are willing to fight and the Germans are a bunch of pussies.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-02-10 16:27|| 2008-02-10 16:27|| Front Page Top

#6 OldSpook: Whats funny is the the French are willing to fight and the Germans are a bunch of pussies.

Not so fast, OS... The French are still out there defending the Greater French Co-Prosperity Sphere, if the Germans had any ex-colonial possessions to exploit they would be in the game. Self interest can make anyone braver --- even give French Politicians a spine implant (their soldiers have always been brave enough).

Posted by Tyranysaurus Thineger1966 2008-02-10 17:59|| 2008-02-10 17:59|| Front Page Top

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