Hey buddy, can you spare a P-3???

[helolumpy]

For example, the UK and France are pushing for more direct intervention in Libya, but they can't do any more than they are without our assent and cooperation...in other words, they've effectively given us veto power over their foreign policy.

While not debating your other points, you could argue that because we have a permanent seat on the UNSC, we can veto their foreign policy through UNSCR. Granted Great Britian and France can return the favor, but it would make for an interest Security Council meeting if this were to happen...

 

[Brett327]

...because no one can answer that question until it happens. After WWI they asked the same thing, came to the same conclusion as you, and it's one of the reasons they almost ended up a part of Germany.

The only difference if they are wrong today vs. yesteryear, is a conventional war will most likely be over a lot quicker. As we've seen the world is constantly getting smaller and even if you cut the typical procurement/production length by a factor of five, no one is going to have time to ramp up production of MPA, carriers, jets, bombers, etc.

It amazes me how ignorant the rest of the world is to how much of the stability enjoyed over the last twenty years is thanks to the United States. They criticize our military spending, accuse us of being warmongers, and tell us we should spend more on social programs, yet don't realize their ability to spend so little on defense and at the same time enjoy such security, is thanks to us. As we've seen in Libya with cruise missile and bomb shortages, they'd be hopeless in any sort of conflict, let alone a major one, without out our aid.

Our very presence is the only reason the question "Why do they need to still be so big?" when referring to a island nation that already has no carriers, no MPA, no conventional bombers, and less than 200 attack/fighter aircraft, isn't totally absurd.

People have just accepted this current world as a peaceable one without ever identifying the reason. If/when the United States relinquishes the role of world police man they are in for a rude and abrupt wakeup call.

While their public may not acknowledge it, their policy makers are keenly aware of the stability we provide. That's generally why you'll see a lot more cooperation and collaboration under the surface. Ultimately, their politicians still have to keep their constituents happy, but know where their national security bread is buttered.

Brett

 

[statesman]

While their public may not acknowledge it, their policy makers are keenly aware of the stability we provide. That's generally why you'll see a lot more cooperation and collaboration under the surface. Ultimately, their politicians still have to keep their constituents happy, but know where their national security bread is buttered.

Brett

+1

France is notorious for this. The French government has a pretty good track record of siding with their people in the public eye and supporting US causes on the down low. Probably one of the main reason they keep the Foreign Legion around. That and to tear ass around Africa looking for the shit.