• Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?

    Go here:

    Edit Account Details and Profile

The end of NATO?

Griz882

Griz882

Frightening children with the Griz-O-Copter!
pilot
Contributor
Yardstick said:
www.thetimes.com

Europe ‘would struggle to put 25,000 troops on the ground in Ukraine’

Defence chiefs’ hopes of a 64,000-strong ‘deterrence’ force is unlikely to be fulfilled, sources say
www.thetimes.com www.thetimes.com


Seems like Trump, Vance and company were absolutely spot on regarding europes dereliction of their own defense. Absolutely pathetic
Click to expand...
The real story here is that this is a positive development. Europe is finally realizing that they need to ensure their own defense. I believe that was always the intent of NATO. America’s oversized role was initially the result of post-WWII restructuring but gradually became a bad habit. Nice to read they are getting their act together, it is a plus for the free world.
 
cfam

cfam

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Randy Daytona

Randy Daytona

Cold War Relic
pilot
Super Moderator
Griz882 said:
The real story here is that this is a positive development. Europe is finally realizing that they need to ensure their own defense. I believe that was always the intent of NATO. America’s oversized role was initially the result of post-WWII restructuring but gradually became a bad habit. Nice to read they are getting their act together, it is a plus for the free world.
Click to expand...
It will be interesting to see if nations will actually end up funding these defense plans. Considering the amount of money needed to fund social programs with worsening demographics as well as the green transition and job supporting industries, most countries are going to have a difficult time politically prioritizing defense.
 
BigRed389

BigRed389

Registered User
None
ChuckMK23 said:
Slash and burn indeed....

Click to expand...
It’s interesting for sure.

Sounds good on paper, plays well to the public…but I have literally no idea how it is actually supposed to make anything better, and can also see where if poorly applied, could actually make things a hell of a lot worse.

For example, in the acquisition nerd world, there’s always been a 3 star in charge of the Navy Trident missile program, since like the 1960’s. Since it was stood up, in addition to maintaining that capability, they’ve had hypersonic missiles and nuclear cruise missiles thrown on top of their portfolio.

The entirety of Missile Defense Agency is a question mark. Definitely a new addition post WW2 and GWN. But should they be headed by a 3 star? Honestly…probably. On the other hand, I know there are folks in certain circles of influence to JD Vance (Big Tech) that advocate for Combatant Commands effectively running their own acquisition.

That said, I’m sure there are examples to the contrary of doing less with more too.
 
Randy Daytona

Randy Daytona

Cold War Relic
pilot
Super Moderator
BigRed389 said:
It’s interesting for sure.

Sounds good on paper, plays well to the public…but I have literally no idea how it is actually supposed to make anything better, and can also see where if poorly applied, could actually make things a hell of a lot worse.

For example, in the acquisition nerd world, there’s always been a 3 star in charge of the Navy Trident missile program, since like the 1960’s. Since it was stood up, in addition to maintaining that capability, they’ve had hypersonic missiles and nuclear cruise missiles thrown on top of their portfolio.

The entirety of Missile Defense Agency is a question mark. Definitely a new addition post WW2 and GWN. But should they be headed by a 3 star? Honestly…probably. On the other hand, I know there are folks in certain circles of influence to JD Vance (Big Tech) that advocate for Combatant Commands effectively running their own acquisition.

That said, I’m sure there are examples to the contrary of doing less with more too.
Click to expand...
I remember SecDef Robert Gates trying to cut about 100 flag officer positions back in 2010, but can’t remember what the final total was.

www.pbs.org

Secretary Gates' Goal: Save $100 Billion From Military Cuts Over 5 Years

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Pentagon will cut thousands of jobs, reduce some of its dependence on private contractors and close a major military command base in Norfolk, Va. Margaret Warner is joined by defense experts Winslow Wheeler and Thomas Donnelly.
www.pbs.org www.pbs.org
 
Griz882

Griz882

Frightening children with the Griz-O-Copter!
pilot
Contributor
The Army went through something like this (maybe the Navy did as well at the same time) and to me it seemed to land mostly on one-star types. The group I worked for went from having a brigadier general to an SE leader. Several facility commands went from O-7 to O-6 and some functions were consolidated. This might have been part of Gates’ efforts.
 
Randy Daytona

Randy Daytona

Cold War Relic
pilot
Super Moderator
Griz882 said:
It will be worth watching Germany for the next week.
Click to expand...
Saw that - highly unusual for Germany.

Romania had its first round election last Sunday - the winner of the first round was George Simion. He has proposed to appoint Calin Georgescu as Prime Minister (he is the person that was banned in the previous election.)

The final round is May 18th, which I believe is also the first round of Poland’s election.

www.politico.eu

Romanian election results: Trump fan George Simion wins first round, Nicușor Dan comes second

The far-right chief qualifies for the presidential runoff, in which he will face centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan.
www.politico.eu www.politico.eu
 
Faded Float Coat

Faded Float Coat

Suck Less
pilot
Randy Daytona said:
I remember SecDef Robert Gates trying to cut about 100 flag officer positions back in 2010, but can’t remember what the final total was.

www.pbs.org

Secretary Gates' Goal: Save $100 Billion From Military Cuts Over 5 Years

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Pentagon will cut thousands of jobs, reduce some of its dependence on private contractors and close a major military command base in Norfolk, Va. Margaret Warner is joined by defense experts Winslow Wheeler and Thomas Donnelly.
www.pbs.org www.pbs.org
Click to expand...
Can we agree that this is likely the logical beginning and end of comparisons between Robert Gates and Major Hegseth.....? JFC....:rolleyes:
 
taxi1

taxi1

Well-Known Member
pilot
taxi1 said:
Short of aerial attack, could you picture the CIA being given the green light to find Greenlanders who want to join the USA (there have to be some) and supporting their message while denigrating our NATO ally’s? Foment some serious unrest? Stir in some fake news? Send his social media minions to the attack?

It’s what POTUS wants. Why would he not give the order?
Click to expand...
From the WSJ

Several high-ranking officials under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a “collection emphasis message” to intelligence-agency heads last week. They were directed to learn more about Greenland’s independence movement and attitudes on American resource extraction on the island.

The classified message asked agencies, whose tools include surveillance satellites, communications intercepts and spies on the ground, to identify people in Greenland and Denmark who support U.S. objectives for the island.
 
mmx1

mmx1

Woof!
pilot
Contributor
I see we’re in the silly exercise of demanding your obligations as a clearance holder outweigh your obligations as a citizen.

Several high-ranking officials under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a “collection emphasis message” to intelligence-agency heads last week. They were directed to learn more about Greenland’s independence movement and attitudes on American resource extraction on the island.

The classified message asked agencies, whose tools include surveillance satellites, communications intercepts and spies on the ground, to identify people in Greenland and Denmark who support U.S. objectives for the island.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top