Does NATO have a future, or should it be shut down

[james t kirk]

U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates says America's military alliance with Europe, which has been the cornerstone of U.S. security policy for six decades, faces a "dim, if not dismal" future.

In a blunt valedictory address Friday in Brussels, Gates questioned NATO's viability, saying its members' penny-pinching and lack of political will could hasten the end of U.S. support.

NATO was formed in 1949 as a U.S.-led bulwark against Soviet aggression, but in the post-Cold War era it has struggled to find a purpose.

Gates says future U.S. political leaders whose worldview wasn't moulded by the Cold War may not consider the return on America's investment in NATO worth the cost.

Gates spoke to a European think-tank at the end of an 11-day overseas journey. He retires on June 30.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/06/10/nato-gates-criticism.html

 

[diehard]

I heard Robert Gates speak today on CBC Radio, he sounds just like Dubya Bush, same accent.

As for NATO, is the US deploying its military on the recent attacks against Libya?

I have the impression they're letting the Europeans run the show.

 

[james t kirk]

My personal opinio is that NATO should be shit-canned.

It is a relic from a different era and serves no viable purpose. It's a toy for American War Hawks because they love things that go boom. Given the current political situation in Europe - there is simply no need for a cold war era military club. It almost sounds like Gates is lamenting the fact that there is not need to spend huge sums of money on a never ending military mission.

Get rid of it.

 

[danmand]

It should be terminated. It was put in place as a DEFENSIVE alliance, but is now conducting a war in Africa.

 

[rld]

It should be terminated. It was put in place as a DEFENSIVE alliance, but is now conducting a war in Africa.

Yes, we would be far better off letting the Col get his way unopposed...

 

[Aardvark154]

It's a toy for American War Hawks because they love things that go boom. Given the current political situation in Europe - there is simply no need for a cold war era military club. It almost sounds like Gates is lamenting the fact that there is not need to spend huge sums of money on a never ending military mission.

How do you get that? European members are the one's behind the Libya action not the U.S.A. Secretary Gates was speaking of such limited European weapons supplies that they have had to "borrow" from the U.S. even for a limited opperation such as in Libya.

 

[Aardvark154]

It should be terminated.

Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.

 

[james t kirk]

Libya is EXACTLY why NATO should be shit canned. The west is continually getting dragged into (or starting wars for that matter) which we should not be involved in.

Libya is a DISASTER. If the locals can't rise up and overthrow a Dictator, then I'm sorry, but that's the way it goes.

They've managed to do it on their own in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen. Now the Libyans want NATO to do their dirty work. Plus, we all know that they will turf one Dictator and simply install another Dictator (who will probably be worse than the last one).

NATO is a bad joke that is being forced on the rest of us by the Americans because they are a militaristic society that loves war and spending money on war.

NATO may have had its place in 1949 – but now it simply is not needed. It is outdated and not worth the money.

Besides, the Americans are extended too far militarily and should be looking for ways to cut their military as the cost of it and the cost of bases all around the world is dragging the USA into the economic abyss. Whenever I hear some buffoon from the Tea Party (Ryan) talking about cutting this and cutting that, but not touching the military budget, I just discount everything they just said because they are clearly in denial and simply a typical right wing war hawk.

NATO should be easy to get rid of since the member countries really are only interested in paying lip service to it anyway.

 

[Haus]

Libya is EXACTLY why NATO should be shit canned. The west is continually getting dragged into (or starting wars for that matter) which we should not be involved in.

Libya is a DISASTER. If the locals can't rise up and overthrow a Dictator, then I'm sorry, but that's the way it goes.

They've managed to do it on their own in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen. Now the Libyans want NATO to do their dirty work. Plus, we all know that they will turf one Dictator and simply install another Dictator (who will probably be worse than the last one).

NATO is a bad joke that is being forced on the rest of us by the Americans because they are a militaristic society that loves war and spending money on war.

NATO may have had its place in 1949 – but now it simply is not needed. It is outdated and not worth the money.

Besides, the Americans are extended too far militarily and should be looking for ways to cut their military as the cost of it and the cost of bases all around the world is dragging the USA into the economic abyss. Whenever I hear some buffoon from the Tea Party (Ryan) talking about cutting this and cutting that, but not touching the military budget, I just discount everything they just said because they are clearly in denial and simply a typical right wing war hawk.

NATO should be easy to get rid of since the member countries really are only interested in paying lip service to it anyway.

Captain Kirk....can't agree more.

 

[danmand]

Captain Kirk....can't agree more.

+1 .

I might add that the canadian government has announced that it is going to cut programs by about $11 billins during the next 4 years, all the while as it is purchacing military hardware and participating in wars on the other side of the globe. Add to that the cost in young canadian lives.

 

[rld]

Libya is a DISASTER. If the locals can't rise up and overthrow a Dictator, then I'm sorry, but that's the way it goes.

I guess the holocaust was okay then...interesting reasoning.

 

[wigglee]

nato was created to counter the ussr which no longer exists....now it serves as a front for american imperialism, but the europeans are hip to that and starting to balk ( of course, lap dog harper plays right in to the scam as a way to prove his manhood, instead of preserving canada's valuable u.n. peacekeeipng role).....so yeah, scrap nato now.

 

[OddSox]

Libya is EXACTLY why NATO should be shit canned. The west is continually getting dragged into (or starting wars for that matter) which we should not be involved in.

Libya is a DISASTER. If the locals can't rise up and overthrow a Dictator, then I'm sorry, but that's the way it goes.

They've managed to do it on their own in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen. Now the Libyans want NATO to do their dirty work. Plus, we all know that they will turf one Dictator and simply install another Dictator (who will probably be worse than the last one).

NATO is a bad joke that is being forced on the rest of us by the Americans because they are a militaristic society that loves war and spending money on war.

NATO may have had its place in 1949 – but now it simply is not needed. It is outdated and not worth the money.

Besides, the Americans are extended too far militarily and should be looking for ways to cut their military as the cost of it and the cost of bases all around the world is dragging the USA into the economic abyss. Whenever I hear some buffoon from the Tea Party (Ryan) talking about cutting this and cutting that, but not touching the military budget, I just discount everything they just said because they are clearly in denial and simply a typical right wing war hawk.

NATO should be easy to get rid of since the member countries really are only interested in paying lip service to it anyway.

Um, the action against Libya was initiated by the United Nations Security Council, who eventually asked NATO to coordinate the military component. If NATO wasn't around, the UN would probably set up their own military arm, which might not necessarily be a good thing...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_military_intervention_in_Libya

 

[rld]

nato was created to counter the ussr which no longer exists....now it serves as a front for american imperialism, but the europeans are hip to that and starting to balk ( of course, lap dog harper plays right in to the scam as a way to prove his manhood, instead of preserving canada's valuable u.n. peacekeeipng role).....so yeah, scrap nato now.

Good old American Imperialism...can't beat a catch phrase like that. Amazing what an imperialist that Obama guy is and how they get all those european countries to help out...

 

[wigglee]

Good old American Imperialism...can't beat a catch phrase like that. Amazing what an imperialist that Obama guy is and how they get all those european countries to help out...

need a definition of the word in this case? - meddling, aggressive, violent action taken against sovereign states under false moral human rights pretense, for the covert intent of strengthening the U.S.A.'s geo-political, military-industrial and/or economic well-being.
OR.....in brief layman's terms.....IT'S EITHER ABOUT OIL and/or ISRAEL

 

[rld]

need a definition of the word in this case? - meddling, aggressive, violent action taken against sovereign states under false moral human rights pretense, for the covert intent of strengthening the U.S.A.'s geo-political, military-industrial and/or economic well-being.
OR.....in brief layman's terms.....IT'S EITHER ABOUT OIL and/or ISRAEL

I would not define imperialism that way.

So let me guess, despite the fact that many foreign oil companies, particularly european ones, carried on business in Libya, this war is somehow about oil?

And how does Israel advance American imperialism?

I guess by your definition the invasion of Afghanistan was not imperialism...

And let me guess the UN is a puppet of American imperialism...

 

[onthebottom]

I should be disbanded, the US has no need to pay for the defense of rich (or poor) Euro nations....

The next game is in Asia, Europe is growing ever more irrelevant.

OTB

 

[Aardvark154]

nato was created to counter the ussr which no longer exists....now it serves as a front for american imperialism, but the europeans are hip to that and starting to balk ( of course, lap dog harper plays right in to the scam as a way to prove his manhood, instead of preserving canada's valuable u.n. peacekeeipng role).....so yeah, scrap nato now.

Not to blow my own horn, but I am reasonably certain that I have more experience of Russia than many here. Russia is not the Soviet Union, but neither is Russia, France or Germany. To totally wipe Russia off as a potential threat is to hide one's head in the sand.

American Imperialism, as already said what a wornout left wing buzzword that is. Ask those who have experienced Soviet or Chinese or even French let along Belguim "Imperialism" would they perfer that to the U.S.

Of course we all know how the U.S. was gang busters over taking action in Libya while the U.K. and France did everything in their power to avoid becoming involved.

 

[fuji]

NATO is still being used to contain Russia.

 

[onthebottom]

NATO is still being used to contain Russia.

Why should the US or Canada pay to do that?

OTB