[Jalieteplalry]

I was clarifying a point. However it now makes me think....Pakistan isn't an ally?

[DoroKickcrofe]

I think part of the larger problem is that we have troops stationed all over the world, the original purpose to box in the Soviets. There are no Soviets anymore, but our troops remain. Every problem looks like a nail. Were we to demilitarize around the globe, it would not be so easy to launch wars willy-nilly, and we'd spend less of our rapidly diminishing money, and our unending supply of blood.

It would also eliminate free-riding.

[Erossycuc]

Probably not for the world, but definitely for the US.

[ensuppono]

Probably not for the world, but definitely for the US.

Friendly fire deaths would go down for your allies. So there is a win for them too.

[dubGucKcolo]

Friendly fire deaths would go down for your allies. So there is a win for them too.

Free-riding on US defense expenditures is far more valuable.

[7kitthuptarill]

Only if you assume that Europe could have maintained the same low levels of defense spending without the security guarantee provided for decades by the United States.

[beepbeet]

You didn't specify.

[kranskregyan]

Well, in the present, the benefits to Europe aren't negligible since the US is largely funding and carrying out operations in Libya.

[Frinzer]

US makes a lot of defence procurement orders from Europe. And vice versa. Those would probably have more impact if they stopped.

[I9dydJrX]

He's mad that Europeans have said a decade is long enough for Afghanistan so he's trying to brow beat them into staying another decade. It won't work.

[TZids16I]

Well, in the present, the benefits to Europe aren't negligible since the US is largely funding and carrying out operations in Libya.

I thought Euro aircraft were performing most of the sorties? All we've done is give them bombs and drones.

[Kdgjhytiy]

The US has admirably devoted several video game pilots back in Nevada to fly drones around, whilst they complain about no one else getting their hands dirty.

Drone piloting does get your hands dirty, especially if the last person at the controls was eating a donut.

[Meenepek]

[offinoNem]

He knows how to leave a job with style.