classical_hero
In whom I trust
No, he want Europe to do their fair share of the heavy lifting and not leave it all to America.
Is Britain about to leave the EU?
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No, he want Europe to do their fair share of the heavy lifting and not leave it all to America.
Kozmos
Jew Detective
Alright, if America will pick up the tab from thoroughly destabilizing the ME leading to all these massive refugee waves Europe has to deal with.
Because having the EU Japan and co pay for the US's massive army is totally fair. Not like paying a tribute at all.
You do know that countries pay the US for the latter to keep nuclear weapons in their territory, don't you?
Old Hippy
Deity
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that's something I didn't know
any links as its an interesting topic
they wont even tell Aussies if they have nuclear weapons on their ships in Sydney harbour, they do but will not say so
[wiki]Trident nuclear programme[/wiki]
See that the Trident missiles themselves are leased from the US.
But it's supposed to strengthen the UK's economy because it provides jobs! Ignore the money being paid to foreign powers in exchange for independence!
See that the Trident missiles themselves are leased from the US.
But it's supposed to strengthen the UK's economy because it provides jobs! Ignore the money being paid to foreign powers in exchange for independence!
Old Hippy
Deity
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Thanks, always thought they were British
Ajidica
High Quality Person
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The UK tried a truly independent nuclear deterrent back in the '60s with the Blue Streak missile system. The whole thing became fiendishly complex and expensive, the UK ran out of money, and was forced to cancel it and CV-01 program (causing the UK to ditch actual carriers until the QE comes online).
Plus Trident is a joke. The UK already exists within the American nuclear umbrella and any situation where the UK launches nukes would have the Americans launching nukes anyhow. That also extends to the French. As much as I like to talk up the French maintaining a comprehensive domestic arms industry and independent action capacity; their nukes are in the exact same boat as the British but they at least have the argument of it being a prestige arm because it is domestic development.
Plus Trident is a joke. The UK already exists within the American nuclear umbrella and any situation where the UK launches nukes would have the Americans launching nukes anyhow. That also extends to the French. As much as I like to talk up the French maintaining a comprehensive domestic arms industry and independent action capacity; their nukes are in the exact same boat as the British but they at least have the argument of it being a prestige arm because it is domestic development.
Oerdin
Deity
BS. All NATO countries signed a treaty committing themselves to spending at least 2% of GDP on defense. Something many European countries have not done for 25 years straight and counting. Either live up to your treaty obligations or accept that other countries will decide your word is worthless.
Second of all the massive tide of economic migrants started in earnst after Angela Merkel opened her big fat mouth and said she would let any and all comers to come on over and sign up for welfare with no questions asked. That is why you have so many fake refugees in the EU trying to game the system and get something for nothing.
This is precisely my position on Trident. It's entirely a prestige project - we have nuclear weapons because Great Powers have nuclear weapons - and we pay for it, as Eisenhower realised a long time ago, in roads, hospitals, schools, and all the things we actually want.
JohannaK
Heroically Clueless
Isnt that why the Scots dont want it?
They're not particularly excited about having the things physically sitting in their harbours, which I think is more the problem.
Verbose
Deity
Problem is, the US has never known what it actually wants over this.
The ones operating EXACTLY like that already, since they always have, are the French.
If there's a shift like this, the US will find its alliance one of a multiplication of allies of the French model.
What the Trumps of the world tends to WANT, when not thinking this through, are Clients. And they want them for free, or even paying for the privilege. What's doubtful they want are actual allies.
Verbose
Deity
Tell that to the Italians and, in particular, the Greeks.
Going selectively blind to the EU member states actually in need of assistance as it allows taking a dig at the Germans actually trying to do someting IS popular though. But it still amounts to repatedly kicking the Greeks some more, even if making oneself doggedly unware of the steady thumping of one' own foot.
Be thankful that the Colonial Office has changed its name, eh?
As FP pointed out, it's more about not wanting to be saddled with a new Chernobyl.
EnglishEdward
Deity
It seems that the sky has not fallen yet.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/aug/23/uk-economic-surveys-defy-brexit-fears
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/aug/23/uk-economic-surveys-defy-brexit-fears
Verbose
Deity
As yet nothing has actually changed. Except the UK has pulled a curtain over it's own future a couple of years down the line.
One might take it as an indicator of how short the attention span regarding the future is in the British economy. (Could be related to why the German "Mittelstand" never fears British venture capitalism can't plan ahead worth a damn.)
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