The world is arming up
by digby
Via:
French President Emmanuel Macron announced an "exhaustive review" of defense cooperation in the European Union, claiming the EU can no longer rely on the U.S. for its security, reports the AFP.
"Europe can no longer rely on the United States for its security. It is up to us to guarantee European security."
— Emmanuel Macron
The big picture: Macron said defense proposals would be revealed in the coming months, and that discussions would include all European countries — even Russia. President Trump left his European allies reeling after the July NATO summit in Brussels, during which he made some veiled threats to withdraw the U.S. from the military alliance if other countries didn't boost their defense spending.
Europe and the far east deciding that they need to arm up is such a wonderful idea, especially with the scary rise of fascism throughout the continent. What could go wrong?
*This is not to say that the US needs to be the policeman of the world. But this sort of chaotic withdrawal, while telling the world that they should be buying more guns and armor from the United States "because we make the best weapons" is a recipe for disaster.
"The Guns of August"
is a relevant book to re-read if you've forgotten what happens when Europe decides they need to buy a bunch of war toys and inevitably find a reason to use them.
is a relevant book to re-read if you've forgotten what happens when Europe decides they need to buy a bunch of war toys and inevitably find a reason to use them.