Article

2008-01-23 Great White North

Canada needs to 'play chicken' with NATO allies to get help

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Posted by tipper 2008-01-23 00:00|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 ...Everyone needs to remember that after the Soviets went down the NATO allies (with the qualified exception of the UK) did their damnedest to eliminate their militaries altogether - and sadly, that includes Canada (I spoke to more than a few Canadian military types who swore it was an open secret that Jean Chretien wanted to do so to leave a legacy of being the first major Western nation to dismantle its armed forces - and pick up a Nobel Peace Prize along the way.).
The sad, brutal fact is that for all practical purposes, ALL the other NATO forces are basically show units supported by nice safe admin outfits, and will remain so until we lay down an ultimatum: rebuild your militaries or we're going home.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2008-01-23 04:41|| 2008-01-23 04:41|| Front Page Top

#2 The appeal for NATO and the international community to "get its act together" in Afghanistan will probably fall on deaf ears in Europe.

Geez. Stop the presses, boss?
Ummmmmmmmm...no, Johnson.

Posted by tu3031 2008-01-23 08:44|| 2008-01-23 08:44|| Front Page Top

#3 The Europeans still view the threat from Iran and the other jihadist states as remote and more of a problem for the US and Israel than themselves.

They probably won't ramp up their militaries unless Putin keeps throwing his weight around as with the gas shutoff in 2006.

Then, European military spending and capability will go up due to "Concert of Europe reasons" rather than "NATO reasons"

Posted by charger 2008-01-23 10:40|| 2008-01-23 10:40|| Front Page Top

#4 I think we're on the base of the curve in European military rearmament, and we'll see much more in the coming years. Two things drive this: the only way you can sell military equipment to others is to show you're willing to use it yourself; and Putin keeps trying to rebuild the old Soviet Union. There have only been one or two articles about it, but I've noticed that ALL the new NATO members (the former Warsaw Pact members Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, etc.) are all looking to either Europe or the United States for the military equipment they need to upgrade their existing forces. Most of central Europe was well behind the West in infrastructure, technology improvements, and environmental concerns when the Soviet Union imploded. It's taken them awhile to catch up, and many still aren't the equal of the Western nations. They're getting there, and I think they all understand the threat from the east. We're also seeing more and more non-NATO countries aligning their equipment and personnel with NATO standard procedures (because they work), and commit to operating with NATO in exercises and some peacekeeping operations (the Finns, the Irish, etc.). I feel that most of Europe is also beginning to recognize the growing threat of Islamism, and understands the need to mobilize against it. I think you'll see some major improvements in NATO military capabilities over the next 20 years or so.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2008-01-23 14:12|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2008-01-23 14:12|| Front Page Top

#5 I'll bet the EU component of NATo is saying" The Ukranians just joined. Let them go."

Personally, I'd like to see Szark walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

Posted by Dopey Thrinetch9037 2008-01-23 14:44|| 2008-01-23 14:44|| Front Page Top

#6 The longer you wait,the higher the butcher's bill will be.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-01-23 16:20|| 2008-01-23 16:20|| Front Page Top

#7 Lot's of nice thoughts, Old Pat, but Ima thinkin it's too late. And I see no evidence that this is anywhere near bottom. The Euro citizens may sense the threat, but the Euro politicians don't and certainly aren't willing to present the bill to their taxpayers. And maybe they're right. The Euros are getting old and need the muzzies for their old age like so many Americans need the Mexicans. Just finish off the next few years and let the children emigrate to Canada, Australia or Argentina.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-01-23 16:26|| 2008-01-23 16:26|| Front Page Top

#8 I think you'll see some major improvements in NATO military capabilities over the next 20 years or so.

Will twenty years be soon enough, Old Patriot?

Posted by trailing wife 2008-01-23 21:11|| 2008-01-23 21:11|| Front Page Top

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