3 ms·

NATO is definitely serving Western European interest. NATO is probably the major reason there has not been a land war against NATO members since WW2. Since the

by et2o 8y ago

NATO is definitely serving Western European interest. NATO is probably the major reason there has not been a land war against NATO members since WW2. Since the 1950s the Belgian military policy has been that it will do whatever is required of it as a NATO member.

ufmace 8y ago
This. I don't get this complaining about "NATO made us do it". NATO is a voluntary alliance, and they all signed up for a reason - defense against Russian aggression. That defense doesn't look like America does everything to keep the Russians away while everyone else sits on their butts. Everyone who wants that protection needs to step up and do their part. Doing their part does include purchasing modern aircraft that are capable of participating in missions in support of an overall strategy of air superiority.
- stunt 8y ago
  Not to mention, so far most of the NATO missions are about participating and helping in US wars on MiddleEast. And it is not only about military budget. But also the budget to deal with immigration issues after MiddleEast conflicts. I don’t think it is fair to blame NATO. They did their best so far and they deserve the support.
ptidhomme 8y ago
Well, while I can agree with this, it doesn't deny the fact that the US can use NATO for its defense industry interests. And they will. Which I mean, is okay, that's life and geopolitics. I'm not saying it's the primary purpose of it. But I think one should not be overly naive towards NATO.
- varjag 8y ago
  Goes both ways tho. The US military has been the major export client for Belgian arms industry.
- et2o 8y ago
  That's fair.
philwelch 8y ago
Though to be totally honest, Belgium could withdraw from NATO and still benefit from it, since any enemy would have to go through multiple NATO member states to even reach Belgium. France pulled this stunt once.

3 ms·

NATO is definitely serving Western European interest. NATO is probably the major reason there has not been a land war against NATO members since WW2. Since the

by et2o 8y ago

ufmace 8y ago
This. I don't get this complaining about "NATO made us do it". NATO is a voluntary alliance, and they all signed up for a reason - defense against Russian aggression. That defense doesn't look like America does everything to keep the Russians away while everyone else sits on their butts. Everyone who wants that protection needs to step up and do their part. Doing their part does include purchasing modern aircraft that are capable of participating in missions in support of an overall strategy of air superiority.
- stunt 8y ago
  Not to mention, so far most of the NATO missions are about participating and helping in US wars on MiddleEast. And it is not only about military budget. But also the budget to deal with immigration issues after MiddleEast conflicts. I don’t think it is fair to blame NATO. They did their best so far and they deserve the support.
ptidhomme 8y ago
Well, while I can agree with this, it doesn't deny the fact that the US can use NATO for its defense industry interests. And they will. Which I mean, is okay, that's life and geopolitics. I'm not saying it's the primary purpose of it. But I think one should not be overly naive towards NATO.
- varjag 8y ago
  Goes both ways tho. The US military has been the major export client for Belgian arms industry.
- et2o 8y ago
  That's fair.
philwelch 8y ago
Though to be totally honest, Belgium could withdraw from NATO and still benefit from it, since any enemy would have to go through multiple NATO member states to even reach Belgium. France pulled this stunt once.