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Parent already excepted "formal" allies, so we're not even talking about France. Incidentally, France is unique among the nations of western and central Europe
by jessaustin 7y ago
Parent already excepted "formal" allies, so we're not even talking about France. Incidentally, France is unique among the nations of western and central Europe in spending more than 2% of GDP. Ukraine (and Russia) spends more, but that's kind of the point: Ukraine is one of the few nations that rationally fears external aggression. Taiwan is another such nation. They don't imagine we'll go to war with China for them, anymore than we went to war for Crimea or Georgia. In general, nations that spend more than 2% of GDP on the military are more concerned with internal enemies and local opportunities for plunder than with a real war with another nation. The world ain't perfect yet. Even so, lots of nations in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, etc. aren't afraid to spend reasonable amounts on armaments.