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> 2nd largest military in the world if they put it all together Military industrial capacity is Europe's main problem right now. I believe they're ramping up p

by y33t 2y ago

> 2nd largest military in the world if they put it all together Military industrial capacity is Europe's main problem right now. I believe they're ramping up production, but it's going to take years. They may end up having to buy the arms from the US in the meantime if they want to aid Ukraine. If it gets to that, the question is whether they give China some business.

rectang 2y ago
I LOL'd. Ruefully. Seriously, I'm wondering who is going to be a more dangerous geopolitical foe for Europe going forward, the US or China. The ascendant forces in the in the US are pro-Russia, and that's not likely to change in the near term. Unlike China, though, we haven't sold military hardware to Russia. Yet.
- mcv 2y ago
  I'm not so sure China is a threat to Europe. They're as far away from each other as they can possibly be. Sure, Europe is upset about China's human rights record, and their cheap manufacturing circumventing EU rules, and maybe also the economic influence China is trying to gain over other countries (Africa, central Asia), but it's not a threat to Europe itself, which Russia clearly is, and the US could become, if Trump decides to join Russia. If the US turns, Europe may have to ally with China.
e2le 2y ago
> buy the arms from the US in the meantime I'm not so sure that's a realistic option when there's US officials saying to allies they should buy less US equipment.[1] It doesn't inspire confidence. > A British defence figure, who is not part of the government, was told privately by US officials that it should “recalibrate” its reliance on US equipment. And then there's this. > They said that a US administration could put restrictions on kit from the US and that if countries are “deemed not to be doing what you are told you will suddenly find out missiles won’t fire and planes won’t fly. You have got to be careful.” When allies buy less US equipment, what happens to the US citizens employed in the defence industry? [1]: https://archive.ph/q2hgi https://archive.ph/q2hgi

by y33t 2y ago

rectang 2y ago

I LOL'd. Ruefully. Seriously, I'm wondering who is going to be a more dangerous geopolitical foe for Europe going forward, the US or China. The ascendant forces in the in the US are pro-Russia, and that's not likely to change in the near term. Unlike China, though, we haven't sold military hardware to Russia. Yet.

mcv 2y ago
I'm not so sure China is a threat to Europe. They're as far away from each other as they can possibly be. Sure, Europe is upset about China's human rights record, and their cheap manufacturing circumventing EU rules, and maybe also the economic influence China is trying to gain over other countries (Africa, central Asia), but it's not a threat to Europe itself, which Russia clearly is, and the US could become, if Trump decides to join Russia. If the US turns, Europe may have to ally with China.

e2le 2y ago

> buy the arms from the US in the meantime I'm not so sure that's a realistic option when there's US officials saying to allies they should buy less US equipment.[1] It doesn't inspire confidence. > A British defence figure, who is not part of the government, was told privately by US officials that it should “recalibrate” its reliance on US equipment. And then there's this. > They said that a US administration could put restrictions on kit from the US and that if countries are “deemed not to be doing what you are told you will suddenly find out missiles won’t fire and planes won’t fly. You have got to be careful.” When allies buy less US equipment, what happens to the US citizens employed in the defence industry? [1]: https://archive.ph/q2hgi https://archive.ph/q2hgi