Restraint

Keep your friends and try to make more. Who knows what benefits will come from networking? 8)

Because the future is uncertain. Its hard to remake an alliance that took so much to put together in the first place.

I think it was George Washington who cautioned us to stay out of entangling alliances?

I think it was George Washington who cautioned us to stay out of entangling alliances?

Yes, he did. NATO however is different. NATO provides an open forum for 26 countries, which is less entangling and capable of more action than the United Nations. I believe we should expand it as much as possible, even adding Russia into the organization.

So instead of entangling allainces you prefer US-dominated alliances ?

Or no alliances at all - if I ever suggested any such “US-dominated alliances.”

Yes, he did. NATO however is different. NATO provides an open forum for 26 countries, which is less entangling and capable of more action than the United Nations.

Less entangling as in? Yes… my history is dumb… :oops:

Well, what Washington was really warning against was an involvement in the affairs of Europe. At the time, we were a young, weak nation who barely pulled through a war. France and Britain both tried to absorb us into their own alliances. Washington warned against a conflict with Britain, as we might not win a second war with them. He also warned that an alliance with France would lead to a conflict with Britain. Many of his supporters were in favor of an alliance with Britain, though Jefferson and others warned that this would lead to British domination of the Americas, us becoming a colony once again.

That wasn’t exactly what I was asking. :)

OOPS! :oops:
Restraint!
What’s that? :-?

Maybe the leaders who met in the Azores represent the
Permanent Members of the Security Council of the
New World Order!

Spain… #3 Power. 8)

Interesting that Americans want to once again slash down their military and pull out their troops. I guess it’s the American isolationist ideas kicking in.

Dismantling NATO would mean a reduction in anti-terrorist movements in Europe. The French, Germans, Italians, and British have all arrested scores of terrorists, and in some cases even put them on trial.

We’re not defending Europe, because they are not threatened. Nato is a way to keep the European countries united and talking. the EU is too young to do this.

Not to mention, leave Nato and the entire state department will have a fit. Sean Hannity (or was it Rush, can’t remember) predicted the entire senior leadership of the State Department would resign.

Yanny, why does NATO have to be europe to fight terrorism? I’m sure international law enforcement does a good job. You’re not implying that North America must keep troops in Europe to ensure that Europe does it’s part are you? How exactly does a base with lots of tanks and fighters planes fight terrorism in Berlin?

You say “The French, Germans, Italians, and British have all arrested scores of terrorists, and in some cases even put them on trial” as if this deserves some sort of special recognition. Do you think a gold star or pat on the head is enough?

Nato is not there to keep european countires together, if anything, it drives them apart. Nato was in europe to protect it against the soviet union, ergo it’s not needed anymore. Europe is too young to take care of itself? My god it’s over 500 years old, how old does one have to be to take care of oneself?

Yanny, once again you make wild allegations that Nato is required to fight terrorism and yet offer nothing to back this up. Lots of countries are fighting terrorism without being in Nato.

BB

Fair enough RE: EU being young. I’m not sure it’s fair to use the age of the EU, after all it is an economic union and was never meant as a political or military union. France would never allow the US to have power to Veto their actions, that is why of ALL NATO members, France is considered the junior partner as it pulled out of the NATO planning commitee. France doesnt’ want to be constrained by NATO but then complains it can’t constrain NATO. Why is it always France that feels so special? We have a term for it, it’s called little-man syndrome. They just can’t stand it that they aren’t a world power anymore.

BB