Obama to Cameron: maintain UK defence spending or weaken Nato

[Karmadillo]

We need our endless war. Without it, people begin talking peace dividends and social spending and other wasteful expenditures. Let's hope Cameron caves. Maybe if we ramp up things in Ukraine, he will see the folly of defense cuts.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/11403519/Obama-to-Cameron-maintain-UK-defence-spending-or-weaken-Nato.html

Obama to Cameron: maintain UK defence spending or weaken Nato
US President warns David Cameron that if Britain fails to meet its 2 per cent of GDP defence spending target, it will set a bad example to other European nations

Barack Obama has told David Cameron that Britain must stick to its Nato spending target, or set a damaging example to its European allies.

In a blunt warning not to cut the UK defence budget, the US President personally insisted to the Prime Minister that a failure to hit the 2 per cent of GDP spending target would undermine the military alliance.

The American President made the direct appeal during private meetings when the Prime Minister visited Washington last month.

Mr Obama’s intervention highlights growing US concern that its main military partner will imminently fall below the alliance target, and Britain’s Armed Forces face more austerity cuts after the election.

Military leaders fear the Treasury will try to claw back a fresh £1 billion a year from the Ministry of Defence budget to try to fill Britain’s stubborn budget deficit.

<edit>

One source said Mr Obama had warned the Prime Minister last month that “if Britain doesn’t spend 2 per cent on defence, then no one in Europe will.”

more...

[BeyondGeography]

1. This is what it's about...not endless war

America is increasingly frustrated that it is shouldering too much of the burden for defending Europe and wants European nations to “step up to the plate”.

[Karmadillo]

2. If European nations don't see the need to "step up to the plate" to the

Last edited Wed Feb 11, 2015, 12:12 PM - Edit history (1)

degree the US and its "defense" industry think appropriate, it could be because they've considered the costs and benefits and correctly concluded it's possible to spend too much on defense. Maybe the US should consider stepping back from the plate. Possibly a less well-funded NATO would be a NATO a little less aggressive and a little more defensive.

[BeyondGeography]

3. Until the next time a joint US/NATO action is required

A weaker NATO means more go-it-alone for us. Whether you accept the dynamic or not, events in the Ukraine and the Middle East show the need for a common response. Europe can take a step back not because it sees less of a need, but because they suspect we can be counted on for OTT defense spending eternally. Obama, who would like to free as many dollars he can for non-defense spending, is saying, "no."

[Karmadillo]

4. Maybe more go-it-alone would mean more go-it-less.

It might encourage reduced imagining of Russian aggression in Ukraine and fewer chaos missions to nations such as Libya. And, better yet, Americans might find there's something to be said for less military spending and more domestic spending on schools and infrastructure. Joint action, when necessary, would still be possible with a less excessively funded NATO.

[former9thward]

7. Let's hope Cameron rejects Obama's "advice".

Why should the UK spend itself into bankruptcy just because the U.S. is stupid enough to do that?

[The2ndWheel]

5. It's been a setup everyone has liked

The US is the developed world's military, except the US taxpayer is the only one paying for it. It's a strain, but it does keep other countries from being able to say no to the US, which we like. European countries have been able to spend so much on social programs because the US taxpayer is paying for the developed world's military.

If one side or the other doesn't like that setup anymore, it'll make things a little more interesting.

[pampango]

6. True. A lot of people complain that European countries need to spend more on their own defense and

stop relying so much on the American military. Frankly I don't like to see anyone spend more on defense.

[Karmadillo]

8. Interesting video on the cost of defense spending.

This was going around a few days ago, so you might have already seen it. Worth your five minutes if you haven't.