The recent attempts by the US to urge its allies to boost their combat roles in S.Afghanistan has both puzzled and antagonised some NATO members, who see it as unconstructive and driven mainly by Americas domestic politics.

In a rather testy answer to US Defence Secretary Robert Gates demands for more combat troops, Germany has made it clear it is doing all it can in N.Afghanistan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7223559.stm

If troops are ever again needed in Europe as they have been on other occasions I hope the United States tells the Europeans it just can't bring itself to help out.

If troops are ever again needed in Europe as they have been on other occasions I hope the United States tells the Europeans it just can't bring itself to help out.
Your forgetting America isnt weak like these hanger-oner's.

NATO is a one way street.

If troops are ever again needed in Europe as they have been on other occasions I hope the United States tells the Europeans it just can't bring itself to help out.
But they're already helping! They're not refusing to help, they're just saying that they can't afford to help more. I don't see anything wrong with that at all.

You might want to check the terms of germany's 'contribution'. They're hiding up north, not allowed to fight.

DF,

Look at the numbers. Europe, other than GB is sending token forces.

In the spirit of the European commitment to the fight in Afghanistan the U.S. should send a platoon of soldiers if Europe ever again needs our help. If asked for more we should say, "We already have troops there.", and not send any more.

DF,

Look at the numbers. Europe, other than GB is sending token forces.

In the spirit of the European commitment to the fight in Afghanistan the U.S. should send a platoon of soldiers if Europe ever again needs our help. If asked for more we should say, "We already have troops there.", and not send any more.
Well, Frogger, my views on foreign policy approach isolationist, so I certainly wouldn't have a problem with that.

The recent attempts by the US to urge its allies to boost their combat roles in S.Afghanistan has both puzzled and antagonised some NATO members, who see it as unconstructive and driven mainly by Americas domestic politics.

Making demands only makes us look petulant and desperate, which only highlights our own failures in the middle east that led to this situation in the first place.

Making demands only makes us look petulant and desperate, which only highlights our own failures in the middle east that led to this situation in the first place.

When you type things like this it makes you look uninformed. If it was just the US you might have a point. But the Canadians, Dutch and Danes want NATO to send more because those countries are the ones (along with the US) bearing all the casualities. They feel they are bearing brunt of the battle.

Making demands only makes us look petulant and desperate, which only highlights our own failures in the middle east that led to this situation in the first place.


Shut up, dharma. Your ignorance is abysmal. The U.S. was not making demands. It was making requests, requests that were denied.

Sending more troops to that region would be a very sensitive area for the White House at the moment, and may damage any Republican candidates chances of being elected, maybe the euro boys had a point.

Since terrorism affects European countries as much as it does the U.S. viz. Spain, England, it would behoove the members of the European community to be a bit more active in combatting it.

Maybe-tho in Spains case,once they pulled the plug, they weren't attacked.
So I guess the Spanish people are happy enough.

As for the UK, surely they only trail after the US to stay in the game.
You dont believe they actually like Americans do ya.

Their all happy to sit back and allow the Yanks to do the donkey work Im afraid.

The UK definitely does their share... Keep in mind that they have so many fewer people than we do; they really can't afford to send as many troops even if they wanted to.

When you type things like this it makes you look uninformed.

When you type things like this it makes you look uninformed, petty and childish.

From the article (that doesn't mention the danes, dutch or canadians, by the way):
The recent attempts by the US to urge its allies to boost their combat roles in southern Afghanistan has both puzzled and antagonised some Nato members, who see it as unconstructive and driven mainly by America's domestic politics.

In a rather testy answer to US Defence Secretary Robert Gates' demands for more combat troops, Germany has made it clear it is doing all it can in northern Afghanistan.

I don't think any other country is going to be keen to commit any more to Afghanistan or Iraq until we have better plans for realistically dealing with the situation instead of pretending it is a never ending war like we are now.

Sending more troops to that region would be a very sensitive area for the White House at the moment, and may damage any Republican candidates chances of being elected, maybe the euro boys had a point.

Not! They've already committed to sending 3200 more troops.

When you type things like this it makes you look uninformed, petty and childish.

From the article (that doesn't mention the danes, dutch or canadians, by the way):

Precisely the point. Your 'knowledge', such that it is:rolleyes:, comes from one article yet your willing to opine about the US' petulant attitude. I guess now you'll be writing about the petulant attitude of the canadians, british, dutch. Right?

I don't think any other country is going to be keen to commit any more to Afghanistan or Iraq until we have better plans for realistically dealing with the situation instead of pretending it is a never ending war like we are now.

News flash! It's now NATO's war. :rolleyes:

News flash! It's now NATO's war. :rolleyes:
Looks like some nations are more enthusiastic than others.

First they said 'no problem' to CIA secret prisons.

Then they said 'no problem' to a US missile shield.

Now their attacking other NATO countries for not doing enough.

I can understand Poland doing all it can to break away from the dominence of Russia, but shit.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7227663.stm

Robert Gates has thrown down the gauntlet to NATO countries.
However some NATO nations are reluctant to engage in Afghanistan.

Problem being,they arent satisfied that the mission there is to defeat AQ,
more a regime change. Not that anyone would wish to have the Taliban with their stone age beliefs, but Afghanistan may well turn out to make Iraq look like a playground.
That country has never been,what we would call a normal society, never been conquered by a western power, I think euro countries are waiting to see who wins the next election before committing or not committing as the case may be.

I think euro countries are waiting to see who wins the next election before committing or not committing as the case may be.

I think you're absolutely right on this point, paul; and I don't blame them for waiting. Afghanistan is not a place you want to fight a protracted war. The Afghanis have a long history of fighting invaders to a standstill.

I think you're absolutely right on this point, paul; and I don't blame them for waiting. Afghanistan is not a place you want to fight a protracted war. The Afghanis have a long history of fighting invaders to a standstill.
They should, because the only thing keeping Europe from being overrun by Russians, Arabs, et al is America's military might!

How much of America's foreign policy amounts to a protection racket?

They should, because the only thing keeping Europe from being overrun by Russians, Arabs, et al is America's military might!

I got news for you Nap, Europe is already overrun by Russians,Arabs and everyone else, your starting to sound like one of those Republican politicans firing out the bullshit at every turn.

Haha, 'twas sarcasm, paul. I was funnin' ya!

Originally Posted by dharmabum
When you type things like this it makes you look uninformed, petty and childish.

Precisely the point.

Yeah, thats what I thought. :rolleyes:

Haha, 'twas sarcasm, paul. I was funnin' ya!
Good man Nap-thought youd moved over to the dark side there

Remember, Paul, "Many a truth is said in jest."

Indeed.

side note: Thought you were heading over to Ft Lauderdale for dinner.