Iceland and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding today that sets the stage for a return of US troops to the Arctic island for the first time since 2006. Icelandic FM Lilja Alfredsdottir talked up a “steady rise in cooperation” between the two nations.
Throughout the Cold War, the US had a significant presence at the Keflavik Air Base, using it as a base of operations for surveillance flights against the Soviet Union. It was under US Navy jurisdiction from 1961-2006. The US left in 2006, but had been reducing its use of the base for years after the Cold War ended.
US officials seem to be keen to link their return to Iceland with ongoing tensions with Russia, saying the deployment shows America’s commitment to the defense of the remote, unthreatened island.
Congress has appropriated $21.4 million in its 2017 budget for upgrades to the base, with an eye toward stationing Boeing P8 Poseidon surveillance planes there. The planes are mostly used in anti-submarine operations.
Poor Iceland always ends up with some sorry governments. I wonder what the people have to say about this deal.
Sorry governments ? Oh, I don´t think so. A couple of days ago they elected a new president, a history professor, highly skeptical of the EU. He sounds like a good man. Iceland has stayed out of the EU so far ( a good choice ) but they are a NATO-member since 1951, when this organisation was totally different from what it is now. I guess the Keflavik-decision has to do with the NATO-membership ( can they refuse at all ? ) and maybe the citizens appreciate some new jobs.
Right now the Icelanders are totally obsessed with their successes in the football Championship in France. Their team managed to beat England ! That is an enormous sensation ! And now they will meet France, on Sunday. Please see this game. Iceland has a team with all white men with all Icelandic names. France on the other hand has a team with more blacks than white. I have to say that I find it somewhat strange , but well, I am not French. I am Swedish. But Iceland is what Europe used to be, France represents the changing Europe. Oh, I will of course cheer for Iceland, it will be like David against Goliath. And Icelands team has a great Swedish coach.
what difference does it make what color of skin they are? the president of iceland is a powerless position anyway, so it wont matter how much of a good man he is. this base opening is a joke
Well, I really mean homogeneity against heterogeneity. What are the advantages and disadvantages ? I am not sure I like the multi-culturalist evangelium. We have a lot of problems in Europe because of immigration. Brexit is just the first thing to happen because of it.
You have a lot of problems in Europe because your subservience to NATO keeps you from minding your own damn business. Those immigrants only exist because of y/our wars. They are the victims not the enemy. Treat them with kindness and dignity and thank god you don’t have to march across continents in there shoes.
It makes a great difference, Jim; simply, because it’s more than just skin color; there also are differences in average intelligence and impulse control. Blacks are aware that – on average – their IQs are lower than those of whites and Orientals, and that they’re far more impulsive. They’re able to see through the Liberal Establishment’s falsehoods, just by seeing the gated communities wherein they live.
The Establishment wants intermingling of the races, even when the races don’t, and that’s where conflicts arise.
Your knowledge on genetics is grossly outdated. Literally everything you just said has been scientifically disproven over the last century. Race mixing actually strengthens genetic traits and makes people stronger (not to mention better looking.) Racial purity just leads to inbreeding and genetic degradation.
And who’s forcing racial intermingling? Kids are f**king each other because it’s a hell of a lot more fun then burning crosses. We should all be so lucky.
Um… You’re even more of a racist.
Let’s see if the new president does something about the US base. I doubt it.
And yes, I’ll be rooting for Iceland.
I share your love for little Iceland but there success as a people has nothing to do with race. It has to do with size and transparency. Nations are better off small, regardless of race or political determination. Race is nothing more than a class construct used to divide the poor against themselves.
With that being said, I too will be rooting for Iceland against France for the same reason I rooted for Brexit. Small is beautiful and I’ll take beauty over bronze any day of the week.
The history professor might be a good man but if he had stood up to Washington, Washington would have labelled him the new Hitler and started to organise a “colour revolution” coup against his government. I’m sorry to say this but the current regime in Washington is no better than the Mafia.
Um… You’re a racist.
Iceland has always been a peaceful and neutral nation. It makes me very sad to see them rent themselves out to petty thugs like this.
Luckily Icelanders have always been a skeptical and democratically active people. They have thrown out whole governments before, armed with nothing but there voices. My hope is that they can do the same with this damnedable base.
I am disappointed in this agreement, but perhaps the Icelaners have their own reasons for allowing this to happen.
Maybe some good things will rub off on the Troops who will be stationed there.
Iceland should be the template for many Countries wishing to take back their Economies and Governments. Iceland is the little mouse that roared.
Cheers to the good People of Iceland!!!!!