German Defense Minister Ursula Von der Leyen has announced that her nation will increase military spending by $2 billion in 2017, and another $2.2 billion on top of that by 2020, in an effort to get closer to the 2% of GDP spending level the US is demanding of NATO members. Germany is currently spending just over 1.2% of its GDP, which still amounts to one of the top 10 militaries on earth.
NATO nations have been pushing to get the increases in with an eye toward selling President-elect Donald Trump on the idea that NATO is paying their fair share in the cost of the defense of Europe. Von der Leyen followed her announcement with a demand for Trump to make it clear what his “agenda” will be on foreign policy, insisting that Germany needs reliability.
Other officials have repeatedly insisted that Trump will remain committed to NATO no matter what, and have downplayed his comments calling the alliance obsolete. German officials have been particularly critical of Trump for his comments.
The big question mark on Trump’s position is US-Russia relations, as he’s made it clear he wants to improve ties with Russia, and end years of worsening hostilities, something which a number of European NATO nations are loudly opposed to, as they see a new Cold War as a guarantee of heavy US spending in Europe.
The military-industrial mafia will be pleased and I’m sure you will be handsomely rewarded Ursula. Of course never mind that this kind of stuff isn’t what the German people want, but if these morons keep this stuff up, the AfD might have a chance next elections.
Surprisingly, this may actually happen. Angela Merkel looked almost shoe in — but now, with Trump pretty much trashing EU, acknowledging the need for countries to preserve their identity, trashing the mindless refugee/migrant crisis — and pretty much putting Merkel on the same level as Putin, that is, somebody he may or may not get along with. Depends.
Angela Merkel made a mistake to lecture Trump after he got elected. Hosing Obama, she said some cutting things. Trump does not forget, and he never fails to repay the honor. And she just does not know how to stop, entering into tiff about cars. She is not paying attention – she cannot win with Trump — not by trying to out-Trump him.
Slow down, none of the other Nato countries too Trump seriously. How could they when he proclaimed on thing and then said the opposite the next day.
All this will be cleared up in a private phone call from Pence, teling them nothing has changed. Obviously.
Silly!
Well put. A new cold war would be a heaven for the slumping EU economies. So, instead of ramping it up — they are fearing Trump will have other ideas on how to spend taxpayers’ money. Time for them to invent another economic development plan.
No Bianca, this is no more complicated than the facts as you know them but are choosing to forget. Trump said he would disband Nato and then make other countries pay more, and ………………..
Fill in the blank.
Oh, Nato is obsolete, and ………………..
I would not call NATO obsolete . The North American terrorist organization is much worse than obsolete when they are now organized to destroy peace . Oh maybe peace is what NATO tries to make obsolete
You have to see it from her standpoint, she needs clarification on what stance she, and the rest of the Government, are to take. Imagine you get a new Department head who does not make it clear what he actually wants you to do, all you know is that he is not going to continue the same line that the old one took.
The German Government just needs clear orders and what the objective is, then they’ll fall into line, just like the decades previously.
First, Mr. Trump does not have “a plan.” He has talking points and campaign rhetoric but as of now, no plan. He doesn’t strike me as a “plan” maker. He is more apt to react to circumstances than manufacture them.
But, in the end, it’s all about money. “Spreading Democracy” and “The Peace Process” are red herrings meant for those who are not paying attention. Trump, if nothing else, has a nose for money. But, that’s just this old Curmudgeon’s opinion.
He already made himself clear, but she just doesn’t like it and is looking for a change.
No he didn’t John. He’s said a range of stupid things, all the way from disbanding Nato to forcing other countries to pay their share.
It’s going to be a little embarrassing for Trump to walk all his sh-t back but apparently Germany wants it done public. They’ll get a phone call from Pence instead would be my guess.
“the US is demanding of NATO members”
Why did author phrase it this way? Should have said: “they are obligated to spend per the NATO treaty”
The important thing about the German military is its extreme dysfunction today.
Planes can’t fly. Military vehicles can’t run. Ships can’t go to sea. Men are untrained. All of that, despite huge cuts in force structure, down to under 20% of what they had in the Cold War, and even that unready, despite spending a much larger fraction of GDP than 20% of their former level.
If they spend more without fixing any of that, it is useless. If they fix their structural problems without more spending, then that is fine.
Forbes 2014 stats show US military spending at 3.5% of GDP. That suggests that like Germany, we could easily cut the military budget in half and effectively defend this nation. Perhaps it’s time to split the military budget accounting so that 1.8% of our GDP covers truly defensive efforts, with everything else accurately described as offensive military activity – preparing to attack other countries to impose our will. If done, offensive activity might quickly get the ax, and the US military budget would be halved.