Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that in talks with NATO nations later this week, he will urge those nations to contribute more to the US deployment in Saudi Arabia, including paying more for the thousands of US troops there.
Though this appears to be chiefly about money, Esper also suggested NATO
members should send ships and warplanes to the region to support Saudi
Arabia. The US deployment is chiefly about threatening Iran.
It’s not clear on what basis the US could demand NATO involvement, as
nether defending Saudi Arabia nor threatening Iran are anything to do
with the NATO treaty’s intentions, and the whole situation is far afield
of the North Atlantic.
An even bigger question that’s sure to be asked is whether the US
actually intends to turn a profit on this venture. President Trump is
already claiming that Saudi Arabia is paying the cost in full of the deployment of US troops, so it’s absurd to also suggest NATO nations pay the US as well.
Such idiots that think who pays for US troops is an issue. They don’t belong there no matter who pays.
“…so it’s absurd to also suggest NATO nations pay the US as well.”
Depends on how you look at it. Trump uniquely sees these previously parasitic relations in an entirely new light. Why go for a new arrangement that is revenue-neutral? Why not go for revenue-positive? The US is providing a vital service — military protection — to these former parasites, er, allies. That’s not at all smart business. If the rest of the US economy is at a competitive disadvantage, then make up the deficit by charging top-dollar — which is to say EVEN MORE — for keeping the deadbeats safe.
Some will object. (But then they object to everything Trump does.) They will say”That’s not the way it’s done. So unpresidential!” But that’s precisely the point. It’s the Trump Doctrine: “Pay up. We’re not your bitch anymore.” (Except for Israel of course.)
“We are not your bitch anymore” ..well ok, the troops are there, anyone seen any checks from Saudi Arabia? Anyone seen a cost estimate for their stay ? If they get wounded or hurt, who pays for that ? As far as I can see, expecting accounting from spanky without an attorney is pointless..
To say that NATO isn’t paying enough is not the point. The point is that we shouldn’t be in NATO.
How is this a NATO operation without it being an attack on a NATO member?
Saudis can fend for themselves.
What would be the specific NATO obligation to engage in a military conflict with Iran other than a false flag event?
Iran probably wouldn’t attack the US except as a retalitory measure.
Trump can ( and we hope ) take all the costs and more from Saudis, so they become unable to generate more Wahhabi terrorists and unable to kill more Yemen innocent people.