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NATO. Do you know what this stands for? It had been so long that I actually had to think about it for a minute. It's been around since the 40's. Is it really needed and do we (US) really benefit by being a member?
It was originally established to help defend Europe against the Russians, and to defend the United States against the Russians in case they attacked us.
It turned into just another alliance for us I believe. I get confused on the United Nations and the NATO role in the world. The two seem to contradict one another, but maybe thats just me.
It was originally established to help defend Europe against the Russians, and to defend the United States against the Russians in case they attacked us.
It turned into just another alliance for us I believe. I get confused on the United Nations and the NATO role in the world. The two seem to contradict one another, but maybe thats just me.
The UN is a largely powerless organization which is rather a mess. Many nations there are basically protected by sanction by one of the members with veto power. Many reasons why they do this but generally economic and political. (Everyone abuses the UN)
NATO is quite effective, membership is a HUGE deal for some of the European nations as you are pretty much safe from attack. If you study European history this is not farfetched. So of the recent Russian actions would be examples. The benefit to the US is that we get a lot of clout with those countries and also military sales as there are NATO standards for equipment. I'm not sure if this nets out positively though.
The UN was never meant as a defense organization. It has turned inot nothing but a debate society . It's best role is to help in disasters like food shortages.NATO was a common defense oraganization meant to counter the russian threat and has been very successful.
NATO has the same flaw as the UN, in that the US is expected to foot the lions share of expense and commitment. Without the US, NATO is a paper tiger. It was originally formed to stand against the Warsaw Pact, read the USSR, and these days it's mission is rather ambiguous. The European countries involved do not have what could honestly be called any offensive capability, talking conventional, not nuclear here. NATO would be entirely dependent on the US for any large operations or deployment of conventional forces, such as troops, tanks, helos, attack or fighter aircraft etc. Just like theUN is. Do I , personally, see a 'benefit' to the US continuing this relationship? Not really. Only if the other members would commit to a more active role, which is not likely to happen. I have to cast a jaundiced eye on putting our people under command, or at the disposal of, of most of the countries in NATO.
No not really. because it not only take money and committemnt but air space;bases and otherr logistics to have the success NATO has had. of course since WWII both frnace( who was never really committed to NATO) and england ar4e a shadow of their fomrer self's militarily. But the combined committemnts is necessary. NATO had been perhaps the most sucessful alliance of all time IMO. Of course the US not only committs the most but has the most control and power within NATO.The money the US has spent is much better spent in NATO than what we spend with the UN;which is all politics and pretty useless now days.
Actually, NATO stands for North American Theater Owners. It is a trade organization for movie theatres, and had Jack Valenti as the spokesperson for a number of years.
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