Both dave.s and Withywindle have asked whether FLG still thinks NATO should be abolished in light of the recent Russia expansionism. Short answer -- yes.
Longer answer --- In the short term, the existence of NATO seems to have benefit. FLG believes that the existence of NATO, however, allows the Europeans to free ride off of the US for their security. He believes that if NATO were abolished, then the EU could and would provide a similar protection for Eastern European countries. And given that this was explicitly under the EU, it would necessitate the Europeans increasing their defense spending to provide for the collective security of the EU. Moreover, as far as US involvement goes, there would be nothing precluding the US from sending some troops to Poland, etc, even in the absence of NATO.
So, to summarize, short term, it looks like NATO has value. Long term, NATO is still a crutch for the Europeans and doesn't really have much usefulness.
NATO delenda est.
On an entirely unrelated note, FLG was in a cab on the West Side Highway the other day when he saw a truck for Arethusa Farm & Dairy.
Longer answer --- In the short term, the existence of NATO seems to have benefit. FLG believes that the existence of NATO, however, allows the Europeans to free ride off of the US for their security. He believes that if NATO were abolished, then the EU could and would provide a similar protection for Eastern European countries. And given that this was explicitly under the EU, it would necessitate the Europeans increasing their defense spending to provide for the collective security of the EU. Moreover, as far as US involvement goes, there would be nothing precluding the US from sending some troops to Poland, etc, even in the absence of NATO.
So, to summarize, short term, it looks like NATO has value. Long term, NATO is still a crutch for the Europeans and doesn't really have much usefulness.
NATO delenda est.
On an entirely unrelated note, FLG was in a cab on the West Side Highway the other day when he saw a truck for Arethusa Farm & Dairy.