Summary
Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s nominee for Defense Commissioner, emphasized the need for increased European defense spending in response to Russian threats, rather than demands from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
At his confirmation hearing, Kubilius noted that Europe has boosted defense budgets since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
He stressed that intelligence suggests Russia could test EU or NATO resolve by the end of the decade, making enhanced military readiness essential for deterrence.
As much as I hate to hear about war spending increasing planet-wide, it’s definitely dawning on our allies that depending on the US for protection and support is no longer a tenable position. It might turn out to be a good thing that more countries develop a modern military apparatus, though, particularly as there are several Putin-type heads of state in the world.
particularly as there are several Putin-type heads of state in the world
One has even been recently elected, just not as cunning and rather more stupid.
Honestly. No country should have the military spending that the US does. It’s too much power in one place. I understand the cold war made it necessary though.
More nuclear warheads as well. Not saying that’s a good thing, but it seems to be the only real deterrent.
I keep hoping someone will slip a nuke or two to Palestine so that whole business can be stopped, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen.
Came here to say the exact same thing.
Yeah, our Kurdish allies learned the hard way not to depend on US support during Trump’s first term, and honestly, I’d love it if he pulls our country out of more wars, even if he does it for the wrong reasons. I’ve never supported the US being the policemen of the world.
The US isn’t in anything right now. It’s deployed (it always is), but not in active hostilities.
(Unless I’m missing something in Central or South America)
The US military is currently directly involved in fighting in Yemen and Somalia. It’s relatively small-scale, but it is happening
I mean, that we know of.
Clinton was fairly brilliant in branding his wars as ‘peacekeeping actions’ and Obama rebranded civilians as ‘enemy combatants’, so while yes it may be unofficial, we’re still essentially at war everywhere.
So how will you know if he changes anything?
That’s a good question, I think.
I know most people don’t, but I consume a few foreign news sources myself. It helps to lend a broader perspective on US governance, and with the US press running cover for fascists, it’s an increasingly valuable way to learn more about US events.
