@beckyromero Most of us are not thankful. In the event of an actual nuclear war, it means we would be the first to get hit because it would be much easier for Russia to target European defense installations than American ones. I am pretty sure I read about it being war-gamed to show that Europe and Russia would be wiped out but America would mostly escape.
@beckyromero It's is not the point I was making. Sigh.
Europe is in under more threat because of nuclear weapons, not less. It's also under more threat than America. Also, Russia does not have the conventional power to conquer Europe even if they wanted to, which they don't.
So no, this Brit is not thankful for a nuclear 'deterrent'.
Do you think Russia has the capacity to conquer Europe or even has intentions of doing that?
They do but for two things: NATO and absent that, the British and French nuclear deterrent.
But Russia isn't interested in conquering Portugal. Not even the Nazis attempted that. Nor did Germany have the capacity in 1936 to conquer as much as they did a few years later.
Most Europeans aren't even interested in fighting for their own freedom. Sounds not much different than the 1930s.
2015 WIN/Gallup International global survey:
And another thing, Neville. Can I call you Neville? Basing national defense strategy on what you THINK an adversary's intentions are has already proven foolhardy.
(as we did, too, concerning the Japanese in December 1941)
It is simpler for the Russians to move into each country as its economy falters and take it intact, adding its military to their own. Large scale conventional war is too expensive in the long term...@beckyromero
It's a ridiculous comparison, not least because Hitler had ambitions to expand into France, had Europe's best economy and best military. Russia is only interested in its own traditional sphere of influence.
Europeans don't want to fight for their country because we don't feel under threat. Its because we are not under threat. It like Texas being worried about invasion from Mexico.
@beckyromero If Russia goes through a highly improbable military build-uo and economic miracle and talk about Lebensraum, then I actually would be really worried. Its unlikely to happen though and there is no comparison ATM. If France did the same, I would also be worried.
What about the two nations (Modern Russia/ 30s Germany) and the two leaders (Hitler/Putin) are even analogous?
If Russia goes through a highly improbable military build-uo and economic miracle and talk about Lebensraum, then I actually would be really worried.
The trouble is that Neville realized that too late when Germany engaged in their economic group (you could say "miracle") and military build-up.
And not to exempt us from our own foolishness. The Washington Naval Conference called for by President Harding is what allowed Japan to quickly emerge as a naval power. (The 5:5:3 ratio, you guys, us and Japan)
@beckyromero Then perhaps Russia needs to be worried. America is currently involved in seven wars and had meddled in more elections than any other country in history...
