Is 2.5% realistic to pay on defence?

The British defences are depleted and have been badly run down by the previous government.

Putin and Xi have found us napping, what must we must we do to protect our freedom?

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Richard65 · M

This was fundamentally an American project. Trump complained that Europe wasn't paying its way in defence of Western freedom (etc), as if the USA was charitably protecting everyone from the bullies. American Imperialism relies on pitching its tents on as much international territory as it can. It currently has 800 military facilities in 70 countries. That is an invaluable asset to the continuation of American Imperialism, the expansion of American political, economic, cultural, media, and military influence beyond the boundaries of the United States of America. Effectively, they want everyone to supply the land they need and then to pay 2.5% towards its expansion. That's why, in 2019, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that America would "deal" with socialist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn if he looked to win the election and become Prime Minister of the UK (and he meant "deal" with Corbyn). You're paying 2.5% to maintain America's influence over the running of your own country.

Northwest · M

@Richard65 America invented Imperialism?

Richard65 · M

@Northwest no, my point was that Starmer has promised to spend 2.5% GDP on defence in response to America complaining that Nato countries aren't fulfilling their financial commitments. The message is that if you want America to protect you, then you should pay the required 2.5%. America has military bases on territories throughout the globe so it can expand American Imperialism, not protect nations from the likes of Putin. Effectively, we will be paying 2.5% for the 'privilege' of allowing American bases on UK soil to expand American Imperialism. When socialist leader Jeremy Corbyn threatened to change that in 2019, the Americans worked hard with other interested parties to get rid of him. America was interfering in internal UK politics that had nothing to do with them.

Northwest · M

@Richard65 Pot calling kettle black? The UK has multiple overseas bases as well.

The UK is the original purveyor of Imperialism, and while the US is "leading" a resurgence of the Western alliance, the individual countries are not led in kicking and screaming.

The US does not have designs on the individual Western countries, but it does have an interest in stopping, or limiting, Eastern/China block countries from taking over. That's a common goal for all the Western alliance countries.

Richard65 · M

@Northwest I didn't defend our own horrendous fading empire. But America kicked us out because it didn't wish to be a colony. It then proceeded to colonise everywhere that might prove advantageous to its Imperial expansionism. If you think they're doing that to maintain freedom and democracy, then you haven't been paying attention. America was founded on the belief of liberty. The hypocrisy is palpable.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Northwest If you criticise imperialism in another country, it doesn't automatically make you a hypocrite. If you have the same standards for your own country (as I think Richard does) then this is consistent

Northwest · M

@Burnley123

If you criticise imperialism in another country, it doesn't automatically make you a hypocrite. If you have the same standards for your own country (as I think Richard does) then this is consistent

I am not saying that he's a hypocrite. I'm pointing out that the UK, France, Germany, etc. were not really forced to join the US, because they had a gun to their head. They did it, because they firmly believe in the direction the Western alliance is taking.

Take the situation in Gaza for instance. The UK did not unconditionally support the IDF, because the US forced them to. Same with France and Germany. All these countries had fighter jets shooting down Iranian drones, when Iran responded, and the UK's bases in Cypress and Lebanon, were buzzing like a hornet's nest under attack.