U.S. calls for NATO members to increase defense spending are met with resistance. What do you think the U.S. response should be?

2015-06-21T07:25:56-04:00

Calls by US Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James that NATO members increase defense spending have met with support, but also criticism that the US fails to understand Europe's economic and political difficulties.

James made the impassioned plea in a June 17 keynote speech in Brussels in which she cautioned against the dangers of cutting defense budgets at a time when NATO and the West face an assortment of global security threats.

The UK government has been criticized over its failure to meet NATO guidelines and commit to spending 2 percent of its GDP on defense beyond the end of this financial year.

While not naming any NATO or EU countries, James urged NATO members to resist pressures to cut defense spending, adding, "Indeed, rather than cutting defense budgets I would argue that spending should be increased."

A UK government spokesman said, "When we came into government in 2010 we faced a massive budget deficit, including a £38 billion defense black hole. We had to make difficult decisions to turn that around and balance the budget.

"Britain's £34 billion a year defense budget is now the second biggest in NATO and the largest in the EU. That means our armed forces can play an active role across the world and we are investing in the latest military equipment. We are meeting the 2 percent NATO target this year. Decisions for spending in 2016/17 and beyond are for the spending review.

"We can only have strong, well-funded armed forces if we have a strong economy. Our manifesto commitments will ensure the shape and power of our armed forces by maintaining the size of the regular armed forces; increasing the equipment budget by 1 percent above inflation every year; and building four new Successor ballistic missile submarines."

The UK Independence Party (UKIP), which polled 4 million votes in the recent British general election, criticized the US for expecting financially stricken Eurozone nations such as Greece to increase defense spending.

"However, it appears that Mrs. James, like the rest of the Obama administration, is unaware of the economically devastating effects of the Eurozone on many NATO members.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/defense/policy-budget/budget/2015/06/20/nato-spending-us-air-force-deborah-lee-james-russia-islamic-state/28919153/

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jun 21 at 2015 9:23 AM

2015-06-21T09:23:15-04:00

The US response should be simple. We will continue to fulfill all of our NATO treaty obligations but we will no longer contribute to the defense of NATO at a higher rate than the European countries of NATO. The US has subsidized the defense of NATO for decades to the point where American taxpayers are paying for what European taxpayers are not willing to pay for. Why should the US care more about the defense of Europe than Europeans do?

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 21 at 2015 9:28 AM

2015-06-21T09:28:31-04:00

Just because the US spends nearly HALF of the entire world's total on defense, doesn't mean others should...perhaps this could be a reason so many countries hate America and want to harm us.

The biggest spenders are always right because they spend the most....just don't expect the US to continue to pay the bills Europeans Nations will not.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 9:35 AM

2015-06-21T09:35:11-04:00

With the cutbacks in the US and a major player in NATO funding, I'm sure that the NATO allies are particularly used to having their hands in the cookie jar. And due to the "economic and political difficulties" in the EU while Russia and China build their militaries, I'm sure they are feeling some anxiety. It appears to me that our new foreign policy is one of abandonment and withdrawal.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 21 at 2015 10:10 AM

2015-06-21T10:10:51-04:00

NATO is a one way street everyone calls, we answer. I think we should stop picking up the phone. How many of our NATO "allies" responded after 9/11 to our needs?

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jun 23 at 2015 5:58 AM

2015-06-23T05:58:29-04:00

The Europeans will do as little as they can each get away with and spend the rest of their time pointing fingers at other NATO members. If they cannot agree that the protection and defense of their union is a priority then they risk having it crumble and possibly be overrun by more aggressive nations.

If they thought the risks were higher they would be spending like it was. Right now, some are getting away with not spending in trying economic times. The economic concerns will stop only when the first tank rolls across someone's border. That is one of the lessons we should have learned in that area of the world.