I’m not so sure the term ‘Ally’ means what it used to mate. There are trading agreements between nations and there’s an interest to protect that relationship but I don’t see troops standing hand in hand on these things necessarily. We have to appreciate the complexities of modern warfare and how much of the global economy The US and China control, before we can see who’s interests really do align. WW3 if it ever happens will begin in a Cyber environment primarily and as always Communication systems will be number one targets. There’s potentially far more damage caused in this environment than with nukes, given how finely balanced the global economy is, if China were to fall it would create the most devastating humanitarian crisis ever seen, and we have to look at how their framework of global customers would suffer as a result. Sanctions are the new nukes, so no matter what heavy artillery and Intercontinental Ballistic capability these countries have, we can rest assured that the world’s most powerful economy has manouvered itself into position strategically over many years in preparation for literally any attack.
I don’t think Trump believes in allies. He is all about Trump first, America second, the rest can go **** themselves. Allies to him are countries that will obediently fall into line with whatever his US is doing. That’s why he hates China. They’re too big and just as mental as him to be dictated to.
That's true. I used to think I lived in one of the least strategically interesting places in terms of any military strikes, sleepy old Cornwall with it's slow pace of life and fields full of cows. Then I realised that I live right on top of most important communications infrastructure between the US and UK, where intel communications are shared, and the stock exchange comms enter and leave the UK. If there ever was a WW3, I think I'd be one of the first to get vaporised.
No but that’s not too far away. GCHQ at Bude too. The US aren’t allowed to spy on their own people so they use that base and get us to do it instead. I’m further West, where all the main comms cables land. If I get vaporised, you can have my rock collection bro.
I agree that Trump doesn't see any country as an ally. Much like he doesn't see the Republicans as his party. Trump is all about Trump, and that means everyone falls into line. Slamming Canada right in front of their prime minister at the NATO meetings is very Trump. He openly stated they didn't do enough for NATO, in which Trudeau then had to argue Canada's case suddenly, and Canada does a damn lot for NATO. They have soldiers in Ukraine training, they provide equipment, they have troops in almost every nation that NATO operates in and contribute a lot to the operations. They are good allies. But Trump doesn't give a ****, he just wants America to look tough.
See I find that a ridiculous assessment. The yanks took a bloke out. Fine. They don’t want escalation as it’s not really in their interest to have a shooting war with men on the ground. They wanted the bloke dead which seems understandable. They will know Iran will want revenge. They have made a calculated gamble and in my opinion let them take revenge in a manner that causes them no harm. They had already moved their forces and didn’t use the patriot system. Why would they not use the system unless they were allowing them to not lose face.