Do we need NATO?

[Smit]

I personally believe having allies is a good thing. It's worked for us for a long time now.

It seems Trump disagree though, so we're kinda faced with a future where we're not likely to be as influential in the alliance as we have historically been.

Tne rest of the world thinks we're a rogue nation now, and it's unlikely they'll ever trust us the way they have in the past.

So what do you think? Should we just drop out and go it on our own?

Fallout from the Iran war may include a NATO where the U.S. is no longer its leader

[Incogneeto]

No.

[YoDoug]

Based on the liked article, it would seem NATO needs the US more than the US needs NATO.

IMO, the US is broke, we cannot sustain the debt we are running now. It's time to tell all the countries mooching of the US tax payers that it's time for them to support themselves.

[TylerBeer]

Based on the liked article, it would seem NATO needs the US more than the US needs NATO.

IMO, the US is broke, we cannot sustain the debt we are running now. It's time to tell all the countries mooching of the US tax payers that it's time for them to support themselves.

Maybe the US should stop paying to start wars

[YoDoug]

Maybe the US should stop paying to start wars

Yes, that too.

[Newbeeee™]

Maybe the US should stop paying to start wars

Definition of "war" of course.... "colour revolutions are not war"!!!!
Last count over the last 10 years that Gemini admits to....



     UNITED STATES MILITARY & COVERT INTERVENTIONS (2016-2026)
======================================================================
COUNTRY / CONFLICT      | TYPE & MECHANISM           | COST TO DATE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Iran War (2026)         | Overt/Covert: Strikes,     | $13B-$17B+

                        | cyber sabotage, blockades  |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Venezuela (2025-2026)   | Covert Regime Shift: Naval | $4.7 Billion

                        | seizures, CIA leadership   | (Since Aug 2025)
                        | targeted operations        |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Israel-Hezbollah/Syria  | Overt Proxy Support: Air   | $12B+
(2024-Present)          | defenses, intelligence     |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaza / Israel           | Overt Proxy: Ammunition,   | $21.7B+
(2023-Present)          | FMF grants, diplomacy      |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Houthis / Red Sea       | Overt Military: Air        | $9.6B-$12B
(2023-Present)          | strikes, naval operations  |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ukraine / Russia        | Overt Proxy: Weapons, cash | $175B total
(2022-Present)          | aid, battlefield intel     | ($127B direct)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Drones           | Black Budget Proxy: 127e   | $100 Million
(Ongoing)               | irregular force control    | annually
----------------------------------------------------------------------
North-West Africa       | Black Budget Proxy: 127e   | $310 Million
(2017-Present)          | clandestine combat units   |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Great-Power Proxies     | Black Budget Proxy: 1202   | Classified
(Ongoing)               | irregular war vs China/Rus |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Civil Chaos      | Soft Power Interference:   | $1.3 Billion
(Ongoing)               | NED/USAID regime pressure  | annually
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mexico Cartel War       | Overt Assistance: Intel    | $4B+
(Ongoing)               | sharing, tactical aid      |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Somalia Civil War       | Overt/Covert: Air strikes, | $2.25B-$3.25B
(Ongoing)               | 127e clandestine proxy ops |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Syrian Civil War        | Overt/Covert: SDF funding, | $15B-$20B
(2014-Present)          | irregular war, troops      | (Post-2016)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Iraq Operations         | Overt Military: Anti-ISIS, | $40B-$50B
(2014-Present)          | base defense, local training| (Post-2016)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Afghanistan War         | Overt Military: Active     | $2.3 Trillion
(2001-2021)             | combat, state-building     | ($300B 16-21)

[TylerBeer]

Cost of doing business they'll say

[jstell]

Cost of doing business they'll say

It's why our gasoline is cheaper than most of the rest of the world.  What they pay in fuel taxes we pay in general taxes that bloat our military to give us the appearance of inexpensive fule.

[YoDoug]

It's why our gasoline is cheaper than most of the rest of the world.  What they pay in fuel taxes we pay in general taxes that bloat our military to give us the appearance of inexpensive fule.

Typical lib response. In the real world there are many factors that affect gas costs in America that benefit our prices versus other countries. Boiling the issue down to one thing may catch you some triggered low EQ dem voters, but anyone that can think critically knows better.

[jstell]

but anyone that can think critically knows better.

Good, then all the Trumpies should go along with it as well.  He just has to say so.  And since he's been so keen on saying the quiet parts out loud, it shouldn't be long til we nationalize Iran's oil just like we did (are doing) for Venezuela.  I'm going to guess there's a kalshi market or three running this prediction right now.

[YoDoug]

Good, then all the Trumpies should go along with it as well.  He just has to say so.  And since he's been so keen on saying the quiet parts out loud, it shouldn't be long til we nationalize Iran's oil just like we did (are doing) for Venezuela.  I'm going to guess there's a kalshi market or three running this prediction right now.

Except nothing has actually happened. America has not nationalized Venezuela's oil production. Currently the state owns 60% of venture and the other 40 is a joint venture with outside companies.

The fact that you think that happened tells us a lot.

[jstell]

The fact that you think that happened tells us a lot.

Yanking your chain.

I forgot, orange turd tried to hand it over to US companies, but they are not interested in investing in the overly decayed infrastructure.  So he just hijacked a handful of their tankers on the open seas.
I wonder if they will think Iran infrastructure is worth it after we blow it up or force a permanent capacity reduction with the embargo causing wells to be taken offline.

[Newbeeee™]

Yanking your chain.

I forgot, orange turd tried to hand it over to US companies, but they are not interested in investing in the overly decayed infrastructure.  So he just hijacked a handful of their tankers on the open seas.
I wonder if they will think Iran infrastructure is worth it after we blow it up or force a permanent capacity reduction with the embargo causing wells to be taken offline.

So Trump is now also a pirate?
I dunno how he finds the time to do all this everything on his own....

[Incogneeto]

So Trump is now also a pirate?
I dunno how he finds the time to do all this everything on his own....

Marco is doing a Lot!!!

[jstell]

Marco is doing a Lot!!!

https://x.com/iam_kristy40/status/2008943141861351537