UK urged to spend Afghan withdrawal savings on defence

[alp227]

Source: guardian

The UK and other European countries must use the money saved by withdrawing from Afghanistan to re-equip their military and help reverse worrying cuts in defence spending, the American ambassador to Nato will warn on Tuesday.

Ivo Daalder said if Europe did not invest in new capabilities, its over-reliance on America would continue at a time when Washington had made the far east and China its new strategic priority.

"If we don't start soon in investing in those capabilities then the gap between the US and the rest is going to grow. And if it is bad now, then it will be worse. If we have problems, they will be even worse."

The ambassador's remarks come as the UK and the US prepare to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan in 2013 in advance of the deadline to end all combat operations by the end of 2014.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/dec/31/uk-afghan-withdrawal-savings-defence

[PSPS]

1. "the American ambassador to Nato will warn on Tuesday."

Yes, never mind those homeless people on your streets or the sick and elderly suffering on a daily basis due to "austerity." You must keep feeding the military machine which, coincidentally, is comprised mostly of American companies who dutifully launder a portion of your money into "campaign contributions" in Washington.

[daleo]

2. The military industrial complex never has enough

Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more!

The immortal words of John Fogerty.