In this podcast, I make the case that Donald J. Trump is not necessarily wrong to insist for a reassessment of NATO’s Article 5, given the fact that most NATO members–particularly those in Western Europe–contribute less than the baseline 2% GDP into the alliance. I also outline how, since the end of the Cold War, NATO has been quite feckless in resolving the issues that it decides to involve itself in, short of massive American backing. Lastly, I challenge the assertion that we have shared interests to the point that Americans are really willing to go to war with a nuclear armed Russia to defend most of the European states that think that they’re going to be protected by NATO (i.e. Ukraine, which despite not being a member of NATO seems to have an implicit belief that we will rush to their aid.) The reliance on NATO’s Article 5 has created a false illusion whereby countries refuse to invest in their own militaries, believing that America will bail them out at the end of the day. We might, but more probably, lest our national interests are truly at risk, we would do to them what was done to Georgia and Ukraine: ignore and obfuscate the problem away. Click here for the link to the YouTube site.
Brandon J. Weichert is a geopolitical analyst and author. His book, "Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower" is due out in Fall 2020 from Republic Book Publishers and addresses the need for a U.S. Space Force, the threats the United States faces from rising technological powers, such as China, in space, and where the United States should be moving in terms of space defense, exploration, and development. On top of that, Brandon is the founder and manager of The Weichert Report: World News Done Right, where he delivers unconventional reportage on some of the world's most important news stories. He is also a contributing editor at American Greatness and The American Spectator, and he contributes to Real Clear Public Affairs, Real Clear World, and Real Clear Defense regularly. Brandon's work on national security has also been republished in Yahoo! News, the New York Post, The Spectator US, and The National Interest. Brandon is a frequent guest on The John Batchelor Show where he comments on Chinese technology and trade policies. He travels the country briefing audiences from the military and tech investment community on matters related to technology and national security. Brandon is a recovering Congressional staffer who holds an M.A. in Statecraft and National Security Affairs from the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C. and he can be followed on Twitter @WeTheBrandon. Please be sure to follow The Weichert Report's Facebook page @theweichertreport, too. For any press or media inquiries email him at theweichertreport@gmail.com.
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