[cardcrimson]

I think Trump supports NATO, he just wants the Euros to support it as well, and to the amount they agreed to. So folks call it "Nativism" or "Partisanship". Perhaps it is, but other countries have taken advantage of the American benevolence for a long, long time. 

In many areas, like NATO, the UN, the WHO, he's trying to put an end to the "bend and grab" policy of his predecessors, and it's hard to argue that.

Well cardcrimson, I will argue that. Trump (and probably 99% of "America") doesn't get it. We don't support NATO because we love the other member states. Yes, we do have cultural and political ties to essentially all of them, and we do need them in the global marketplace. And yes, we do probably "love" them. But the reason we support NATO today is because we would rather fight Russia on the Vistula, or, failing that, the Oder, or the Rhine, or the Meuse as opposed to the Hudson. And yes, Der Bundeswehr is a national disgrace. But we don't support NATO because we are nice guys. It is totally self interest.

The confrontational approach that the present administration has chosen is IMHO exactly the wrong way to attack the problem. The peoples of Europe need to step up and help. The way to do that is go public with criticism of their readiness that appeals directly to the nation, not the politicians. Warn Macron, Merkle et al that you are going to do so, and then point out to the people that 1.5 Panzer Divisions isn't going to cut it.

I apologize, I wasn't clear enough. 

You are correct, we support NATO purely selfishly and for protection against the Russian threat (perhaps even the Chinese). That said, prior administrations failed to get the fellow NATO parties to pay their agreed upon commitments. The diplomatic approach failed, the appeals to their readiness fell on deaf ears. Trump called the Euros bluff, if you don't pay what you agreed to, we're out, and you're on your own. Unconventional and ballsy approached, but it seemed to work, didn't it? After all, you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.

[cardcrimson]

I think Trump supports NATO, he just wants the Euros to support it as well, and to the amount they agreed to. So folks call it "Nativism" or "Partisanship". Perhaps it is, but other countries have taken advantage of the American benevolence for a long, long time. 

In many areas, like NATO, the UN, the WHO, he's trying to put an end to the "bend and grab" policy of his predecessors, and it's hard to argue that.

Well cardcrimson, I will argue that. Trump (and probably 99% of "America") doesn't get it. We don't support NATO because we love the other member states. Yes, we do have cultural and political ties to essentially all of them, and we do need them in the global marketplace. And yes, we do probably "love" them. But the reason we support NATO today is because we would rather fight Russia on the Vistula, or, failing that, the Oder, or the Rhine, or the Meuse as opposed to the Hudson. And yes, Der Bundeswehr is a national disgrace. But we don't support NATO because we are nice guys. It is totally self interest.

The confrontational approach that the present administration has chosen is IMHO exactly the wrong way to attack the problem. The peoples of Europe need to step up and help. The way to do that is go public with criticism of their readiness that appeals directly to the nation, not the politicians. Warn Macron, Merkle et al that you are going to do so, and then point out to the people that 1.5 Panzer Divisions isn't going to cut it.

I apologize, I wasn't clear enough. 

You are correct, we support NATO purely selfishly and for protection against the Russian threat (perhaps even the Chinese). That said, prior administrations failed to get the fellow NATO parties to pay their agreed upon commitments. The diplomatic approach failed, the appeals to their readiness fell on deaf ears. Trump called the Euros bluff, if you don't pay what you agreed to, we're out, and you're on your own. Unconventional and ballsy approached, but it seemed to work, didn't it? After all, you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.