O/T:- Trump Presidency 2.0 [hic sunt dracones]

[i961pie]

No, I'm sure they wouldn't change their positions. I can only repeat what I said earlier - The EU would be a bit stronger with us in it, and we don't have the power to do a lot on our own.

With us not being in the EU could give Starmer more power and act as a go between with Trump and the EU.

[Elite_Pie]

With us not being in the EU could give Starmer more power and act as a go between with Trump and the EU.

It could, but it's not a role I'd envy.

Being stuck between the two could mean upsetting both.

[SmiffyPie]

No, I'm sure they wouldn't change their positions. I can only repeat what I said earlier - The EU would be a bit stronger with us in it, and we don't have the power to do a lot on our own.

No we don't have a strong military force thanks to successive, shortsighted, defence cuts but what we can do, as we are doing, is lead a European response.

[Elite_Pie]

No we don't have a strong military force thanks to successive, shortsighted, defence cuts but what we can do, as we are doing, is lead a European response.

I've long been of the opinion that many scoff at - an EU army is a good idea. Defence spending takes an obscene amount of what's in the pot, but it has to be done as a deterrent because there are some very nasty people in positions of power. Armies are only really needed in times of conflict, the rest of the time we have to have them as a 'just in case they're needed' scenario. When there are no wars, armies spend their time on training exercises at huge cost, so spread that cost around. I don't want to upset forwardmagpie again, but we can't take that option because we decided to leave the EU.

Bloody Brexit yet again!

[forwardmagpie]

I've long been of the opinion that many scoff at - an EU army is a good idea. Defence spending takes an obscene amount of what's in the pot, but it has to be done as a deterrent because there are some very nasty people in positions of power. Armies are only really needed in times of conflict, the rest of the time we have to have them as a 'just in case they're needed' scenario. When there are no wars, armies spend their time on training exercises at huge cost, so spread that cost around. I don't want to upset forwardmagpie again, but we can't take that option because we decided to leave the EU.

Bloody Brexit yet again!

Those pesky 52% still annoy you Elite.

You must hate democracy.

Thank goodness for them as an EU army is an absolute disaster in the making. Did you manage to take a look at the EU members, if you think that would work out well then respectfully we must again disagree.

[SmiffyPie]

I've long been of the opinion that many scoff at - an EU army is a good idea. Defence spending takes an obscene amount of what's in the pot, but it has to be done as a deterrent because there are some very nasty people in positions of power. Armies are only really needed in times of conflict, the rest of the time we have to have them as a 'just in case they're needed' scenario. When there are no wars, armies spend their time on training exercises at huge cost, so spread that cost around. I don't want to upset forwardmagpie again, but we can't take that option because we decided to leave the EU.

Bloody Brexit yet again!

I would like to agree with your first sentence but there would be some much internation bickering as to be unworkable (I served with all Western European armed forces and know of the resistance between nations regarding own forces deployments, a while ago mind but I don't think things would have change, probably got worse?). As for the remainder of your post, military strength will always make a potential aggressor think before taking any action and should never be regarded as a poor use of resources. Putin will be smelling the sickly sweet whiff of weakness thanks to Trump and we have some serious realignment to do pretty quick to make him (Putin) think a little longer.
Some guy on the radio said that Trump has changed the course of history and I think a lot of people agree, let's hope Trump hasn't sold us all down the river for lower petrol costs for his rednecks!

[Elite_Pie]

Those pesky 52% still annoy you Elite.

You must hate democracy.

I'm a big fan of democracy, but not when it boils down to 'best liar wins'. You had Johnson and Farage in your team, I had some liars in my team but none of their calibre.

Thank goodness for them as an EU army is an absolute disaster in the making. Did you manage to take a look at the EU members, if you think that would work out well then respectfully we must again disagree.

If your version of democracy means that such as Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta have to contribute the same as us, then we can agree on your last comment. It's best if we respectfully disagree.

[Elite_Pie]

I would like to agree with your first sentence but there would be some much internation bickering as to be unworkable (I served with all Western European armed forces and know of the resistance between nations regarding own forces deployments, a while ago mind but I don't think things would have change, probably got worse?).

You could be right, you obviously have more experience than I do but I see it as a good idea. Whether it's a workable idea I couldn't say.

[SmiffyPie]

A concept that has been touched on here and one that could well be feasible.
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...lf-us-military

[forwardmagpie]

If your version of democracy means that such as Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta have to contribute the same as us, then we can agree on your last comment. It's best if we respectfully disagree.

I didn?t mention contributions I don?t where you made that up from?

I just don?t think the EU members will be able to work together to make an EU army viable.

If you think it would work then surely it would still work without us being involved.

I hope we don?t have to find out.