Let's talk about Europe's alliance, Greenland, and Americans.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Europe's alliance, Greenland and Americans.

As Trump continues to end US superpower status and place the US on a collision course with our strongest allies, Americans are doing that thing where they confuse American exceptionalism and American mythology for reality. Here's an example.

Belle, you keep talking about NATO like we aren't a part of it. European nations can't activate NATO without our say so. They can't use that to fight for Greenland. So, drop it until they have an alliance of their own without the US. But they won't because they need the US to do anything.

Let's start with this. You're wrong. Completely wrong about how NATO works. More importantly, it could reasonably be argued that Trump already broke the NATO treaty when he refused to take military force off the table for Greenland. Because Article 1 says NATO members will “settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force.”

It could also be argued that he broke Article 2 with his use of economic penalties. Article 2 says, "They will seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration."

Then there's this little quote. "If a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power in accordance with article 51 of the United Nations charter. This shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defense policy of certain member states."

Oh, wait. This isn't the NATO treaty. That's the mutual defense clause Article 42.7 of the EU charter. You wanted to know when they have an alliance of their own without the US. It already exists.

Now that I've answered your question, let's take a moment to consider something. You're talking about whether or not our closest allies can activate the military component of NATO without the US. These are countries that have stood by the United States for decades, who have sent their youth to fight in our wars, and you're wondering whether or not they can successfully mount a defense to an attack by the US.

Who benefits from that? Do you think the United States emerges stronger or weaker from this little stunt? Who benefits? Russia and China are the only countries who benefit from it. This does not make America more secure. It makes us a pariah and weak. You don't go to war for the memes. War is the continuation of politics by other means. How does the US benefit? And when you realize it doesn't, I'd ask why Trump is doing it.

Anyway, it's just a thought. You all have a good day.