A Stronger NATO – Welcome to Montenegro! Russia Beware

A stronger NATO is what we need.   Especially the native Europeans, what with President Trump’s threats and innuendos suggesting reduced U.S. support. More tanks, bombers, fighters, armies – anything to push back against the hegemonic Putin.  And more vital military installations – naval bases, landing strips, army stations.  Yes, yes we must push back against Russian aggression.  They annexed Crimea; they invaded the Ukraine and Georgia.  My God, Montenegro must be next.  Now’s the time to rally to their aid, before it’s too late.  Plus, we’ll get their formidable military. This could be a real NATO coup.

Who’s to argue?  Montenegro is certainly the most beautiful country in Europe.  The glacier-formed Durmitor National Park is home to the spectacular Tara Canyon, the world’s second largest.  The stunning Tara River runs through the canyon for over 30 miles.

Stronger NATO
Durmitor National Park

Nothing rivals the spectacular Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic Sea.  It runs 15 miles or so from the sea to the city of Kotor.  Nestled on a cape separating the bay from the gulf of Risan lies the small town of Perast.  Two stunning chapels rest on the two islets just past Perast.

Stronger NATO
Two Chapels Near Perast

And then there’s Montenegro’s full military complement.  They’ve got almost 2,000 active duty military.  But imagine if they had a draft!  Sure, most of their stuff came from the old Serbia-Montenegro combo before Montenegro’s emancipation in 2006, but the stuff’s only ten years old or so.

Stronger NATO

What’s more, there’s that navy.  Look, they’ve got 67 patrol boats.  And the Bar Naval Base – my God, the Bar Naval Base! Sure, we’ve had the American navy.  And the British and French navies.  But just think what NATO’s naval complement will look like now.  The heights that it can scale.  No more worries for our friends on the Adriatic.  The Russians will no longer be able to base their Italian night-time landing from their long-dreamed-for Montenegrin base.  Lay that one to rest!

No wonder the Kremlin objects to Montenegro’s NATO inclusion. They should fear a stronger NATO.  The West is so far-sighted.  Deterrence is the goal, and a NATO with Montenegro is certainly stronger than one without.  No way the Russians will dare further European incursions. Sure, an over-land Montenegrin attack would force them through the Ukraine, Romania and Serbia first.  Who could blame them, with the prize that lurks.  But not anymore!

At least not if the Montenegrins actually decide to join.  Their government has pushed hard to join the club for seven years now.  But their people are wise, and might not want to belong to any club that will accept them as a member.  Polls show only 39% or so really want to join the club.  Too much democracy might be a bad thing, so they’ll probably not be any Montenegro vote on this one.  We need a stronger NATO.

So Russia beware!  If President Trumpenstein approves, and the Spanish go along too, the full military might of 28 nations will be there to staunch your dream of a Montenegro coup.  Viva la Montenegro!

It’s Time that NATO Nations Keep Their Commitments – American Taxpayers Should End Their Subsidy

When we make a promise, our integrity is on the line.  A man is no more than his word, right?  Especially when the promise made is part of a mutual agreement.  We promise to do X and you promise to do Y.  And if we don’t live up to our promise, then we lack honor and integrity.  If you then insist that we honor our promise and we refuse, well then our virtue is further diminished.  We demean ourselves.  All of which brings us to the President of the European Union, Jean-Claude Juncker.  It’s time that NATO nations keep their defense spending commitments.  Instead, President Juncker insists that American taxpayers foot the bill.  And go into further debt to do so.

Time that NATO Nations
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

Continue reading “It’s Time that NATO Nations Keep Their Commitments – American Taxpayers Should End Their Subsidy”