The US Navy continues to attack the Houthis while trying to keep the Red Sea open to trade. Reportedly, 19 other nations are participating in the coalition, but Britain is the only one providing firepower in the form of one destroyer. As always, the rest of the so-called “powers” of the West are powerless and helpless.
One of Donald Trump's endearing traits is that he shouts things that cognoscenti know to be true, but he doesn't even whisper them in public. He said the US should abandon NATO in 2016. why? Because it's a big rip-off. Seven years later, even JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon admits that President Trump was “sort of right” about NATO.
NATO is a rip-off. Because NATO is primarily a collection of free riders living under the national security umbrella provided by American taxpayers and a few other responsible member states like Poland and the United Kingdom. In 2006, NATO members committed to spending 2% of their GDP on: defense. This is a disappointingly low number, but it's a start. Two-thirds of NATO members will be short in 2023, and many will be far short.
Few NATO members have the economic clout to bring about significant change. For example, seven of the countries exceeding the 2% target have economies the size of New Jersey or smaller. NATO's Hall of Shame is reserved for Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Belgium, whose economies have significant economic size, but which have remained heavily in arrears for almost two decades. The total shortfall since 2006 could exceed hundreds of billions of dollars in spending on war supplies alone.
The shameful laggards are making all the fuss about reaching 2% over time, but they are apparently measuring time on a geological scale. Usually the U.S. government smiles, says thanks, and leaves it at that, but those who are late go home laughing the entire time. What confidence does the United States have if its supposed allies get away with this insulting nonsense year after year?
President Biden will tolerate this plagiarism indefinitely, but what should President Trump do? Check out Don Corleone's playbook page: Make an offer to NATO that it can't refuse.
Recommendation: NATO members must give weight to protecting their way of life. Specifically, countries that previously met their 2% commitments will now need to reach 2.5% by 2026. Poland currently leads the way with 3.9%, followed by the US and Greece with 3.5% and 3% respectively. If Greece can achieve 3%, the UK will probably have a slight advantage.
Additionally, countries that have traditionally lagged will need to achieve the 3% target for at least 10 years to make up for past shortfalls. Mine Got Nine!, the Germans will definitely be satisfied.
Jawal, Meine Damen and Helen. Do you want to become a member of the club? You have to pay the membership fee. Failure to comply will result in immediate termination of your membership.
What would actually happen if NATO disbanded? Not much bad. First, approximately 4,000 bureaucrats and officials will take to the streets to be reappointed. (Related: J.D. Foster: The Biden Administration's Bizarre Gaza Fantasy)
To be sure, NATO was somewhat helpful in coordinating the response to Russia's attack on Ukraine, but it was not essential. All these other countries have telephones.
The greatest benefit from dismantling NATO begins with the understanding that the United States is still an ally, but not an idiot. Another positive is that without the U.S. umbrella, countries such as Germany would probably take their security more seriously.
It's a dangerous world, with a belligerent Russia, a threatening Iran, and, above all, a rising China. American taxpayers have been pathetic for too long while NATO's Hall of Shame grins. America will continue to play a leading role when and where needed. Because it's in her best interest to do so. But it's long past time for the remaining members to get serious or retreat.
J.D. Foster is the former Chief Economist of the Office of Management and Budget and the former Chief Economist and Executive Vice Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He now lives relatively freely in the hills of Idaho.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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