JD FOSTER: On NATO, To Quote Maverick In Top Gun, ‘Don’t Think, Just Do’

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As Argentina threatened the Falklands in 1982, Sir Henry Leach, chief of the naval staff, told Prime Minister Thatcher, “I can put together a task force of destroyers, frigates, landing craft and support vessels. It will be led by the aircraft carriers HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible. It can be ready to leave in 48 hours.”

And so it was, followed by the Argentinians suffering a sound thumping.

When Iranian missiles threatened the Brits’ Cyprus base recently, the mighty British Navy struggled to send a single destroyer.

England’s martial decrepitude is the European norm. With one exception, America’s biggest NATO “allies” are all military midgets. Germany? Nichts. Spain? Nada, amigo. Italy? Grazzi, ma passo.

France alone often punches a tad above its weight, which is small comfort as in its dealings with America, France can be relied upon to be unreliable, resolute in irresolution, firm in its passivity. (RELATED: Victor Davis Hanson Breaks Down Why US Must Rethink NATO Strategy)

President Donald Trump indicates he’s seriously thinking about pulling out of NATO. Some Republicans disagree. Some argue, credibly, Trump lacks the legal authority to leave NATO. But he can order the U.S. military to end all contact with NATO. He can pull U.S. troops out of NATO countries. He can effectively kill NATO even while technically remaining in NATO.

Why leave........

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