Germany can afford it’s own defence. Philippines can’t. So if the USA wants to push back against Chinese encroachment on international waters they are going to have to pay for it. It’s not a matter of doing the Philippinos a favour.
Agreed. It’s in our best interest to have a major presence in the region again, and Subic Bay would be ideal. I’m pretty sure we’d find the money to refurb the base and spin it back up, though we might want some assurances that if we do we stay this time.
Not only do I expect us to do this (assuming the legal issues are ironed out in the Philippines per your article) but we will probably increase the amount of money or perhaps sell them more of our surplus (or probably both).
BTW, as far as Germany goes, I wouldn’t be so sure about that…from what I recall they have, again, cut their defense budget, which was already way past the bone, and way below the level that their NATO commitment is supposed to be (2% of GDP IIRC…and Germany is now below 1%).
Well I just said Germany could afford it, so it’s a different discussion. I know they are below NATO target levels of spending.
He said, bumping the thread again to contribute nothing of substance.