Summary

Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s nominee for Defense Commissioner, emphasized the need for increased European defense spending in response to Russian threats, rather than demands from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

At his confirmation hearing, Kubilius noted that Europe has boosted defense budgets since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

He stressed that intelligence suggests Russia could test EU or NATO resolve by the end of the decade, making enhanced military readiness essential for deterrence.

  • FlashMobOfOne
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    3411 hours ago

    As much as I hate to hear about war spending increasing planet-wide, it’s definitely dawning on our allies that depending on the US for protection and support is no longer a tenable position. It might turn out to be a good thing that more countries develop a modern military apparatus, though, particularly as there are several Putin-type heads of state in the world.

    • @FelixCress
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      34 hours ago

      particularly as there are several Putin-type heads of state in the world

      One has even been recently elected, just not as cunning and rather more stupid.

    • @[email protected]
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      99 hours ago

      Honestly. No country should have the military spending that the US does. It’s too much power in one place. I understand the cold war made it necessary though.

    • @[email protected]
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      610 hours ago

      More nuclear warheads as well. Not saying that’s a good thing, but it seems to be the only real deterrent.

      • FlashMobOfOne
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        -710 hours ago

        I keep hoping someone will slip a nuke or two to Palestine so that whole business can be stopped, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen.

    • d00phy
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      511 hours ago

      Came here to say the exact same thing.

      • FlashMobOfOne
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        610 hours ago

        Yeah, our Kurdish allies learned the hard way not to depend on US support during Trump’s first term, and honestly, I’d love it if he pulls our country out of more wars, even if he does it for the wrong reasons. I’ve never supported the US being the policemen of the world.

        • @[email protected]
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          19 hours ago

          The US isn’t in anything right now. It’s deployed (it always is), but not in active hostilities.

          (Unless I’m missing something in Central or South America)

          • Skua
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            19 hours ago

            The US military is currently directly involved in fighting in Yemen and Somalia. It’s relatively small-scale, but it is happening

          • FlashMobOfOne
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            19 hours ago

            I mean, that we know of.

            Clinton was fairly brilliant in branding his wars as ‘peacekeeping actions’ and Obama rebranded civilians as ‘enemy combatants’, so while yes it may be unofficial, we’re still essentially at war everywhere.

              • FlashMobOfOne
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                19 hours ago

                That’s a good question, I think.

                I know most people don’t, but I consume a few foreign news sources myself. It helps to lend a broader perspective on US governance, and with the US press running cover for fascists, it’s an increasingly valuable way to learn more about US events.