As the Republican Party’s blockade of aid to Ukraine drags into its fourth month, the U.S. government under Pres. Joe Biden has found a clever new way to give Ukraine’s forces the weapons and ammunition they need to defend their country.

It is, in essence, an American version of Germany’s circular weapons trade—the so-called Ringtausch. The United States is gifting older surplus weapons to Greece with the understanding that Greece donates to Ukraine some of its own surplus weapons.

Greek media broke the news last week. According to the newspaper Kathimerini and other media, the Biden administration offered the Greek government three 87-foot Protector-class patrol boats, two Lockheed Martin C-130H airlifters, 10 Allison T56 turboprop engines for Lockheed P-3 patrol planes plus 60 M-2 Bradley fighting vehicles and a consignment of transport trucks.

All this hardware is U.S. military surplus—and is available to Greece, free of charge, under a U.S. legal authority called “excess defense articles.” Federal law allows an American president to declare military systems surplus to need, assign them a value—potentially zero dollars—and give them away on the condition that the recipient transport them.

  • @TrickDacy
    link
    410 months ago

    I’m blaming morons spreading discontent and shitty ass ideas and that’s fully fair. Thanks for changing the subject though

    • @Sami_Uso
      link
      210 months ago

      Why are you so worried about “spreading discontent” in a small community message board? Don’t get me wrong, you should be about this election, but don’t you think it’s a little late now?

      • @TrickDacy
        link
        010 months ago

        The election is in 9 months.

        • @Sami_Uso
          link
          310 months ago

          They’ve had 4 years. What is the Dems message at this point besides “not trump”? What do they stand for in this election? I get their emails the same as you everyday, they say nothing except “beat Trump”. We’re way past “addressing discontent” at this point.

          People are frustrated, people are upset and the only thing the Dems have in 4 years is “at least we’re not that guy”. Is that really going to work again? I think the discontent is absolutely warranted at this point, my dude.

            • @Sami_Uso
              link
              010 months ago

              What an absolute child you are. Learn how to have a conversation instead of trying to feel better than everyone.

              • @TrickDacy
                link
                010 months ago

                I don’t need to converse with people who strive to install fascists. Thanks though

                • @Sami_Uso
                  link
                  110 months ago

                  Criticism of the democratic party is equivalent to striving to install fascism??

                  Listen to yourself! I fucking voted for Biden in 2020, I want them to be better. That isn’t trying to “sow discontent” it’s not striving to install fascism, it’s criticism. Jfc you guys are soft.

            • @Nudding
              link
              -110 months ago

              Sounds like something a republican would say 🤔

              • @TrickDacy
                link
                -110 months ago

                Republicans: the people you are hell bent on putting in office.

                • @Nudding
                  link
                  -210 months ago

                  Nuh huh, meany liar pants >:(

                  • @TrickDacy
                    link
                    -210 months ago

                    Yes we all get it, you want trump reelected. Now go tell daddy you did well today