[seibelj]

Without the US military all of these countries would be required to fund a large military to avoid being conquered. Pax Americana has allowed Europe to shirk their responsibilities, but some people would argue its worth it to the US.

[cryoshon]

i keep seeing this canard whenever military spending arises.

tell me: who would invade?

germany has no ambition to conquer france. poland has a buffer to protect it from the russians. estonia is in NATO.

seriously, what threat is going to suddenly gobble up europe?

oh yeah, and where are the millions of US troops currently stationed in europe that would supposedly stop the threat?

[keiferski]

Russia would absolutely invade / interfere with ex-Soviet states if they didn’t have the protection of NATO. See: Ukraine.

[seibelj]

I believe you are quite foolish if you think an opportunistic power wouldn't invade if they had the opportunity.

[jki275]

It doesn't take millions to make that kind of aggression politically unpalatable.