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leela_martell t1_j07gyd9 wrote

Reply to comment by MyaheeMyastone in [OC] World collective security arrangements for the United States, China, and Russia, with each's share of world GDP. by MST3KTFCCTRT

Many "small European countries" have conscription. Every fifth person in my country (that has generous welfare policies) is in the army reserves and has completed at least 6 months of military service. It's just a different way to contribute.

The US has the money but most of its citizens don't have to go to the army.

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MyaheeMyastone t1_j09hfan wrote

Yeah and that’s nice to have standing armies but large standing armies are not the name of the game anymore. It’s all about military tech, rockets, vehicles, etc. None of the countries conscripting are contributing even close to the amount the US does.

The sole reason these people are conscripted is so that they can learn how to use the equipment that we have developed for them

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leela_martell t1_j0b5vqn wrote

My country paid 10 billion to the US for F-35s alone recently, you do understand that you’re getting money for that military tech? Yes the US military industry is big, but that is how the market works. I also use an Apple smartphone. 🤷🏻‍♀️

That doesn’t mean Europe isn’t too reliant on the US, cause we are, but us small countries are often punching well above our weight compared to the bigger European countries.

Anyways, the US is still the only Nato country to have ever invoked Article 5. So I guess your allies aren’t completely useless to you

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