What A Concept! An Ally That Will Fight, Rather Than Expect America To Spend Its Blood And Treasure

Whether Prime Minister Modi can drag India into the 21st century, without becoming a typical big-government nepotist like so many of his predecessors remains to be seen. But the idea of a military alliance between India and the United States is appealing; imagine the complexities for China if we and India could present a united front against their expansionist tendencies.

But that alliance would have to be based on a revamped model...something along the lines of our "realpolitik" from years past. As this excellent article points out, having an alliance with countries that don't participate but rather expect us to do everything is no alliance at all.

If we needed another bloated, militarily decrepit ally we could just invite France or Germany into NATO.

Oh...wait.

The U.S. Wants India as a Real Ally, Not Another Helpless Dependent

Alliances should be a means to an end, not a popularity contest, like winning bragging rights by accumulating the most Facebook friends or online “likes.” Yet of late Washington has collected mostly ornamental allies, which add more burdens and obligations than benefits. Montenegro and North Macedonia, for instance, are geopolitical jokes that dilute NATO decision-making while adding to America’s obligations.

But even such stalwarts as Germany, Japan, and South Korea needlessly remain dependent despite decades as U.S. allies. All three believe that it is Washington’s job to protect them. Their primary responsibility is to agree to be defended, not to contribute to joint security by increasing efforts to match capabilities.

This behavior is corrosive. Although Washington’s foreign policy establishment is appalled by Trump’s sensible demands for increased burden-sharing, his perspective, however maladroitly expressed, reflects the common sense of average Americans who pay the bills. Why does most Pentagon spending end up as de facto welfare for rich friends who have more important priorities than defending their territories and peoples?

A partnership with India modeled on our relationship with Israel would be beneficial to both countries. Our expertise in logistics, our military technology and information gathering systems, coupled with India's personnel might be a potent counter to China.

Now if we can just get Russia to get into a pissing match with China we would be well on our way to isolating them and keeping their focus on their borders, rather than world expansion and domination.

posted by CBD at 12:00 PM

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