“If you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again,” Vance replied. Hegseth agreed that “I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC.” But, he added, “we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this.”

Miller, the Trump confidant, effectively ended the conversation by saying that the president had been clear. “Green light, but we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return.”

Edit: The texts are released to public

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[–] leaky_shower_thought@feddit.nl 20 points 3 days ago (7 children)

ooooh when captain america throws his mighty shield~

he surely expects some form of return

[–] SupraMario@lemmy.world 29 points 3 days ago (5 children)

The problem is these dipshits don't understand what soft power is. We get a ton in return for our investment. USD is the reserve currency of the world(for now). We get trade deals, we get cheaper goods, we get allies that when we invoked article 5 they showed the fuck up...yet here's these braindead fucks who think this is somehow making us look strong by telling everyone we need something in return....we already get something in return you smooth brained cock wagons.

[–] luisgutz@feddit.uk 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

And the US gets to sell their weapons to allies. This acts as a subsidy on the development of new weapons systems, and prevents possible competitors from developing theirs. It is easier to win a war when your opponent cant make any weapons, or cant scale their weapon making fast enough.

It also provides an ever present treat to Europe: All those US bases scattered over the European continent are a reminder that Europe is free to choose their own political path, as long as they don't deviate much from what Washington approves.

[–] SupraMario@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yea that's another good point...and honestly if all our allies stop buying our shit, the military manufacturing here in the US is going to suffer heavily....wonder how happy they will be when the checks stop coming in.

[–] drhodl@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

They'll probably just switch investments into private prisons...

[–] SupraMario@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

Money isn't worth shit if the reserve currency of the world isn't worth anything. These companies will fuck right off to the next super power without batting an eye, and they'll take all their tech with them.

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