Best US allies in the war against terror

Winston · July 15, 2002, 15:49

In terms of moral support, financial contribution, intelligence, use of territory, deployment of troops, who do you think are the most valuable partners for the US against Al Qaida and other terrorist networks?

chequita guevara · July 15, 2002, 15:52

Banana

DinoDoc · July 15, 2002, 15:54

Quote:

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Banana

Is Central America really that important an ally to us?

Boris Godunov · July 15, 2002, 15:59

We need a poll for worst/most ironic allies, in which we can include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia...

moomin · July 15, 2002, 16:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
We need a poll for worst/most ironic allies, in which we can include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia...

This wasn't it? French, Saudis and Pakis got my vote...

Sandman · July 15, 2002, 16:11

I'd not say Britain, since it goes along with everything America does anyway, and fires the odd cruise missile from the odd sub.

Pakistan, Russia and the Central Asian Republics are probably the best allies.

Lemmy · July 15, 2002, 16:16

i'd say Pakistan, the government that is, not the people.
I wouldn't be surprised if there was a coup in Pakistan because of their support to the US.

faded glory · July 15, 2002, 16:18

Israel and Britian are of course the only ones who are helping logistically and pushing for a widening of the war.

Europe for the most part has done alot. Props to them. Despite the pathetic trolling on these boards, the majority of Euro governments have committed combat forces, peacekeepers, and humanitarian supply. Of course Europe mostly opposes widening of the war. Which is perfectly understandable, as we still have some convincing to do at home as to why Countries like Iraq should be targeted.

faded glory · July 15, 2002, 16:20

Oh yes, Pakistan and the other "stans" in that area. hehe..

Now a serouis question. Why do all those countries end with "Stan"? Is it some of kind of tribal-language thing?

Boris Godunov · July 15, 2002, 16:23

Pakistan's alliance is a sham. They are doing the bare minimum to keep the U.S. from doing to them what we did to the Taliban. Pakistan was the no. 1 nation for harboring terrorists, and I bet they are still secretly looking the other way as Al Queda operates within their borders.

Pakistan gets a big ol

Eli · July 15, 2002, 17:02

The Euros will eventually join you, but thousands will die before that.

Today, only Israel and Britain will go with you wherever it takes.

Dan Severn · July 15, 2002, 17:15

I say Britain and the Israelis. Both have a lot of experience with Terorism and Rogue States. (Applause for the Brits in the Falklands.)

The rest are folks we should definitely stick with, except the french. I don't trust them as far as I can throw the,.

"With your bad back, Ed, you shouldn't throw anybody." --Grace, Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Monk · July 15, 2002, 17:30

Winston,

Perhaps there's a chance Denmark is the most faithful ally of the United States? I've yet to hear about any significant objections to U.S interventions from this government as well as the last one. But I guess this poll is about allies the U.S can actually use for something...

Dan Severn · July 15, 2002, 17:33

Don't feel useless, Danes!

How would the US soldiers start the day without cofee and a danish?

See?

Iff'n ye weren't our friends, we'd never wake up!

Winston · July 15, 2002, 17:34

I've been thinking along the same lines, Monk.

From time to time, this "most loyal partner" thing comes up, both here and from across the pond. Certainly a nice shift from the embarassing days of the infamous footnote policy in the 80's.

Btw, check out the Greenland thread now on page two.

Some pleasant news for you.

Saint Marcus · July 15, 2002, 18:11

Quote:

Best US allies in the war against terror

None. The yanks are on their own.

others just help when it's convenient

Spiffor · July 15, 2002, 18:48

Great Britain and Israel, as they're the 51st and 52nd states of the US.
An independent country which follows another blindly does not exist. Many Americans curiously believe they have "Friend" countries. That's wrong : you can have "partners" in international relations, but never friends, as every nation (including the US) serves its interests rather than someone else's interests.

The US, and their British + Israeli colonies, are on their own, as Marcus said.

Edit : typos

DerSchwarzfalke · July 15, 2002, 19:08

It takes a misguided person to label Israel and the United Kingdom as actual members of the United States...

Jon Miller · July 15, 2002, 19:15

shoot

I forgot Israel (clicked on the UK otpion then votel...)

Jon Miller

notyoueither · July 15, 2002, 19:41

Sorry Spiff, but I think there is genuine friendship among most nations of the Common Wealth and with the United States. I think it's because most people in these countries realize that we do share common interests, even if those common interests don't apply to everything.

Carver · July 15, 2002, 21:12

Quote:

Originally posted by faded glory
Now a serouis question. Why do all those countries end with "Stan"? Is it some of kind of tribal-language thing?

Its just a Farsi/Persian word meaning land, country or nation. Its popular as a suffix in that part of the world.

The Emperor Fabulous · July 15, 2002, 21:19

What about Spain

Shi Huangdi · July 15, 2002, 22:26

Britain of course is one. The Musharraf government has gone to unthinkable ends to help us. The Afghan people(And the internationally recognized Rabbani government for when the Taliban was in power) showed great bravery in defeating the Taliban and Al Queda. Russia has also been a good help to us.

Israel gets my vote as the worst ally during the war on terrorism. Their agressive and vicious actions before and after 9/11 is what is fueling the Moslem rage agaisnt us.

Bereta_Eder · July 15, 2002, 22:31

afgani people fought with bravery?

please.

bunch of cutthroats worse than the taliban.

as for Israel. they're your allies, so you'll take the beating and you'll take it with a broad smile on your face.

Alexander's Horse · July 15, 2002, 22:40

Oh come on - its got to be Australia - we go to all their wars

I didn't see many of the countries listed above going down for the count with Uncle Sam in Vietnam. We did, God help us. Our Government begged the Americans to let us send troops and then pretended they had asked for them.

Somalia? We sent a battalion.

Iraq? There's talk of an armoured Brigade - except we don't have one - its suspected the Minister is actually talking about 1 Brigade in Darwin.

We even managed to send a few officers to Bosnia, which has FA to do with Australian interests.

As a radio announcer mentioned this morning, if Tony Blair is Bush's poodle, what does that make us?

Faeelin · July 15, 2002, 22:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse

As a radio announcer mentioned this morning, if Tony Blair is Bush's poodle, what does that make us?

The mouse who roared?

faded glory · July 15, 2002, 22:48

Horse you really dont need an army. I mean, look where you are? Who wants to attack you? And if they did, you know the entire Western Civilization would come to help anyway.

Alexander's Horse · July 15, 2002, 23:11

Quote:

Originally posted by faded glory
Horse you really dont need an army. I mean, look where you are? Who wants to attack you? And if they did, you know the entire Western Civilization would come to help anyway.

Actually our strong military tradition evolved from isolation and fears of invasion. The theory is if we help great powers they will help us - so we're always climbing up somebody's bum.

Isolation can make you very paranoid and weird.

I think of it the same way places like ancient Crete provided to quality troops to just about any war that was going - for the Greeks, the Romans, the Persians, whoever was dominant, they didn't care. We're like that.

The Pioneer · July 16, 2002, 02:48

I voted for Great Britain but we should not forget Turkey with its muslim population which gives all the US campaigns a moral boost besides the geopolitical situation of Turkey which allows the US to have access to places not possible in any other way. Not to forget the Former Soviet Rep. are a wind of change and by assisting the US in low profile manner gives them the unprecedented opprtunity to expand its influences in far flung regions.

Alexander's Horse · July 16, 2002, 02:52

I never thought I'd see the day when US forces would be based in former Soviet Republics.