You’re 100% correct. I don’t think I would frame it as “Trump won the argument on NATO spending” so much as “Trump highlighted a weakness in NATO by turning the US into a potentially hostile force”
The former implies that Trump had the goal to increase NATO spending from member nations, which is not at all true. Instead it was more that Trump will do almost anything he is asked if the order comes from someone he respects. Be that Putin, Bibi, or some GOP mastermind.
Mostly by making credible threats to invade former allies.
You’re 100% correct. I don’t think I would frame it as “Trump won the argument on NATO spending” so much as “Trump highlighted a weakness in NATO by turning the US into a potentially hostile force”
The former implies that Trump had the goal to increase NATO spending from member nations, which is not at all true. Instead it was more that Trump will do almost anything he is asked if the order comes from someone he respects. Be that Putin, Bibi, or some GOP mastermind.
No, but you’re also not making statements that you know a raging narcissist like Trump will be hearing.
Stroking his ego costs little, and can prevent (or reduce) future attacks.
It is true. That was a goal. Maybe not the one he was aiming for with his actions.