nauseus

From the link: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_67655.htm At the Wales Summit in 2014, in response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and the turmoil in the Middle East, NATO Leaders agreed to reverse the trend of declining defence budgets and decided: Allies currently meeting the 2% guideline on defence spending will aim to continue to do so; Allies whose current proportion of GDP spent on defence is below this level will: halt any decline; aim to increase defence expenditure in real terms as GDP grows; and aim to move towards the 2% guideline within a decade with a view to meeting their NATO Capability Targets and filling NATO's capability shortfalls. - - - What your "ignoramus" did note was that many of the laggards were not increasing their own military budgets enough to reach the 2% target, even by 2024 (see Candide's post). Of course, what happened in 2022 encouraged some more rapid increases.

I expected him to say exactly what he said. Budgets were always Trump's complaint.

could...if...

You little cartoons and unsubstantiated quotes prove nothing. Bolton obviously has a grudge against Trump but zero evidence either. Better look at this, especially from 6:00 onwards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_bAgT1thG4

Actually increased NATO member budgets started before the Russian invasion.

If you have your breath back after that rant, enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7NRgF9_QhU

The funniest thing in there was that you actually seem to think that you were debating!

In the open? Disgusting!

... and sprinkles

Well that's true but the (Euronews) story does say that this Prime Minister Croo was speaking to the European Parliament and it also goes in to mention EU policy and concerns about a Trump return. NATO is only mentioned in the context of what Trump allegedly said to von der Leyen way back, but whatever exactly that was, it looks to have been taken out of context. The EU hierarchy got bent out of shape after Trump complained about low defence budgets from some NATO members in the EU, which were less than the agreed NATO level. I doubt that Trump would abandon Europe in case of conflict with Russia - a time to really worry might be if the US left NATO itself. Euronews is evidently an EU-supported political magazine that is anti Trump but if EU/European defences are enhanced by some fear of a Trump return, then fine. However, remember the EU was trying to initiate the formation of its own army a few years ago, so this looks like an opportune time for it to have another go.

Sweden and Finland long preferred to remain neutral - Putin's move into UA changed the mood a bit - nothing to do with Trump.

What a string of spew.

And QATAR thru Doha 680 quid today.

85000 are the miles you need for a normal economy return award on THAI, but I can't see what you have done. What I can see is that you could fly economy with Emirates from Birmingham for £846.27 (same days). If you are in Walsall, then no need to go to London and you could keep your THAI miles for something else.

OK but the data he showed is for a full (miles) award. Not hybrid.

I can believe that. Sad sign of the times,

It's economy. Looks like you have to pay 409 quid to secure the award ticket. Steep I know. The tax was always payable separately with these things but it looks like THAI have increased the weighting on the tax side a lot! I always found it best to visit a THAI office and then sort it out.

Laugh a minute here.

I suppose a baseless accusation could be a type of opinion.

Very dramatic.

Yup. A complete load of polls.

Here we go.

Don't be daft.

Thanks. I guess we can do without the trend line. Early 1990's sudden warming spike was Pinatubo.

Why not split the trend line into pre and post 1996? Even a donkey might see something.