NATO should recruit Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, and more, ex-commander says

[MangoKorat]

NATO should recruit Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, and more, ex-commander says

 

Yep, I can see China going for that...........not.

 

Clearly this man hasn't noticed Thailand cosying up to Putin and buying oil from him.

[paul1804]

If & when Thailand becomes a responsible democracy maybe then that would be a good idea!

[newbee2022]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Then-Nato Supreme Allied Commander Europe US Admiral James Stavridis at a press conference in 2009. Photo: AFP

 

Former Nato supreme allied commander James Stavridis suggested the military alliance recruit Asia-Pacific countries that share ‘its vision of freedom’

His list of potential allies with a similar view on democracy, liberty and human rights also included Australia, New Zealand and South Korea

 

The Nato military alliance should consider broadening its membership to include Asia-Pacific nations, said a former Nato supreme allied commander.

“Nato should think about recruiting a few new members from outside its traditional boundaries,” retired US Navy Admiral James Stavridis wrote in a Bloomberg opinion piece on Monday.

 

Stavridis served as the military alliance’s chief from 2009 to 2013. Before that, he was the Commander of the US Southern Command from 2006 to 2009, where he oversaw military operations in Latin America.

 

Widening Nato’s membership, Stavridis wrote, was a necessary response to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, US-China tensions, and the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

In his opinion piece, Stavridis suggested recruiting Asia-Pacific countries “that share the alliance’s vision of freedom, democracy, liberty and human rights”. That list of potential allies included countries like Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

 

Full story: South China Morning Post 2024-04-11

 

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Splendid idea for Thailand. In this way they will get their subs with MTU engines. And Leopards, Taurus and all the stuff they were eying on.🙏

[El Matador]

Well with Trump as potential de facto leader of this mega-alliance I don't see how things could go wrong...

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Korat Kiwi said:

The NZ government may not have supported its military to the extent that it could have, I would add. 

Never has since Vietnam started. We were wearing British battle dress from WW2 when I joined, and the facilities were a bad joke. I just accepted it at the time as didn't know any different, but most of us were in for US clothing if we could get it.

If there was anything that exemplified the farce of NZ made equipment it was wearing JG's while out in the snow ( thin cotton fabric with no insulating properties at all meant for wearing in the tropical jungle ), waterproof jacket and over trousers that didn't keep the rain out, and the infamous snail pack, which was complete garbage.

Never really improved in the decade plus that I was in.

[Bannoi]

39 minutes ago, harleyclarkey said:

Only if there is a Thai ladies brigade.....😅

A Katoey Brigade with their stiletto heels in hand would scare the hell out of me bit like the Gurkhas

[thaibeachlovers]

It's worth remembering that the end of the Roman Empire came about when they had to recruit mercenaries to guard Rome, which is basically what he is talking about.

Don't enough Europeans want to join up and be treated like <deleted> in the military for pathetic wages?

[BE88]

To do what ? Make war on China ? Dead laughing 

[cjinchiangrai]

19 minutes ago, Bannoi said:

You are correct NATO was created to contain the old Soviet Union and should have just naturally faded away.  Unfortunately Putin seems hell bent on recreating the old USSR it making NATO just as relevant today as it ever was. The only thing that will stop Putin is an overwhelming show of force if he thinks he might lose or get a bloody nose he will not start or back down just like any other bully.

Putin is counting on Chump winning and then helping in the attack on Ukraine.

[Airwolf]

At the very least, you need to be a democracy to join NATO, so, no dice. 

[eisfeld]

Quote

The military alliance’s overtures to Asia appear to have drawn the ire of countries like China, whose defence ministry has accused Nato of being a “walking war machine.”

“In recent years, Nato has been inching closer to the Asia-Pacific and using the nonexistent ‘China threat’ as an excuse to advance bloc confrontation, which poses a threat to regional security,” China’s defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said of Nato during a press conference in January.

 

What a load of crap from the Chinese propaganda machine. Nato has neither invaded nor is it threatening any country. It's a defense alliance by nature. In reality it is China on the other hand has invaded Tibet, has taken full control over Hong Kong, is threatening Taiwan and constantly provokes countries in the South China Sea like the Philippines. They also provoke India regularily. China also supports the local troublemaker-in-chief North Korea and the war-monger Putin.

 

[pub2022]

NATO should leave the rest of the world alone and in peace.

[Gweiloman]

1 minute ago, Bannoi said:

You are correct NATO was created to contain the old Soviet Union and should have just naturally faded away.  Unfortunately Putin seems hell bent on recreating the old USSR it making NATO just as relevant today as it ever was. The only thing that will stop Putin is an overwhelming show of force if he thinks he might lose or get a bloody nose he will not start or back down just like any other bully.

I can’t agree with you. Putin actually wanted to join NATO when Clinton was POTUS but he was rejected. This would have sent a very clear message to him that he was not welcome and would actually gotten rid of the need for NATO altogether, something that the generals absolutely do not want.

 

Much like what the US is trying to do to China at the moment, they have provoked Russia into taking military action to defend against what they see, rightly or wrongly, as an existential threat. The same thing will happen if, on top of the special forces placed on the Kinmen and Pengshu islands, the US starts to put more men and weapons there. China will then have no choice but to take military action.

 

Sadly, I think that might happen soon as the US government also has no choice as it is the MIC that will decide.

[Gweiloman]

6 minutes ago, eisfeld said:

 

What a load of crap from the Chinese propaganda machine. Nato has neither invaded nor is it threatening any country. It's a defense alliance by nature. In reality it is China on the other hand has invaded Tibet, has taken full control over Hong Kong, is threatening Taiwan and constantly provokes countries in the South China Sea like the Philippines. They also provoke India regularily. China also supports the local troublemaker-in-chief North Korea and the war-monger Putin.

 

The fact that you didn’t even realise that Hkg is part of China and merely leased to Britain for 99 years renders the rest of your post as nonsense.

[Bennukbin]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asia_Treaty_Organization
 

Didn’t work last time and certainly won’t go down well with the big brother in Beijing. Perhaps the Admiral is not too strong on history or geography. I can see the Philippines going for the idea though. 

[soalbundy]

18 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

What?

Exactly, what??? Democracy, like communism, is a philosophy, a theory, they don't exist in reality. Asians have their own philosophies and are doing nicely thank you, they don't need Caucasians to drag them into their wars. Australia and NZ aren't Asian societies and already cooperate with the West....AUKUS and the 5 eyes are examples. Japan, South Korea and the Philippines already brush shoulders with the US while keeping their respective Asian identities while Thailand is pragmatic, dodging and weaving, shadow boxing and placating, it serves them well. Keep your cold wars and arms races in the labyrinths they are already locked in and don't make the world even more dangerous than it already is. Nato, i.e. the US caused the Ukraine/Russian war by poking the bear in this region for years, talks of Nato and EU membership (against all agreements) were the last straw but it's never the US that suffers the consequences.

[Surasak]

1 hour ago, DjSilver said:

Haha, what a joke, everyone knows that Thailand is Chinas puppet. If China says jump, than Thailand says yes Master and jumps 🤣

As do one or two other countries around the area.

[Cabradelmar]

Thailand is never ever going to join NATO. They would never risk the ire of China. 

[eisfeld]

11 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

I can’t agree with you. Putin actually wanted to join NATO when Clinton was POTUS but he was rejected. This would have sent a very clear message to him that he was not welcome and would actually gotten rid of the need for NATO altogether, something that the generals absolutely do not want.

 

Putin didn't want to play by the rules. He didn't want to go through the normal NATO membership application process like other countries. That already shows his attitude. The funny thing is he said he wanted to be treated equally. But what he asked for is the exact opposite. He has a twisted mind. Of course NATO wouldn't accept him under the given circumstances and the history of Russias threat to the west.

 

13 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

Much like what the US is trying to do to China at the moment, they have provoked Russia into taking military action to defend against what they see, rightly or wrongly, as an existential threat. The same thing will happen if, on top of the special forces placed on the Kinmen and Pengshu islands, the US starts to put more men and weapons there. China will then have no choice but to take military action.

 

You are confusing cause and reaction. The US isn't putting troups somewhere because they think it's funny. They put them in response to a threat. China has threatened Taiwan before the US ever helped Taiwan. The origin is the Chinese civil war which made the old Chinese government flee to what is now Taiwan. The US has an agreemend to defend Taiwan. Nobody is threatening or thinking about invading China. China is on the other hand threatening Taiwan with invasion and recently has several times violated Taiwans sovereignty regarding their airspace.

[Cabradelmar]

PI and Japan, however, would, could and should join any alliance that does not have China as a member. 

[eisfeld]

12 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

The fact that you didn’t even realise that Hkg is part of China and merely leased to Britain for 99 years renders the rest of your post as nonsense.

 

Yea because Hong Kong really wants to be part of China. It shows how influenced you are by Chinese propaganda. Didn't you mention you are living in China? Why did China have to use force in Hong Kong?

[farangkinok]

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

The commodore must have been missing that particular class in geography - unless, of course, the local goons moved Thailand to the Atlantic ...... wonders never seize 😉 

"never cease" but point taken. 

[Gweiloman]

5 minutes ago, eisfeld said:

 

Yea because Hong Kong really wants to be part of China. It shows how influenced you are by Chinese propaganda. Didn't you mention you are living in China? Why did China have to use force in Hong Kong?

 

6 minutes ago, eisfeld said:

 

Putin didn't want to play by the rules. He didn't want to go through the normal NATO membership application process like other countries. That already shows his attitude. The funny thing is he said he wanted to be treated equally. But what he asked for is the exact opposite. He has a twisted mind. Of course NATO wouldn't accept him under the given circumstances and the history of Russias threat to the west.

 

 

You are confusing cause and reaction. The US isn't putting troups somewhere because they think it's funny. They put them in response to a threat. China has threatened Taiwan before the US ever helped Taiwan. The origin is the Chinese civil war which made the old Chinese government flee to what is now Taiwan. The US has an agreemend to defend Taiwan. Nobody is threatening or thinking about invading China. China is on the other hand threatening Taiwan with invasion and recently has several times violated Taiwans sovereignty regarding their airspace.

And I’m the one influenced by propaganda? Lol. With the exception of a few irrelevant island states, the whole world, including the US recognises Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China. Tell me, how can you violate your own airspace?

 

The losing Kuomintang army under CKS retreated to Taiwan. If Taiwan was a sovereign state, then that would mean that the KMT invaded another country, won’t it?

 

[Gweiloman]

18 minutes ago, Surasak said:

As do one or two other countries around the area.

China still has a long way to go before it can compete with the US as to number of vassal states under its command.

[crazykopite]

I served with NATO Forces suggesting Thailand should be considered is an utter joke having lived in the kingdom for nearly 20 years and knowing a couple of ex army personnel it just would not work 

[sqwakvfr]

3 hours ago, pegman said:

Well this admiral went to work for the Carlyle Group which is heavily invested in the American military industrial complex. NATO expansion is a long running scam. Each new NATO country must conform to NATO standards for all their mutations.  Corrupt politicians who receive campaign contributions from munitions manufacturers pay them back by creating these new customers.  

Agreed.  Ever hear of a company called Vinnell(Saudi Arabia).  Many retied Colonels end up there.  Arms Manufacturing and Defense companies have a lot of employees, shareholders and lobbyist so the "train" has to keep rolling.  I know for certain many companies are already preparing for major contracts in Ukraine as soon as the shooting stops.  Over 60 years ago Eisenhower gave a farewell speech where this term was first heard in public:  The Military Industrial Complex.  

[eisfeld]

39 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

And I’m the one influenced by propaganda? Lol. With the exception of a few irrelevant island states, the whole world, including the US recognises Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China. Tell me, how can you violate your own airspace?

 

You are confusing officially recognizing Taiwan and not doing so in order to not open confrontation with China. It's a careful dance. The EU for example has informal diplomatic relationships with Taiwan. Why would they need that if they already have official ones with China?

 

Tell me, if Taiwan is just part of China then why is the military of mainland China never completely entering Taiwan? Why are they threatening to take it by force? Why are they speaking of re-unification if it's already part of China?

 

Are citizens of Taiwan allowed to vote in mainland China elections? No? Why not?

 

It's just utter denial of reality. The Taiwanese people want to be left alone and it's just the threat of force by China that keeps them in limbo.

 

[tandor]

Excuse me Mr. Ex-commander isn't that what supporting countries do when there's an imminent World War. 

How about getting SEATO back up and running; not sure if Pakistan would be a starter.

[tandor]

57 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

Thailand is never ever going to join NATO. They would never risk the ire of China. 

soon to be Chailand 

[parallelman]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Only problem is that Thailand is no democracy, and has no liberty, no human rights and no vision of freedom... Examples more over as look in prisons how they deal with inmates, the Thaksin soap, and of course the coming dissloving of the MFP and the refusal of Pita as PM....and many more

And Thailand always claiming a 'neutral' position.