Pentagon goes into 'damage control' mode to reassure NATO allies

[demmiblue]

Source: NBC

WASHINGTON — Hours after President Donald Trump departed NATO headquarters Thursday, U.S. military leaders embarked on a full-scale “damage control” operation with calls to their counterparts across Europe to reassure them that America will abide by its defense commitments in the region.

The outreach, directed by the Pentagon leadership, came after Trump threatened to reassess those commitments during a gathering with NATO allies in Brussels, according to multiple current and former diplomatic and military officials familiar with the calls.

The overall message from senior military officials in a series of phone calls to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been that U.S. military bases in their countries will remain open and American troop levels in the region will not be reduced.

The Pentagon-led effort was meant to counter Trump’s withering criticism about the security alliance that rattled European leaders.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/pentagon-goes-damage-control-mode-reassure-nato-allies-n891096

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Very good news

command, operational, and actual control of an organization are 3 very different things.

In some areas, Trump is just making noise and no one is paying attention

[atreides1]

12. US Constitution

Or did you forget that the US military is required to follow the orders of the President!

Let's look at the annual training exercise with South Korea that was canceled by Trump, based on the "agreement" he made with North Korea!

North Korea has reneged on their part of the "agreement", and so far the annual training is still canceled!!!

The Pentagon is basically lying to our NATO allies...

[bucolic_frolic]

13. Oh yeah?

The President is required to follow the U.S. Constitution too. Is it happening? A lot of things on paper don't actually happen. Spirit and letter of the law, and that sort of thing.

[karynnj]

16. Trump makes noise, considers the problem fixed and loses interest

Here, from the accounts of other leaders, the statement simply ratifies the exact same committment everyone made in 2014. I agree with both of you.

Trump can do things like cancel military exercises which signal that we do not really support all NATO countries. In addition, he can make statements that cause people to question Trump's position.

On the other hand, many things happen at a lower level -- and the Pentagon seems to working to keep those functions as normal as possible.

Before Trump took office, many were comfortable that the "government" would make rapid changes in policy difficult. Policies typically do not abruptly change overnight. Not to mention, many pundits and our leaders thought he would need the Republicans with experience in running government agencies and they would act to temper Trump's policies. Any of us who hoped that might save us until Trump was out were wrong -- Trump and his cabal are destroying carefully crafted processes and agreements.

[Merlot]

14. Not good news if the military hs circumventing the president

[Zoonart]

2. Clean -Up on isle 9!

Sad.

[pazzyanne]

3. Thank God!

It is reassuring to know that the Pentagon leadership is there providing the leadership that usually the United States President provides. I have noticed that tRump is making himself irrelevant in many ways. The media is starting to hold his feet to the fire and so is the world at large. Too bad that the people that voted for him are too stupid to notice what is actually happening. Whenever I read a post that says "we put him in office to see the librals heads explode" I immediately reply "Too bad you think that is what is happening. Actually, your president's head is exploding. Good job!"

[MBS]

7. + 100 n/t

[atreides1]

9. Empty promises!!!

The U.S. military, by law is required to follow the orders of the President! If Trump orders the military to stand down and do nothing, what do you think the military is going to do?

The Pentagon is actually lying to our NATO allies and our NATO allies know it!!!

As long as Trump has the Republicans in Congress carrying his water and continued Russian interference in US elections, he is not irrelevant!!!

[Merlot]

15. He's not making himself irrelevant and the military is not elected

It's NEVER good when the military goes against the president.

If military wants to change things it should be having meetings with repub senators regarding impeachement.

[pazzyanne]

18. Your comment makes sense.

Maybe my feelings are getting in the way, but I do feel he is making himself irrelevant. However when the Pentagon feels it must enter the diplomatic area, which it has done several times, something is very wrong with our leadership. Time will tell. In the meantime I will continue to Resist, Persist, and will vote Blue.

[Achilleaze]

4. "We also think the republican Draft-Dodger is a major a-hole." - Pentagon

"And we really do not want to have to put on a dog-and-pony parade, and then be forced to salute a freaking five-time republican draft dodger. republicans are rubbing our faces in IT."

- Pentagon

[hlthe2b]

5. A virtual coup d'etat--treating Trump like the crazy uncle locked in the attic--

may be our only hope at this point. Heaven help us..

[Merlot]

17. Having the military in control would not help us.

military lives for war, with out war military dies. with military in congtrol, ALL our resources would be put towards war. The pentagon budget is already bloted enough - it's like a huge virus eating the rest of the budget.

[hlthe2b]

19. Thus, VIRTUAL

implies only that they are trying to act in the background to ameliorate his damage

Don't dare suggest I was commenting on any benefits of ACTUAL overthrow.

[pangaia]

6. America will NOT abide by its defense commitments in the region.

Wait for it !!!!

[atreides1]

8. Please

It's all BS!!

Let's face that fact, U.S. military leaders are making promises they can't keep...by law the US military answers to the President, and if he orders the military to stand down and do nothing while the Russians invade the Baltic States...that's exactly what the U.S military will do!!!

Our NATO allies know that the "assurances" they are receiving from the U.S. military, isn't worth squat!!!

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Except, they really can't make those promises. When you have a CIC who

thinks he's God, and you have already backed down from military exercises with SK, why should anyone believe your reassurance?

[Freethinker65]

11. I hope they realize they will be doing this again soon after the Putin Summit