Is The U.S. Displeased With The New British - French Military Alliance?

Defence Pact With French 'Risks Alliance With The U.S.', Washington's Former Ambassador To The UN Warns -- The Daily Mail

David Cameron was warned last night that his new defence pact with France will provoke a split with the Americans.

John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the UN, told the Mail the deal to share nuclear secrets and aircraft carriers with France is not supported by large sections of the American defence community.

He claimed the deal – dubbed the Entente Frugale because it saves money – will lead Washington to cut intelligence sharing with the UK and lead to the subordination of British sovereignty.

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Previous Post: A Landmark 50-Year Defence Deal Is Signed Between Britain And France

My Comment: Considering the financial crisis that both European countries are now going through, the U.S. will probably turn a blind eye to this new military arrangement.

White House Offer To Station A U.S. Aircraft Carrier Off The British Coast During The London Olympics Has Been Rejected

(Click Image to Enlarge)
Offer: The White House Wants To Send A U.S. Aircraft Carrier To Be Stationed Off The British Coast And Boost Security During The London Olympics

U.S. Wants Own Aircraft Carrier In The Thames Estuary During Olympics -- The Daily Mail

The White House has offered to send a U.S. aircraft carrier to be stationed off the British coast and boost security during the London Olympics, Ministry of Defence sources claimed last night.

The suggestion is said to have been rejected by No10 because it would make the UK look ‘weak’. And last night Downing Street was silent on the claim.

But a well-placed source, with knowledge of international discussions about security for the 2012 Games, said the MoD had been offered a U.S. carrier, based in the Thames Estuary, to help defend the skies over London and eavesdrop on any terrorist ‘chatter’.

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My Comment: British pride is on full display .... but if something goes terribly wrong, there will be hell to pay politically if the presence of such a vessel would have made a difference.

The Changing U.S. - British Military Relationship

British soldiers firing at Taliban positions in Helmand. Britain is the United States’ most important ally in the coalition. Eros Hoagland for The New York Times

Failure To Fund Armed Forces 'Threatens Britain's Special Relationship With US' -- The Telegraph

Britain's "special relationship" with the United States is threatened by our Government's failure to properly fund its Armed Forces and "hold up its end of the bargain", a senior US economist has warned.

Irwin Stelzer, a senior fellow and director of Hudson Institute's economic policy studies group, said Britain and America face the same global threats - international terrorism, nuclear weapons in the hands of North Korea and Iran, the Taliban threat in Pakistan and a resurgent Russia.

But while Britain has previously always stood shoulder to shoulder with its bigger ally on defence issues, he said, recent political decisions not to do so – apparently motivated by cost – has made the Pentagon nervous and led it to question the UK's commitment.

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More News On Britain

PM 'will listen to Army demands' -- BBC
Armed Forces chiefs call for more troops and helicopters in Afghanistan -- The Telegraph
U.K. Army Chief Dannatt Says More Resources Needed -- Bloomberg
Relentless rise of Afghanistan casualties laid bare -- Times Online
Scarcity of Copters Fuels British Debate Over War -- New York Times

My Comment: A lack of leadership and direction from the top, coupled with a lack of funding and monies necessary to maintain a properly equipped military .... has brought Britain to where it is today.

For me .... the symbol of idiocy can be seen in their development of two new aircraft carriers for their Navy. While they are building these ships .... they have yet to commit the resources for its airplanes, and while this debate is going on, British soldiers who are fighting in Afghanistan do not have the necessary helicopters to fly them around.

I am sure that when U.S. Generals and Defense staff look at what is happening to what was once the world's most formidable fighting force .... they are shaking their heads.

The U.S. Needs A Reset Button for Britain -- A Commentary

From Commentary Magazine:

While President Barack Obama tries to improve U.S. relations with rogue states like Syria and Iran, he might want to ensure ties with our closest ally aren’t strained in the meantime. Damascus and Tehran will remain hostile as long as they’re ruled by Bashar Assad and Ayatollah Khamenei, but Britain has long been a reliable friend no matter who is in charge. President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair forged a strong personal friendship despite their ideological differences, yet President Obama is off to an embarrassing start with his Downing Street counterpart.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown felt half snubbed on his visit to the U.S. a few days ago when he didn’t receive the customary press conference and dinner. According to London’s Daily Telegraph, the Obama administration says the president was too tired.

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My Comment: I agree with Michael Totten's commentary .... a better job should have been done. It appears that we are witnessing a number of growing pains for the Obama White House. I can only hope that there will not be too many of these "embarrassing" moments in the future.