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@SecRubio The US is proud to offer... something... without any mentioning of what that offer might be.

The United States will not tolerate any third-countries or their oil companies producing, extracting, or exporting oil and oil-related products with the Maduro regime in Venezuela. This is a regime that has consistently stolen elections, pillaged from its people, and colluded

SecDef Hegseth once said: “Any security professional would be fired on the spot and prosecuted for this kind of reckless conduct.” Today, he’s the one endangering national security. By his own standard, he should be gone. #HeadsShouldRoll

@Neil_Robinson64 @afneil Neil, can I suggest to you with the very greatest of respect it is how it is because this is PRECISELY how America wanted it. To protect and expand their own economic hegemony. That is about to change as Europe turns away from the US, damaging the US economically & militarily

@Neil_Robinson64 @afneil The Alliance is about keeping US world hegemony, so it benefits the US as much as Europe.

@afneil Picked up on that too. If they want to leave Europe/NATO, let them crack on. If you research the numbers/capabilities, a NATO without the US is actually pretty solid. We can still be at deterrent to Russia still and still take them on if necessary.

@Joelybarder @afneil There is also the "small" matter of UK and European politicians hurling abuse at the President constantly. If they can't respect him and hate him so much, why on earth would he want to help them?

@Joelybarder @afneil It doesn't discriminate against US business. The trade negotiations terminated in 2019. The US refused to meet EU standards. Try the facts.

@TimothyBoyle9 I'm not so sure about the second half of your list, unless you mean he needs number 2 to realise number 1.

@Joelybarder @afneil He doesn't love the UK and Europe. Things Trump loves (complete list): 1. HIMSELF 2. usa

@TimothyBoyle9 @Joelybarder @afneil Nope, money comes 2nd for him

@Joelybarder @afneil Many of us don't want Trump anywhere near Europe or the UK. He's an ego driven maniac.

@afneil It’s comforting to see that the U.S. finally has a government willing to liberate itself from the unhealthy relationship with the dying war torn continent of Europe.

@afneil He's right that once again the US is risking lives and spending treasure to resolve an issue the EU prefers to ignore and indulge for their own reasons.

@afneil How is it "anti-European" to expect Europe to defend itself or at least to reimburse the United States for its efforts financially? Protectorate nations have, throughout history, had to pay for the pleasure. Instead, Europe imposes heavy tariffs on American goods. They take

@KurtZindulka @afneil Nobby voted for the US as world policeman. They attack Yemen to support their allies Israel and Saudi Arabia while they wish to destroy Iran.

@afneil First rule of diplomacy: at some point in the future you're going to need friends overseas, so be good to your allies. True democracies tend to be more peaceful than dictatorships but there aren't many of them in global terms so they need to be supported and defended.

@afneil America always acts on her own behalf only. Always. The ‘special relationship’ is a sop to soothe British feelings, but meaningless otherwise. We need to beef up our own defence, externally and internally, for our own security, and if we ever wish to be taken seriously by others.

@afneil And yet European countries spend large % of their defence procurement budgets on American weapons. Looks like that’s changing though.

@afneil We could remind them why the Suez canal is not defended by European powers?

@afneil This was exactly my reaction too. Their hatred for Europe is genuine, not political showboating for the base. Crucial point for European leaders to grasp.

@afneil But Brexit was definitely a good idea, right? Even if it was a strategic goal for the Russians?

@afneil This is by far the most incompetent and dangerous leadership that America has ever elected. Our only saving grace could be their incompetence, the issue is there are no competent ones left to stifle their madness.

@afneil Rubbish take. Israel is Americas and proxy which is why America is defending Israel.

@afneil And I suspect the “special relationship” “Special” because it keeps us tethered. De Gaulle was right.

@afneil This should actually be something to celebrate. Massive investments in European defence will be a significant economic boost. Also Europe can now pursue an independent policy with China, based on mutual self interest. China is no threat to Europe.

@afneil They hate Europe so much they are even upset if it benefits incidentally.

@afneil Europe is very capable of defending itself. We have a nuclear deterant, we have very capable aircraft and Navy's. We have very capable defence systems. Putin knows this but his rhetoric is to down play this. What upsets EU is Vance's ignorance, but he does have a point.

@afneil Except they are not after Houthis because of Europe, it's because of Israel!

Will 🇺🇸 pull out of military exercises in Europe? It’s still unclear, but I fear that’s the direction in which things are heading. And then it will be for European nations to try to fill the gaps. It could be instructive - and useful. https://t.co/LVRoPFwsQz