If there's any silver lining at all to the senseless tragedy and atrocity of what's currently happening in Ukraine right now it may be the strengthening and growth of NATO, the vital need for which has always been clear to those paying attention but never moreso than now going back to collapse of the Soviet Union. If there are two, then it might be Putin being invited by the Russian people to Red Square to do his best Muammar Qaddafi impersonation.
Agreed, those in the West calling for it's dissolution are either patsies for Russian propaganda or, like antivaxxers, completely ignorant to how hard and dangerous life was prior to its existence.
Under NATO membership, my country, Greece, has seen, among other things: the imprisonment, torture, exile, or even execution of thousands of political opponents during the Cold War, a CIA-backed military junta for seven years, a wave of Greek refugees from the Istanbul pogrom of 1955, which was backed by the Turkish branch of NATO's Operation Gladio, full-blown NATO aggression in our immediate vicinity in the Yugoslav wars, and, of course, incessant implicit or explicit threats of invasion by fellow NATO member Turkey, which have also been used by our governments to justify a constant stream of huge purchases of NATO-built military equipment, despite serious and increasing economic hardships for ordinary Greeks. Your point again?
Ironically, Dmitry Peskov (Putin's spokesman) said yesterday, that the purpose of so called 'special military operation' in Ukraine was to prevent the WWIII. Well, things are going quite the opposite...
Not sure about the too remote bit - who but the Russian navy have recently been operating in Irish waters and conducting live fire exercises off the Irish coast.
Originally it was just because we didn’t want to be associated with the UK, but then people started believing that “neutrality” was one of our core concepts and it has stayed that way since.
Congrats to Finland. This is very obviously the right move and good for them and for the world. Distrust anyone who says otherwise.
But... they did not yet join NATO. They voted to apply for NATO membership. Their application has to be received and approved before they become NATO members, it's not automatic, and Erdogan (who is himself a corrupt and self-dealing would-be despot very much like Putin or Trump) might block it, if he doesn't think it will benefit him personally.
Anyone familiar with why Luxembourg takes up the fight?
I guess it's nice to know there are fewer countries unsigned and freeloading than aren't. Though there is certainly an unequal contribution by members.
As I understand it, Serbia is Russia-friendly, which explains their absence.
Austria is neutral(?). Both it, and Ireland are 'partners' (..so are RUS/UKR/BEL..)
The weak links are, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Germany, France (in that order)? Why is it always France...
The strongest links are US, UK, ? Maybe Canada, Netherlands, Poland, Baltics. You'd have to discriminate between will of populace, government, and capability.
Moldova has a border dispute in Transnistria, which prevents membership regardless of will, afaik.
I know there's some UN-backed NATO peace-keeping operation or something of the sort in Kosovo re Serbia conflict. I don't know anything about Bosnia- apparently it's in negotiations to become a member.
AFAIK Cyprus is heavily Russian populated or associated.
Could you refrain from calling countries that were on the forefront of nuclear annihilation during the cold war and who have faithfully sent troops to many of the idiotic US-led operations a "weak link"?
Tyvm
Just because Germany and France refused to participate in the illegal invasion of Iraq does not make them weak, just not willing and poodle-like followers like the UK.
Sweden's not going to be able to join, Hungary won't allow it unless they stop talking trash about Hungary's "democracy", and as Sweden is actually a democracy, they can't tell opposing politicians what to do and say. Therefore, 'tis unlikely Sweden will be a NATO member anytime soon.
Finland is now in nato, also Sweden will join sometime soon, hungary wasnt the only country stopping them from joining it was also Turkey. Turkey is allowing Sweden to join NATO in return for them to join the EU.
As a Turk , ı am proud to be in NATO. Turkish youth feel be European. If we can get rid of the refugees(Syrians,Afghans,Pakistanis,Arabs) ın our country , we want to enter the EU.
Idk what getting rid of refugees has to do with being or becoming an EU member. You should get rid of your president instead or breaches of human rights if you want a chance. Don't see that happening any time soon.
Ah, the classic blame-the-outsiders game instead of accepting responsibility for your problems. Maybe Turkey will be admitted one day, but there's still a long journey ahead before it happens.
That's most of NATO. All members of NATO are supposed to allot 2% of their GDP to defense spending. Currently only the USA, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and the UK meet that goal. The remaining 24 do not. Even with an aggressive Russia on their doorstep. It's one reason why certain politicians don't believe NATO is a particularly useful organization.
Not that recent, actually happened back in April. Sweden is looking likely to be added soon, given that Turkey finally blinked and has agreed to put Sweden's membership up to a vote there. That just leaves Hungary blocking Sweden's path.
I doubt Hungary will hold out for long given with Turkey starting to change its support, I imagine the rest of NATO is pretty tired of Orbans actions at this point and can start turning screws to make Hungary agree.
Im really surpised that i got all 31 countries. Last one was Iceland. I am feeling safe that Iceland with no military is on our side! (I am from Finland. Really hapoy that it joined in NATO) This seems pretty old quiz because here is comments from 2012. Good that this quiz is still updating :)
Even at the resolution of this conflict when the treaties all shake out, part of the treaty will likely be Ukraine does NOT get admitted into NATO. I think it will still be a few decades until that happens if ever. The fact that there is disputed territory in Ukraine makes it a very dangerous addition.
Honestly great quiz, personally came back when Sweden's application went through and had to redo it. Missed one or two ones that I could've gotten but still did a good percent
But... they did not yet join NATO. They voted to apply for NATO membership. Their application has to be received and approved before they become NATO members, it's not automatic, and Erdogan (who is himself a corrupt and self-dealing would-be despot very much like Putin or Trump) might block it, if he doesn't think it will benefit him personally.
We will need to add Sweden and finland soon
I guess it's nice to know there are fewer countries unsigned and freeloading than aren't. Though there is certainly an unequal contribution by members.
As I understand it, Serbia is Russia-friendly, which explains their absence.
Austria is neutral(?). Both it, and Ireland are 'partners' (..so are RUS/UKR/BEL..)
The weak links are, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Germany, France (in that order)? Why is it always France...
The strongest links are US, UK, ? Maybe Canada, Netherlands, Poland, Baltics. You'd have to discriminate between will of populace, government, and capability.
Moldova has a border dispute in Transnistria, which prevents membership regardless of will, afaik.
I know there's some UN-backed NATO peace-keeping operation or something of the sort in Kosovo re Serbia conflict. I don't know anything about Bosnia- apparently it's in negotiations to become a member.
AFAIK Cyprus is heavily Russian populated or associated.
Tyvm
Just because Germany and France refused to participate in the illegal invasion of Iraq does not make them weak, just not willing and poodle-like followers like the UK.
I doubt Hungary will hold out for long given with Turkey starting to change its support, I imagine the rest of NATO is pretty tired of Orbans actions at this point and can start turning screws to make Hungary agree.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO
Oh, sweet, innocent Quizmaster!