NATO’s Rasmussen Is a Big Old Hawk
OK, it’s officially NATO-in-Afghanistan Day at The Streak. Matthew Yglesias notes the hawkishness of Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO secretary general, and
Jul 31, 20201.2K Shares1.2M Views
OK, it’s officially NATO-in-Afghanistan Dayat The Streak. Matthew Yglesias notesthe hawkishness of Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO secretary general, and writes that Rasmussen appears “considerably more hawkish in his rhetoric on Afghanistan than Barack Obama is.” I don’t quite know what accounts for that, but Yglesias reminds us that when Rasmussen was prime minister of Denmark, he was the only Scandinavian leader not only to support the invasion of Iraq but to send troops to help with it. And under his government, Denmark actually imprisoned a whistleblowerwho leaked documents that cast doubt on Iraq’s possession of weapons of mass destruction.
Leaving that, uh, aside for the moment, it’s kind of a cost-free American position to upbraid European allies for not pulling their weight in Afghanistan. But Yglesias crunches the numbers and determines that tiny Denmark is, proportionally, shouldering a massive burden:
“„Denmark only has 700 soldiers in Afghanistan of whom 26 have been killed, but Denmark has about as many people in it as Cook County. Scaled up to America’s population this would be as if we had had about 1,400 soldiers killed out of a 38,000-strong deployment. Of course in a war absolute number count and Denmark is still a small contributor.
Camilo Wood
Reviewer
Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing.
Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers.
Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles