• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Which US Ally is the Most Untrustworthy?[W:184:189]

Which US Ally is the Most Untrustworthy?


  • Total voters
    75

aberrant85

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2013
Messages
594
Reaction score
209
Location
SF Bay Area
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Liberal
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/world/asia/us-disrupts-afghans-tack-on-militants.html?_r=0

KABUL, Afghanistan — A bungled attempt by the Afghan government to cultivate a shadowy alliance with Islamist militants escalated into the latest flash point in the troubled relationship between Afghanistan and the United States, according to new accounts by officials from both countries.

The disrupted plan involved Afghan intelligence trying to work with the Pakistan Taliban, allies of Al Qaeda, in order to find a trump card in a baroque regional power game that is likely to intensify after the American withdrawal next year, the officials said. And what started the hard feelings was that the Americans caught them red-handed.

This recent article reminded me of some of the countries that over the last decade we've called friends, who time and again have looked very unfriendly. Of the following countries, which do you think is the most untrustworthy US ally?

Afghanistan: Besides the latest episode, a spate of "green-on-green" attacks where Afghan troops have turned on American troops, corruption in the government, and a seemingly never-ending deployment of our troops in the country make this an uneasy alliance.

Pakistan: This country is guilty of failing to locate Bin Laden in their midst, allowing the ISI to support the Afghan insurgency and Taliban, having little control over their territory, and having an extremely un-American populace. Add nukes into the mix and this is a volatile partnership that is still struggling.

Egypt: While they have been an ally in the war on terror, the military coup and government instability, human rights violations, and aggressive attitudes in the populace towards Israel all take their toll.

Saudi Arabia: Famously, 15 of the 19 9-11 hijackers were Saudis, the country was home to Bin Laden, and the country is where modern radical Islam was born. In addition, misogynistic laws, barbaric executions by beheading, and a self-serving royalty are all antithetical to American ideals. Seemingly, the only reason for our alliance is our dependency on Saudi oil.

Iraq: Nominally an ally (by force), the leadership of Iraq have nevertheless proven incapable of suppressing terrorism and sectarianism in their own country, destabilizing the region. They have also cozied up to Iran, including allowing Iranian flights through their airspace to provide shipments of goods to the Assad regime in Syria. Having lost thousands of lives propping up the country, there is little yet to show for it.

Israel: Elsewhere in the middle east, our closest ally in the region nonetheless has been a thorn in our side on occasions. Besides inserting us into an intractable conflict that consumes diplomatic efforts, Israel has recently exhibited a forceful nature, involving themselves in our political affairs and pushing us towards conflicts in Syria and Iran.

France: Our oldest ally, France seems to be our most visible love-hate relationship. On one hand, our alliance is responsible for our war in Vietnam. On the other hand, France was vilified for defying Bush's drive towards war in Iraq. While most of the time we share common values, the country's pride and independence can make its relationship with us unpredictable, and certain Americans just can't abide the French attitude.

South Korea: While a strong regional ally, our relationship nonetheless is predicated on stationing thousands of American troops on the front lines of a possible future nuclear war. In addition, the American presence has resulted in strong anti-American undercurrents in the populace. Is the alliance really worth it?

Other: Is it someone else?
 
Why no "All of the Above?"
 
Well ?, you really didn't think this poll out did you. ? (the ? no pun intended.)

Afghanistan and Iraq were never American allies.

Egypt use to be an ally until Obama threw Egypt under the bus.

Libya was also an ally fighting Al Qaeda and radical jihadist until Obama also threw them under the bus.

The United Kingdom was an alley for a hundred years until Obama disgraced the UK when one of his first action as POTUS was returning the bust of Winston Churchill that sat in the White House and returned it to the British Embassy.

When Obama bowed from the waist to every monarch he came across pretty much lost respect by every world leader.
Americans are never suppose to bow to Kings and Queens.

Those allies of the past sixty years no longer trust America. Obama spies upon them and has thrown so many former allies under the bus, you can no longer trust America.

But there is one ally who does trust Obama. MEXICO.
Obama and the radical left wants to award 10% of Mexican nationals who violated America's sovereignty with amnesty, citizenship and a big welcome to the Democrat Party with free stuff.
 
South Korea: While a strong regional ally, our relationship nonetheless is predicated on stationing thousands of American troops on the front lines of a possible future nuclear war. In addition, the American presence has resulted in strong anti-American undercurrents in the populace. Is the alliance really worth it?

This is completely wrong. The alliance between us and South Korean is based on keeping the DPRK neutral, and by preventing China's fat ass from stealing another slice of the global pie. If they win, millions die, South Korea ceases to exist, and then Japan and the Philippines are next. Our presence there is completely necessary, not just for them, but for us as well.

The only anti-American "undercurrents" are in the Arab/Turkish districts who are going to hate us regardless of what we do, and college towns full of extremely liberal kids who don't have any grasp on the reality of their situation. Their opinions mean jack **** to the USFK and ROK forces. Furthermore, the South Koreans aren't just our allies, they're our friends. So yes, it's worth it. It's worth every gallon of blood spilled to repel and destroy the North Korean forces, should they decide to do something stupid. If any member of the "axis of evil" should have been destroyed, it was Jong-Il. Saddam was a puppy dog compared to him, and his father, Il-Sung.
 
I voted Afghanistan. Call me prejudiced but I think they are backwards too many centuries and are thus beyond reach sadly. To think they were civilized at one time before Russia occupied the lands!
 
I actually can't believe we're really allies with any of these countries except France and South Korea.

I didn't vote because I can't decide which one is worse, Afghanistan or Pakistan.
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/29/world/asia/us-disrupts-afghans-tack-on-militants.html?_r=0
This recent article reminded me of some of the countries that over the last decade we've called friends, who time and again have looked very unfriendly. Of the following countries, which do you think is the most untrustworthy US ally?

Afghanistan: Besides the latest episode, a spate of "green-on-green" attacks where Afghan troops have turned on American troops, corruption in the government, and a seemingly never-ending deployment of our troops in the country make this an uneasy alliance.

Pakistan: This country is guilty of failing to locate Bin Laden in their midst, allowing the ISI to support the Afghan insurgency and Taliban, having little control over their territory, and having an extremely un-American populace. Add nukes into the mix and this is a volatile partnership that is still struggling.

Egypt: While they have been an ally in the war on terror, the military coup and government instability, human rights violations, and aggressive attitudes in the populace towards Israel all take their toll.

Saudi Arabia: Famously, 15 of the 19 9-11 hijackers were Saudis, the country was home to Bin Laden, and the country is where modern radical Islam was born. In addition, misogynistic laws, barbaric executions by beheading, and a self-serving royalty are all antithetical to American ideals. Seemingly, the only reason for our alliance is our dependency on Saudi oil.

Iraq: Nominally an ally (by force), the leadership of Iraq have nevertheless proven incapable of suppressing terrorism and sectarianism in their own country, destabilizing the region. They have also cozied up to Iran, including allowing Iranian flights through their airspace to provide shipments of goods to the Assad regime in Syria. Having lost thousands of lives propping up the country, there is little yet to show for it.

Israel: Elsewhere in the middle east, our closest ally in the region nonetheless has been a thorn in our side on occasions. Besides inserting us into an intractable conflict that consumes diplomatic efforts, Israel has recently exhibited a forceful nature, involving themselves in our political affairs and pushing us towards conflicts in Syria and Iran.

France: Our oldest ally, France seems to be our most visible love-hate relationship. On one hand, our alliance is responsible for our war in Vietnam. On the other hand, France was vilified for defying Bush's drive towards war in Iraq. While most of the time we share common values, the country's pride and independence can make its relationship with us unpredictable, and certain Americans just can't abide the French attitude.

South Korea: While a strong regional ally, our relationship nonetheless is predicated on stationing thousands of American troops on the front lines of a possible future nuclear war. In addition, the American presence has resulted in strong anti-American undercurrents in the populace. Is the alliance really worth it?

Other: Is it someone else?

I find it difficult to claim countries such as Pakistan or Afghanistan "allies". Though the relationship between the US and others on the list are better than with North Korea I do not think most of them would qualify as "allies". Even France is pretty ify having aligned with Saddam (with Germany and Russia), which effectively made Saddam believe he could avoid going the way Assad has just gone in eliminating chemical weapons under the auspices of UN Inspectors and by so doing causing a very expensive war. This was gauged to weaken the US and was (if it was understood by French, German and Russian leaders at the time and I am sure they are not naive) not the behavior of an ally but a latent enemy. But trust is also a function of culpability of a nations actions. And at least France's behavior of those tree is relatively calculable.

Of all the countries on the list I could possibly accept Israel and South Korea as more or less reliable allies. Their future is very dependent on the US and that stabilizes things under normal conditions. They will act against US wishes at times, when they think their national interests are in danger. Whether they would cause a war for the US like the French Axis did in Iraq, is another question and I am afraid the answer might be yes.
 
The United Kingdom was an alley for a hundred years until Obama disgraced the UK when one of his first action as POTUS was returning the bust of Winston Churchill that sat in the White House and returned it to the British Embassy.

I think he has done worse.
Why Barack Obama doesn't much care for Britain – Telegraph Blogs

Let's review the evidence. President Obama received from Gordon Brown a pen-holder made from the timbers of a Royal Navy anti-slavery vessel, and reciprocated with DVDs. He silkily downgraded the UK from "our closest ally" to "one of our allies". He gave the Queen an iPod full of his own speeches. He used the Louisiana oil spill to attack an imaginary company called "British Petroleum" (it has been BP for the past decade, ever since the merger with Amoco gave it as many American as British shareholders).

He managed, on his visit to West Africa, to refer to the struggle for independence, but not to the Royal Navy's campaign against slavery. He has refused to acknowledge our presence in Afghanistan in any major speech. He has even come dangerously close to backing Peronist Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands.

Barack Obama

1. Siding with Argentina over the Falkland Islands
2. Calling France America’s strongest ally
3. Lecturing Britain on a federal Europe and undercutting British sovereignty
4. Betraying Britain to appease Moscow over the New START Treaty
5. Airbrushing Britain from Europe
6. Throwing Churchill out of the Oval Office
7. Placing a “boot on the throat” of BP
8. DVDs for the Prime Minister
9. Insulting words from the State Department
]

and by far the worst

10. Confusing England with Great Britain

Perhaps less of an insult than an embarrassing indictment of Barack Obama’s Columbia and Harvard education, the president’s extraordinarily ignorant response to the storming of the British Embassy in Tehran last November, dubbing it the “English” Embassy, was the kind of elementary mistake that would have had America’s liberal press howling with derision had it been made a few years earlier by George W. Bush


To be honest, the special relationship is a thing of the past whilst the USA has a leader who has contempt for one of their longest and most faithful allies, whilst maintaining 10 Air Force bases in the UK, and using UK military bases around the world such as Diego Garcia. The Hypocrisy is incredible
 
Well ?, you really didn't think this poll out did you. ? (the ? no pun intended.)

Afghanistan and Iraq were never American allies.

Egypt use to be an ally until Obama threw Egypt under the bus.

Libya was also an ally fighting Al Qaeda and radical jihadist until Obama also threw them under the bus.

The United Kingdom was an alley for a hundred years until Obama disgraced the UK when one of his first action as POTUS was returning the bust of Winston Churchill that sat in the White House and returned it to the British Embassy.

When Obama bowed from the waist to every monarch he came across pretty much lost respect by every world leader.
Americans are never suppose to bow to Kings and Queens.

Those allies of the past sixty years no longer trust America. Obama spies upon them and has thrown so many former allies under the bus, you can no longer trust America.

But there is one ally who does trust Obama. MEXICO.
Obama and the radical left wants to award 10% of Mexican nationals who violated America's sovereignty with amnesty, citizenship and a big welcome to the Democrat Party with free stuff.

Hey I know you've taken a one way trip to crazy-town, but the UK-US alliance has not ended due to a piece of artwork being moved in the White House.
 
Pakistan, crazy and nukes just don't mix.
 
Well ?, you really didn't think this poll out did you. ? (the ? no pun intended.)

Afghanistan and Iraq were never American allies.

Egypt use to be an ally until Obama threw Egypt under the bus.

Libya was also an ally fighting Al Qaeda and radical jihadist until Obama also threw them under the bus.

The United Kingdom was an alley for a hundred years until Obama disgraced the UK when one of his first action as POTUS was returning the bust of Winston Churchill that sat in the White House and returned it to the British Embassy.

When Obama bowed from the waist to every monarch he came across pretty much lost respect by every world leader.
Americans are never suppose to bow to Kings and Queens.

Those allies of the past sixty years no longer trust America. Obama spies upon them and has thrown so many former allies under the bus, you can no longer trust America.

But there is one ally who does trust Obama. MEXICO.
Obama and the radical left wants to award 10% of Mexican nationals who violated America's sovereignty with amnesty, citizenship and a big welcome to the Democrat Party with free stuff.

Funny thing,.....I don't remember agreeing with you this frequently...:thinking
 
Hey I know you've taken a one way trip to crazy-town, but the UK-US alliance has not ended due to a piece of artwork being moved in the White House.

I don't think it has, but it was a smack across the old Chevy Chase...
 
Afghanistan and Iraq aren't really allies. Egypt is an extortionist, and the Paki's, well they're opportunists. SA probably right not fits the closest as untrustworthy ally/
 
This is completely wrong. The alliance between us and South Korean is based on keeping the DPRK neutral, and by preventing China's fat ass from stealing another slice of the global pie. If they win, millions die, South Korea ceases to exist, and then Japan and the Philippines are next. Our presence there is completely necessary, not just for them, but for us as well.

The only anti-American "undercurrents" are in the Arab/Turkish districts who are going to hate us regardless of what we do, and college towns full of extremely liberal kids who don't have any grasp on the reality of their situation. Their opinions mean jack **** to the USFK and ROK forces. Furthermore, the South Koreans aren't just our allies, they're our friends. So yes, it's worth it. It's worth every gallon of blood spilled to repel and destroy the North Korean forces, should they decide to do something stupid. If any member of the "axis of evil" should have been destroyed, it was Jong-Il. Saddam was a puppy dog compared to him, and his father, Il-Sung.
Concur with this. I have a few buddies who have served over there and they said the locals are nothing but polite and respectful towards them.

Also, great story, I was running the National Mall one day while visiting Marine Corps Base Quantico. I had run by the Vietnam Memorial earlier in the run and was pondering about how worthless Korea, Vietnam, and our current wars have been. When I arrived at the Korean War Memorial, there was a group of South Korean college students there. One of them had some sort of banner in her hand. Naturally I thought to myself "Great, these kids are probably going to leave some sort of anti-war, anti-America banner here." However, when they placed the banner up on the memorial it read "We will never forget the freedom you provided for us. Thank you American servicemen." I can't remember the name of the college that was on the banner. I want to say it was Korea University. It literally brought tears to my eyes to see that. I'll never forget that moment.
 
Pakistan. No doubt about it. They hid Bin Laden, still hide more terrorists, and abuse the money we give them to build up against India. Idk how our gov't can sit back and give that country the money that it does. Never mind, yeah I can.....
 
I voted Afghanistan. Call me prejudiced but I think they are backwards too many centuries and are thus beyond reach sadly. To think they were civilized at one time before Russia occupied the lands!
Idk about civilized. A few of the cities were somewhat civilized. That place is frozen in the 1700's man. Internet cafe's and a nightclub don't make a city civilized lol.
 
Pakistan by a country mile. Not even close.
 
I think he has done worse.
Why Barack Obama doesn't much care for Britain – Telegraph Blogs





Barack Obama

]

and by far the worst




To be honest, the special relationship is a thing of the past whilst the USA has a leader who has contempt for one of their longest and most faithful allies, whilst maintaining 10 Air Force bases in the UK, and using UK military bases around the world such as Diego Garcia. The Hypocrisy is incredible




If the UK wants to dump its relationship with the USA and sign up with Russia that's fine with me.
 
OTHER: There are no US allies who ARE trustworthy.
 
> Accidentally votes France. :doh

Pakistan, they're no ally. But that goes for everyone else other than France, South Korea, and Israel.
 
This is completely wrong. The alliance between us and South Korean is based on keeping the DPRK neutral, and by preventing China's fat ass from stealing another slice of the global pie. If they win, millions die, South Korea ceases to exist, and then Japan and the Philippines are next. Our presence there is completely necessary, not just for them, but for us as well.

The only anti-American "undercurrents" are in the Arab/Turkish districts who are going to hate us regardless of what we do, and college towns full of extremely liberal kids who don't have any grasp on the reality of their situation. Their opinions mean jack **** to the USFK and ROK forces. Furthermore, the South Koreans aren't just our allies, they're our friends. So yes, it's worth it. It's worth every gallon of blood spilled to repel and destroy the North Korean forces, should they decide to do something stupid. If any member of the "axis of evil" should have been destroyed, it was Jong-Il. Saddam was a puppy dog compared to him, and his father, Il-Sung.

Even though I'll get a lot of slack for this, I'll say it anyways.
As a South Korean, I have to say that I view the US presence somewhat negatively. There have been some ugly cases involving US troops (though I'm sure that it is the rule for any force stationed for a long time. We committed the same crimes in Vietnam, something fellow Koreans always overlook while raging about crimes committed by USFK). Only a few days ago I saw an article commenting on the rapid rise of drug trafficking by the USFK. There were other unsavory instances, and the SOFA agreement is of course representative about the alliance being one-sided.
As for the common perception that the USFK is deterring a North Korean attack, I very much doubt it. The US already has a more powerful deterrent in the form of nuclear arms, and it is my opinion that the USFK should be withdrawn both for Korea and to help with the finances of the US.
As for the alliance, it has been very much one-sided as I mentioned before in the past, and is still somewhat one-sided now, though considerably less. For more, see the KORUS FTA.

Now, American posters reading this may wonder whether we Koreans are such bastards as me. Well, most except the far left are mostly pro-American, though in a sense that it's at least the much lesser among other evils. As for whether I'm an anti-US bastard, I am thankful to the gods that our asses were saved by the US in the Korean war (or the 2nd Korean war, depending on the reader's view of history) and I still hold the US and its citizens in high regard, as demonstrated on this very forum.
 
Concur with this. I have a few buddies who have served over there and they said the locals are nothing but polite and respectful towards them.

Also, great story, I was running the National Mall one day while visiting Marine Corps Base Quantico. I had run by the Vietnam Memorial earlier in the run and was pondering about how worthless Korea, Vietnam, and our current wars have been. When I arrived at the Korean War Memorial, there was a group of South Korean college students there. One of them had some sort of banner in her hand. Naturally I thought to myself "Great, these kids are probably going to leave some sort of anti-war, anti-America banner here." However, when they placed the banner up on the memorial it read "We will never forget the freedom you provided for us. Thank you American servicemen." I can't remember the name of the college that was on the banner. I want to say it was Korea University. It literally brought tears to my eyes to see that. I'll never forget that moment.

Korea or Koryo?
 
I was stationed in Korea for two years and I thought the people were perfectly fine and normal. Some assholes, some nice folks. But that's beside the point. South Korea shouldn't even be an option on the list: they're one of the US' best allies.
 
Back
Top Bottom