Recent revelations from a discussion among Trump administration officials highlighted deep-seated disdain for Europe, perceived as freeloaders in defense matters. The confidential conversation, leaked via The Atlantic, featured comments from Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, dishonestly suggesting that any military benefits gained from strikes in Yemen were more advantageous to Europe than to the U.S. This sentiment included calls for European compensation, with one aide proposing a quid pro quo arrangement, underscoring a significant shift in diplomatic tone toward Europe.
"I just hate bailing out the Europeans again," wrote Vice President JD Vance, asserting that the strikes would benefit Europe far more than the United States.
"I fully share your loathing of European freeloading," Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, later replied. "It's PATHETIC."
A member of the chat identified as SM suggested that both Egypt and Europe should compensate the United States for the operation: "If Europe doesn't remunerate, then what?"
The exchange revealed real feelings and judgments about Europeans being geopolitical parasites, indicating a belief that U.S. military actions should be compensated.
#trump-administration #us-foreign-policy #europe-relations #military-operations #geopolitical-insights
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