Donald Trump has sparked fresh outrage in the UK after saying Nato troops stayed “a little off the front lines” during the war in Afghanistan.

Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the chair of the foreign affairs committee, called it an “absolute insult” to the 457 British service personnel killed in the conflict, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “How dare he question their sacrifice?”

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan, said it was “sad to see our nation’s sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply”.

The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan from 2001, after it invoked Nato’s collective security clause following the 9/11 terror attacks.

    • despite_velasquez@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      How is that not the most based thing Trump has done?

      Avoiding an unjust war of aggression for any reason should be commended, not criticised

    • Goodeye8@piefed.social
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      4 days ago

      This is the stupidity of NATO. Article 5 was invoked because article 5 is ambiguously worded and left open for abuse. A terrorist cell doing an act of terror is grounds for invoking article 5. But terrorist cells don’t have borders so who are you defending yourself from? Depending on how brazen you are you can point the finger at any country and say “that’s where the terrorists are” and then go invade that country.

      • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
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        3 days ago

        Of course

        That doesn’t take away that he is a draft dodger and should shut the fuck up about anything military because he’s a coward (amongst hundreds of other bad things)

      • ArtVandelay@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        I also agree the Vietnam war was an unjust one, but let’s not pretend that he dodged the draft for any reason other than being a complete fucking coward

        • despite_velasquez@lemmy.world
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          3 days ago

          That’s still a valid reason to dodge a draft. I’m not defending Trump, but I’m a coward too. War sucks, war is horrible, I’d rather not go participate

      • phutatorius@lemmy.zip
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        3 days ago

        People can do the right thing for wrong reasons. Trump never does anything for the right reason.

  • Rooty@lemmy.world
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    4 days ago

    Europe should have never gotten itself involved in US oil wars, article 5 be damned. In a way I am glad the veneer of civilty has been stripped from transatlantic relations, and we can stop bending backwards every time Washington farts.

  • qyron@sopuli.xyz
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    4 days ago

    There more subtle ways to sow discord. But carry on. Let’s see of this sets enough asses on fire and meaningful things start being done.

  • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
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    3 days ago

    It depended on the country. Countries like the UK and Poland played a major role in fighting operations and deserve praise for their contributions.

    Other NATO countries contributed a lot less.