ASSESSMENTS

The U.S. and Europe Face Off on Military Spending

Oct 16, 2010 | 14:04 GMT

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Summary

U.S. officials are voicing concerns that cuts to European defense spending will result in a massive deterioration of NATO's capabilities. The problem is that the cuts, while officially part of European austerity measures in light of the economic crisis, also reflect disparate threat assessments among NATO member states. If it can overcome vested political and economic interests, however, Europe could use the economic crisis to modernize its militaries.

European defense budget cuts, which have alarmed senior U.S. officials, are about much more than austerity measures....

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