Argentina asks to join NATO as President Milei seeks a more prominent role for his nation

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina formally requested on Thursday to join NATO as a global partner, a status that would clear the way for greater political and security cooperation at a time when the right-wing government of President Javier Milei aims to boost ties with Western powers and attract investment.

The request came as NATO’s Deputy General Secretary Mircea Geoana held talks in Brussels on regional security challenges with visiting Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri.

Geoana said he welcomed Argentina’s bid to become an accredited partner in the alliance — a valued role short of “ally” for nations that are not in NATO’s geographical area and not required to take part in collective military actions. NATO membership is currently limited to countries of Europe, Turkey, Canada and the United States.

The designation could allow Argentina access to advanced technology, security systems and training not previously available to it, the Argentine presidency said.

https://apnews.com/article/president-milei-argentina-nato-f16s-military-bf56ef4b18646438500c921250c66e93

[LeftInTX]

1. What????

Will they defend Antarctica from terrorists?

[ripcord]

2. Nato has other global partners that aren't in Europe or North America

Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Pakistan and in Latin America Columbia is also a global partner.

[Diraven]

5. Afghanistan is suspended

Unsurprisingly

[peppertree]

11. Exactly. Milei thinks the U.S. can "get" him re-elected - despite 300% inflation and deep depression.

That's why - and the only reason - he brown-noses Washington so much.

All Latin American right-wingers, you see, view the U.S. government as easily flattered and very much given to putting their thumb on the scale for you if you do so.

They also see them as clueless and easily manipulated (especially Republicans).

Hence Milei's ridiculous curtsies.

[LeftInTX]

15. He's Argentina's Trump....yuck!!! And that's pretty much how I saw the NATO move. Some sort of attention ploy.

[peppertree]

17. That's what it is.

With friends like those, we don't need enemies.

He pleads China's case for them better than the best from Beijing ever could. Unwittingly, of course - like everything else he does.

[Diraven]

3. They should be in SATO

Just sayin

[DFW]

16. That's what I was thinking

“Give me money, I’ll praise you.”

It did work for Romania and Bulgaria, but they are in Europe, and were Soviet colonies as recently as 35 years ago. They pulled the same stunt with the EU, which they had no business joining. They suck money out of the EU, and export their organized crime and their poverty westward.

What’s Argentina’s argument? They need NATO to protect them from attacks by Brazil, Chile and Paraguay?

[peppertree]

18. Great metaphor. That's his angle exactly.

Like all Latin right-wingers, he thinks Americans are stupid - and easily flattered.

And what with his "Mileise" (300% inflation; deep depression), he thinks they can get him re-elected regardless - if he just butters them up a little.

And like Trump, he's actively considering martial law - which he thinks Biden will tacitly support (!) because Milei's an "ally."

Sure. "A lie."

[bucolic_frolic]

4. What does Argentina have to do with the North Atlantic?

[ripcord]

7. What does Japan or Australia have to do with the North Atlantic?

But both are NATO global partners.

[peppertree]

12. Nothing. Milei thinks the U.S. can "get" him re-elected - despite 300% inflation and deep depression.

That's why he brown-noses Washington so much.

All Latin American right-wingers, you see, view the U.S. government as easily flattered and very much given to putting their thumb on the scale for you if you do so.

They also see them as clueless and easily manipulated (especially Republicans).

Hence Milei's ridiculous curtsies.

[totodeinhere]

22. In fairness Argentina had hyperinflation long before

Milei came along. For instance it was 20,000% in March of 1990. However, it has gone from 175% to 300% since he took office.

[peppertree]

23. And not just the doubling in inflation - but a generalized depression

Because the massive devaluation was part of a broader set of shock policies, real incomes and business investment have both plummeted since November.

The flip side, is that the "Mileise" has eased pressure on hard currency reserves considerably (plus the fact that he owes importers $7 billion).

Savings which he's now jeopardizing by committing to blow $8 billion on Reagan-era F-16s - that Ukraine wouldn't even accept as gifts.

Which Argentina can't use anyway - because the Brits impose an Argentine ban on all U.K.-sourced parts, equipment and weapons (even if they have a 1% British component - which most do).

And he has no idea what he's doing - since all decisions are taken by his witch-doctor sister, after séances with his late dog.

In short - misgovernance of Idi Amin proportions. Worse even than Trump (for now!).

[JT45242]

6. North Atlantic treaty organization...

Apparently the Argentinian president failed geography as his country is clearly not part of the north Atlantic.

Organization of American states or some other organization would make sense.

[ripcord]

8. Or you failed on your knowledge of NATO

[XorXor]

9. They are looking to become a "global partner"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_global_partners

[peppertree]

24. He's looking for the U.S. to "get" him re-elected

Milei - an overgrown, Chucky doll-like child who makes Trump look like Biden - is convinced the U.S. will put its thumb on the scale for him.

Which, of course, is his only hope - given the hyperinflationary depression he's thrown them into (by decree, I might add).

Argentina's paltry military budget - 0.3% of GDP - is not only laughably far from NATO standards (2%); but they can't even buy fighter jets because they all have at least a 1% U.K. component, and by U.S. law Argentina therefore can't access them.

It's the mouse that roared - and Biden knows it.

That's why he didn't endorse Milei's clownish bid for the OECD either: you have to be either developed, or on your way - and Argentina gets further away every month Milei's in office.

[peppertree]

13. Exactly. Milei - like Trump - is as ignorant as he is beastly

But he thinks the U.S. can "get" him re-elected - despite 300% inflation and deep depression. That's why he brown-noses Washington so much.

All Latin American right-wingers, you see, view the U.S. government as easily flattered and very much given to putting their thumb on the scale for you if you do so.

They also see them as clueless and easily manipulated - hence his little curtsies.

[Turbineguy]

10. SNATO

Doesn't exactly roll of the tongue.

[David__77]

14. He is a fascist.

[peppertree]

21. And how! Starving the country, while committing to spend $8 BILLION on Reagan-era F-16s

Which Argentina can't use anyway - because the Brits impose an Argentine embargo on all U.K.-sourced parts, equipment and weapons (even if they have a 1% British component - which most do).

And meanwhile...

[EnergizedLib]

19. Does he know?

Last edited Mon Apr 22, 2024, 12:01 PM - Edit history (1)

Is there a reason why a South American country isn’t part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

I don’t trust someone like that who could have all-knowing knowledge about NATO, who he could share with someone else, who in turn can share it with someone else.

[peppertree]

20. He thinks that Washington will "get" him re-elected if he just flatters them enough.

It's especially absurd in this case because Argentina's defense budget - a paltry 0.3% of GDP (one of the smallest proportions on earth) - is nowhere near the 2% NATO expects of its members and global partners.

And not only can Argentina not afford the 600% real increase in military outlays this calls for (!) - but they're barred from most modern jet fighter equipment and weaponry, for instance, because they almost all have British parts which the U.K. has banned Argentina from having.

Suffice it to say, the Brits will not lift the ban just because Biden grants the Argentines a NATO "global partner" designation.

Biden probably won't in any case - for the same reason they're ignoring Milei's pleas to be included in the OECD: because Argentina doesn't qualify by a longshot - and because with Milei, they're only getting further and further away.