US Warning on NATO

Not surprisingly the US has warned that it will not forever plug the gaps arising from decreased defence spending in Europe. We're learning the hard way with NATO expected to do most of the Libya operation, and a stern warning over our inability to provide enough force in Afghanistan (this one we could argue was a mess of America's own making, and a severe lack of understanding of previous history).

But overall I can't blame them, it does not bode well if the US decide to sit back a bit and not be so interventionist.

For Britain's part we do spend an awful lot on defence, but it is badly allocated - its laughable to think we must have analysts working on defining the needs for the next 50 years, but we struggle with an ever changing threat and lack of investment in forces that are needed right now.

I can only hope that cutbacks make us think more carefully what we really need to be effective. Trident replacement has been surprisingly quiet of late. The RAF and Navy finally have some idea that they can work together with the Apache helicopters on board HMS Ocean. This kind of thing is vital to get the most out of what we spend.