"The research, carried out at the tail-end of the conflict in Iraq, shows three quarters of Britons (73%) consider America to be Britain's most reliable ally - with Australia getting the second highest poll position with one in 20 (four per cent) naming it. European countries do not fair so well, with France, Germany and Ireland considered Britain's most reliable ally by just one per cent each." http://www.mori.com/polls/2003/ft030415.shtml
Not suprising really, it's not just the recent conflict's in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait. In 1982 the Falkland Islands task force was offered and given the then latest version of the Sidewinder missile direct from US war stocks, this allowed the small force of Sea Harrier's available to even things up a bit. The US airfield on Ascention island was made available for British use. Other supplies were made readily available as was US intelligence information. What is not well known is that the US was also ready (if asked) to make available a US aircraft carrier for British use. Too much about World War II to mention here in detail but how about, The Lend lease programme, Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden, The UK based Flying Fortress Squadrons, The 300 Sherman tanks made available for the battle of EL Alamein (before any were given to the US Army), the US Navy warships escorting British convoys ( this even before the USA entered the war. The UK of course did lots in return and it was a two way thing, but 'mates is mates' and it's when the bullets are flying that you know who your 'mates' are. The Aussie's are great too, still stuck by the UK in World War II when the UK was unable to protect her from the Japanese as we had always promised to do.
hardly a revolutionary poll. so alliances are made along frikkin ethnic lines. what else is new? i piss on the warmongering anglos.
also, just look at what happens when you go against american ideals, the first instance that comes to mind is the suez canal crises, the US simply shamed the anglo-franco-israel action and market prices on british goods began to plumet! I'm not saying the average person thinks like this but government attitudes towards foreign powers certainly influences the public.
What exactly is 'friendship' in the inernational community? Presumeably each state acts for its own best interests. If your interests correspond with another, great - you work together perhaps. If they frequently correspond, you're allies. Great. But suppose the UK's 'best interests' are not served by backing the US. Should the UK back the US because it's an ally? Desn't this make the government irresponsible? In which case this whole argument is, essentially, irrelevant. We're not 'great plas', we just have extensively overlapping interests. Though I would argue it was against UK interests to back the Iraq war, but we shall see... If you ever get to a point where you pout your national interests behind those of an ally, I would say there is something seriously wrong with your political rulers.
What a load of crap. Alliances are not made on the colour of skin, Spookz, they're made along the lines of compatible political views and sometimes similar cultures. Perhaps you'd care to explain why Germany, Russia and France were adamantly against the Iraq thing when their racial backgrounds are far closer to the US and UK than Iraq's? What about Japan and Korea's dislike for each other, when they're basically descended from the same racial stock? Taking into consideration that "Anglos" are a mix of Celts and Saxons anyway (with more Germanic stock added to the mix later), your theory begins to leak like a sieve. In WW1 the British were very closely tied both racially and royally with Germany, and yet an alliance with France set them against the Germans. Perhaps that chip on your shoulder would be put to better use lighting a camp fire.
Canada: I would say that longtime allies are countries you cut more slack to, even when their interests and yours dont' completely converge. You also give them the benefit of the doubt. You also consider the long-term relationship, and when to make a larger point of disagreements. In the case of Britain, though, it's not merely a political calculation. We're allies because of our cultural and language ties, at least as much as because we converge politically.
But suppose the UK's 'best interests' are not served by backing the US. Should the UK back the US because it's an ally? Desn't this make the government irresponsible? If you ever get to a point where you pout your national interests behind those of an ally, I would say there is something seriously wrong with your political rulers. [/B][/QUOTE] The UK stayed well clear of Vietnam even though Australian as well as US forces were deployed there.
marquis What a load of crap. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Alliances are not made on the colour of skin, Spookz, where did i say this they're made along the lines of compatible political views and sometimes similar cultures. an ethnic group would contain these points (culture and political views) Perhaps you'd care to explain why Germany, Russia and France were adamantly against the Iraq thing when their racial backgrounds are far closer to the US and UK than Iraq's? race has nothing to do with ethnicity What about Japan and Korea's dislike for each other, when they're basically descended from the same racial stock? different ethnic groups Taking into consideration that "Anglos" are a mix of Celts and Saxons anyway (with more Germanic stock added to the mix later), your theory begins to leak like a sieve. the distinction is not relevant on an international scale. (locally it could..... marriage in royalty....) In WW1 the British were very closely tied both racially and royally with Germany, and yet an alliance with France set them against the Germans. i am being specific here. america, australia, new zealand, canada and britain have common bonds. to form alliances due to this is hardly controversial. if there are exceptions.... so what? do you think i laid down an immutable law of ethnicity here? Perhaps that chip on your shoulder would be put to better use lighting a camp fire. whats with your ass? i am pretty mellow really. i like baiting and you bite every time
