March 13, 2019 | Defense One

‘Cost Plus 50’: Welcome to the US Mercenary Force

All the ways Trump’s proposed allied-protection scheme would undermine our national security.
March 13, 2019 | Defense One

‘Cost Plus 50’: Welcome to the US Mercenary Force

All the ways Trump’s proposed allied-protection scheme would undermine our national security.

Excerpt

Napoleon is believed to have said “never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” If President Trump actually requires nations hosting U.S. forces to pay all of the costs plus 50 percent more for the privilege, rogue states and revisionist powers should take a long break and allow the United States to unravel its global defense posture.

[…]

Trump’s “cost plus 50” plan would cut off our nose to spite our face. It would turn U.S. troops into mercenaries, not defenders of shared interests, and weaken our ability to project power.

David Maxwell, a 30-year veteran of the United States Army and retired Special Forces colonel, is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Issues:

Military and Political Power U.S. Defense Policy and Strategy