Does the US have a single dependable non-English-speaking ally?

YOU are joking, right? Are you talking generally or just vis-a-vis Iraq?

Japan. Turkey is on the short list of our most important and dependable allies.

 

French is one of the two official languages of Canada. Does that count?

 

We'll have a friend in Germany after the elections!

 

Even the pro-American Koizumi Administration does not fully believe in what Bush is trying to do against Iraq. They say to themselves, "Attack Iraq? Oh, gimme a break. There's no solid justification of fighting, so people wouldn't agree with it." In fact, the majority of the Japanese are against it. Don't expect a firm support from us.

 

He asked if we had any dependable friends in the world who do not speak English. I would saythat Japan qualifies.

 

Turkey has been on the US side in every war since it's inception in 1920. They sent thousands of troops (actual fighters not "support ships" like New Zealand does) to fight in the close range battles of Korea in the 1950s.

Giving bases against military operations against Iraq in 1990 and very probably in 2003 is cute, but I think the real value of an ally is truly determined when they are willing to pay in their own blood like they did in Korea.

 

turkey and Japan but turkey's islamic military leaders are some questionable sometimes (they got rid of elected government several times in last 3 decades or so)

 

The French often tend to raise a fuss but when the dust settles they are among our best allies. In the 1991 Gulf War they sent a division+ and in the war in Afghanistan, their committment rivals that of the UK. 25% of the aier missions being flown to support our SF troopers over there are flown by French pilots.

Turkey has also been amongst our most staunch allies. Of course the fact that we've ignored their pogroms against the Kurds does not hurt.

Much as I hate to say it, the Germans are proving themselves to be fair weather friends. So long as something directly benefits them, they are all for it. Otherwise, forget it. If a CDU/CSU/FDP government is elected, this could turn around but that does not look likely. Much of the equipment sold to Iraq which enables him to build WMD comes from Germany.

 

The French often tend to raise a fuss but when the dust settles they are among our best allies. In the 1991 Gulf War they sent a division+ and in the war in Afghanistan, their committment rivals that of the UK. 25% of the aier missions being flown to support our SF troopers over there are flown by French pilots. They have also stood tall (with the UK) to do their share in the Balkans (much better than the Germans and others) to take care of a problem in their own backyard.

Turkey has also been amongst our most staunch allies. Of course the fact that we've ignored their pogroms against the Kurds does not hurt.

Much as I hate to say it, the Germans are proving themselves to be fair weather friends. If a CDU/CSU/FDP government is elected, this could turn around but that does not look likely. The interesting thing is much of the equipment sold to Iraq which enables him to build WMD came from Germany. If/when Saddam vaporizes Tel Aviv and Haifa one day, it won't take long for the trail to lead back to German industry looking for a few extra Euros. I suppose if Bush wanted to embarrass Schroeder, he could publicize the fact of German industrial involvement. After all, Schroeder set the acidic tone so he would be getting his just rewards. I think he is waiting on the outcome of the election to see if he'll get someone new to work with. When a German company built Libya's chemical weapons plant in the early 1990s, Kohl sent in a German SF team to destroy it (successfully). I would hate to see Germany pass up another opportunity to do the right thing.

Israel is also what I consider a fair weather friend. Over the years they have sold our missile technology (which we donated to them) to China to make a quick buck. They take our freebies and turn around to use them on the Palestinians.

In the end, its good to rememer that all nations, regardless of their flowery verbage (USA included) act in their own self interest.

 

Such a nice boy, Turkey. We should have more friends like him.

Didn't he invite us to a nice dinner at a previously Greek restaurant on Cyprus?

 

I thought when we are completely in the right most people side with us. Perhaps if they perceive us shortcircuiting peaceful means of resolving conflicts in favor of my violent means for political purposes, they are less likely to support us.

Aw, XXXX 'em.

 

Perhaps not.

Only hope is that the rest of Europe (well, the important bits ) can change his mind.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2274521.stm

 

Turkey's islamic military leaders? First of all the military is the only guarantee that the Turkish people have. And if it wasnt for the military, Turkey might have or might be turned into another radical islamic state.

 

Was Cyprus Greek? I thought it was an independent country that the Turks were afraid that the Greeks would establish control over. Remember, Cyprus has a sizable Turkish minority.

 

The Republic of China on Taiwan has been a faithful ally of the United States, even after the United States derecognized it in 1979. It offered troops to Korea in 1950, but the US refused citing concerns about the Mainland Chinese, as well as Viet Nam.

It was the only country in Asia to sign a bilateral pact with the United States after World War II that also bound it to help the United States in case of attack as well as helping the ROC. This was done at the insistance of the ROC. Neither Japan, South Korea, nor the Philippines bilateral treaties included such reciprocity.

 

Is that pact still in effect and what did Taiwan do in response to the 9/11 attacks (that other countries didn't do)?

 

the greeks and italians have been very important in aresting Al-Qaeda. actually Germany has been as well. and japan, while not able to assist much militarily, has been a big ally, especially in terms of money. they and the saudi's financed the Gulf War, the US actually made a profit on it--how funny, US has become a mercenary state!

 

No, it is no longer in effect. When the United State annouced that it would switch it's China recognition from the ROC to the PRC (the announcement was in 1978, the actually change was in 1979), the US also announced that under the terms of the treaty, it was giving the required notice to quit the treaty. This was an obvious prerequisite to establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing.

 

Singapore and the USA have always had good relations.

 

Microsoft!

 

"So long as something directly benefits them, they are all for it. Otherwise, forget it"

Welcome to the real world man. You say this as if it's not the most normal thing in the world. OR are you trying to tell us that you actually believe that the US are fighting wars without gaining anything by doing so. Get real man.