I think of the REFORGER model a great deal recently as Western Govts realise that their medical supply chain’s nuts/bolts/gowns etal is really based in China (with all that has entailed) and not an alliance. We are improvising now against a Virus we have not practiced in the past
By 1990s esp, Western Govts were being run mostly by Boomers without the experience/wisdom of the WW2 generation who had seen up close how things ‘really work’ in extremis (ie war means owning national capabilities) & these Boomers were free trade zombies like this unironic idiot
The lesson of 2020 & the #Coronavirus will be that Davos Man had no answer to a world in which not everyone drank his Kool Aid. The Chinese esp have no interest in being a member of the “liberal international order” these clowns whither on about. Why would China ever play along?
Also, while not everything is #DragonBear (not even a #Coronavirus made in Wuhan) the reality for the Western security alliance is that it faces a PRC/RUS (plus Iran) entente that has no incentive to respect your "Norms" esp now you are so exposed as unprepared for such a crisis
The British Empire survived for so long, despite long wars against France & all Germanies - not least because of British grit, island strategies & Seapower (plus English plus Cricket/Football...) - but because the whole Empire was an integrated (& in extremis) war supply chain
So for all of us who form part of West's security alliance (if you are reading this is in English, this is esp you) will need to reflect on the "Virus Crisis" lessons....we have done well from a standing start but our supply should be in allied hands & responses tested & improved
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