Britain is down to five operational frigates.

I'd say that the UK is regaining its status as "The Sick Old Man of Europe"...but it is going to be a very competitive race between the Western European countries.

On the other hand, do we want Islamic countries with big militaries?

Quote:

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HMS Iron Duke has been withdrawn from active service, leaving the Royal Navy with just five operational Type 23 frigates, NavyLookout has revealed.

The naval analysis website broke the story today in a detailed piece well worth reading in full, reporting that Iron Duke has been stripped of her weapons and sensors and has not been to sea since October 2024, with no formal decommissioning announcement made despite her effective removal from the fleet.

The withdrawal comes less than three years after a 103 million refit that by any measure was extraordinary in its scope. The work took 49 months and more than 1.7 million man-hours, and was described as the most complex ever carried out on a Type 23.

Iron Duke had been laid up in Portsmouth since 2017 and arrived at Devonport in such poor condition that the structural work on her hull was almost twice what had been needed on any previous ship in the class.

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Quote:

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As it stands, the Arabs are a better partnership for long term economic growth and stability than old Europe.

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What do they offer other than oil?

I'm not trying to snark. What else would they be trading in?

At this point a stabilization against radical Islam. It's been quite clear for years they want Iran and it's proxies gone and are highly invested in building the most advanced and beautiful cities in the world. Let's help them.

DrEvazanPhD said:

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From the empire on which the sun never set....to a caliphate in 60 years

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The New Ottoman Empire, which was the Sick Man of Europe ca. 1900!

Admiral Nelson is rolling over in his grave right now!

Urban Ag said:

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Care less and less about NATO. Our future is in the Pacific and Latin America (trade wise). Russia is a joke with nukes.

I'd rather we focus on smaller alliances in Europe that actually seem to care about their defense and partnering with US. Poland is the best example I can throw out.

As it stands, the Arabs are a better partnership for long term economic growth and stability than old Europe.

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Who would've thought we'd see the day that ME Muslims are better partners than the Christians of Europe?

I mean, at least on paper, we're in Torbush wow territory.

Urban Ag said:

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Care less and less about NATO. Our future is in the Pacific and Latin America (trade wise). Russia is a joke with nukes.

I'd rather we focus on smaller alliances in Europe that actually seem to care about their defense and partnering with US. Poland is the best example I can throw out.

As it stands, the Arabs are a better partnership for long term economic growth and stability than old Europe.

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I'd eastern Europe to that mix.

I think it's clear to anyone paying attention that many, if not most, of the Arab states came to the conclusion in the last two decades that radical Islam/terrorism is really bad for business.

They've figured out that they can bridge that oil wealth in to many other sectors of the world economy. Finance, tech, leisure, and so on. You don't have the kind of capital investment that has built the skylines in Riyad, Doha, Dubia, etc, with the intent of letting 3rd century cretins tear it down.

IMO.

Urban Ag said:

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At this point a stabilization against radical Islam. It's been quite clear for years they want Iran and it's proxies gone and are highly invested in building the most advanced and beautiful cities in the world. Let's help them.

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For the Lefties on the board: Advanced and beautiful cities understand law enforcement and why it is there.

France and Britain suffered their biggest defeat in the 20th century over their "failed" takeover of the Suez Canal in 1956.

Nasser laid claim to it and the Brits, French and their Israeli friends successfully retook it.

Sounds normal until Ike the POTUS does a "not so fast my friends" and tells the Brits and French they did not win and Egypt gets the canal.

It's an oft overlooked turning point in the demise of global influence by the Brits and French.

It should not go unnoticed that the Euros only gave up empire when they became flaccid.

Squadron7 said:

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It should not go unnoticed that the Euros only gave up empire when they became flaccid.

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No, they gave it up when they ran out of money and needed the US to save their arses in two world wars.

flown-the-coop said:

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Squadron7 said:

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It should not go unnoticed that the Euros only gave up empire when they became flaccid.

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No, they gave it up when they ran out of money and needed the US to save their arses in two world wars.

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What's with all the British people on Texags?

I am bilingual oft switch between English and American. I will do my best to be better organised with this whilst maintaining proper posting styles.

Urban Ag said:

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I think it's clear to anyone paying attention that many, if not most, of the Arab states came to the conclusion in the last two decades that radical Islam/terrorism is really bad for business.

They've figured out that they can bridge that oil wealth in to many other sectors of the world economy. Finance, tech, leisure, and so on. You don't have the kind of capital investment that has built the skylines in Riyad, Doha, Dubia, etc, with the intent of letting 3rd century cretins tear it down.

IMO.

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Yep.

They're showing that they can still keep their Muslim faith, just not be radical, and that'll help them and their money bring great futures, and fortunes, for them and theirs. Plus, it opens up a great partnership that'll also benefit Americans as well.

Europe is heading into becoming Middle East 2.0. A bunch of 3rd world caliphates but with nukes so really no long term reason to support them or NATO.

As was stated, our goal should be Fortress North America, the Western Hemisphere and the Pacific. Particularly the 1st and 2nd Island chains as China is our No.1 threat now, Russia is as done as the rest of Europe

No Spin Ag said:

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Urban Ag said:

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Care less and less about NATO. Our future is in the Pacific and Latin America (trade wise). Russia is a joke with nukes.

I'd rather we focus on smaller alliances in Europe that actually seem to care about their defense and partnering with US. Poland is the best example I can throw out.

As it stands, the Arabs are a better partnership for long term economic growth and stability than old Europe.

---

Who would've thought we'd see the day that ME Muslims are better partners than the Christians of Europe?

I mean, at least on paper, we're in Torbush wow territory.

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There really aren't many actual Christians left in Western Europe. It's nothing more than an empty title to many of them.

Squadron7 said:

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Quote:

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As it stands, the Arabs are a better partnership for long term economic growth and stability than old Europe.

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What do they offer other than oil?

I'm not trying to snark. What else would they be trading in?

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Oil makes the world go round. Not dollars, not bullets or aircraft carriers/bombers. Insert billy bob thornton Landman monologue here.

nortex97 said:

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Squadron7 said:

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Quote:

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As it stands, the Arabs are a better partnership for long term economic growth and stability than old Europe.

---

What do they offer other than oil?

I'm not trying to snark. What else would they be trading in?

---

Oil makes the world go round. Not dollars, not bullets or aircraft carriers/bombers. Insert billy bob thornton Landman monologue here.

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Why are people always dismissing their horses and falconry? Plus camel races are fun times. (though if "camel raises" means watching Americans sit on one whilst it stands up, those can be fun as well).

flown-the-coop said:

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nortex97 said:

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Squadron7 said:

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Quote:

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As it stands, the Arabs are a better partnership for long term economic growth and stability than old Europe.

---

What do they offer other than oil?

I'm not trying to snark. What else would they be trading in?

---

Oil makes the world go round. Not dollars, not bullets or aircraft carriers/bombers. Insert billy bob thornton Landman monologue here.

---

Why are people always dismissing their horses and falconry? Plus camel raises are fun times.

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Nissan Patrols or GTFO!?

Posted The Daily Telegraph article in the ongoing NATO thread:

https://texags.com/forums/16/topics/3595891/235

There is a free link to the Daily Telegraph article:

flown-the-coop said:

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nortex97 said:

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Squadron7 said:

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Quote:

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As it stands, the Arabs are a better partnership for long term economic growth and stability than old Europe.

---

What do they offer other than oil?

I'm not trying to snark. What else would they be trading in?

---

Oil makes the world go round. Not dollars, not bullets or aircraft carriers/bombers. Insert billy bob thornton Landman monologue here.

---

Why are people always dismissing their horses and falconry? Plus camel races are fun times. (though if "camel raises" means watching Americans sit on one whilst it stands up, those can be fun as well).

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Now THAT (Americans camel racing) should be on The Ocho.

DrEvazanPhD said:

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From the empire on which the sun never set....to a caliphate in 60 years

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But at least they have great teeth, right?

RIGHT?!

NATO is an absolute joke. We look like total morans propping up these countries that fail to keep their end of the bargin.

No Spin Ag said:

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Urban Ag said:

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I think it's clear to anyone paying attention that many, if not most, of the Arab states came to the conclusion in the last two decades that radical Islam/terrorism is really bad for business.

They've figured out that they can bridge that oil wealth in to many other sectors of the world economy. Finance, tech, leisure, and so on. You don't have the kind of capital investment that has built the skylines in Riyad, Doha, Dubia, etc, with the intent of letting 3rd century cretins tear it down.

IMO.

---

Yep.

They're showing that they can still keep their Muslim faith, just not be radical, and that'll help them and their money bring great futures, and fortunes, for them and theirs. Plus, it opens up a great partnership that'll also benefit Americans as well.

---

Iran in the 70s was the same

What would this guy say?

Ellis Wyatt said:

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DrEvazanPhD said:

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From the empire on which the sun never set....to a caliphate in 60 years

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But at least they have great teeth, right?

RIGHT?!

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flown-the-coop said:

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Squadron7 said:

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It should not go unnoticed that the Euros only gave up empire when they became flaccid.

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No, they gave it up when they ran out of money and needed the US to save their arses in two world wars.

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Yes No, they gave it up when they ran out of money and needed the US to save their arses in two world wars.

FIFY.

Squadron7 said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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Squadron7 said:

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It should not go unnoticed that the Euros only gave up empire when they became flaccid.

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No, they gave it up when they ran out of money and needed the US to save their arses in two world wars.

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Yes No, they gave it up when they ran out of money and needed the US to save their arses in two world wars.

FIFY.

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I'm good with the edit.

So is Churchill!!

rausr said:

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What would this guy say?

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Actually, that is the fictional character Horatio Hornblower. Good movie. Great series of books.

I suggest we swap that out for the actual Iron Duke for which the ship that can't go anywhere or fight anything is named.