Iraq Reconstruction: Europe's 3% Commitment

Blog 10/23/2003
10:30 PM Laguna Beach, CA

Politics

The US has pledged $20B, Japan $5B, and the UK $0.5B for the reconstruction of Iraq. How much did France pledge? How about Germany? No, how about all the rest of Europe? If it was proportional to GDP what would Europe put in? About $7B? How about half that? $3.5B, no? How about half that? $1.75B? No, how about half again say $0.5B? No again. Try a measly 250 million dollars. To put that in perspective, that is 1/32 of what they should spend based on the GDP contributions of the US or Japan. Or just 3% the giving rate of the US.

Come on, I too, think the justification for the Iraq war stinks of smelly propaganda — but what the hell Europe? 3%??? I could see 20% or 30% to declare that you will not be supportive of the war. But 3% is just abusive to the people of Iraq.

Why did Europe do it? Simply money. The world is a giant multiplayer game and the US is so far out ahead that we see the natural reaction of the pack working together to try to reel us in.

What can the US do about it — combination of quiet leverage and public easing of our apparent lead in the great game — Europe doesn't seem hell bent to kick Japan in the shins at every opportunity...

-Erik