As the Republican Party’s blockade of aid to Ukraine drags into its fourth month, the U.S. government under Pres. Joe Biden has found a clever new way to give Ukraine’s forces the weapons and ammunition they need to defend their country.

It is, in essence, an American version of Germany’s circular weapons trade—the so-called Ringtausch. The United States is gifting older surplus weapons to Greece with the understanding that Greece donates to Ukraine some of its own surplus weapons.

Greek media broke the news last week. According to the newspaper Kathimerini and other media, the Biden administration offered the Greek government three 87-foot Protector-class patrol boats, two Lockheed Martin C-130H airlifters, 10 Allison T56 turboprop engines for Lockheed P-3 patrol planes plus 60 M-2 Bradley fighting vehicles and a consignment of transport trucks.

All this hardware is U.S. military surplus—and is available to Greece, free of charge, under a U.S. legal authority called “excess defense articles.” Federal law allows an American president to declare military systems surplus to need, assign them a value—potentially zero dollars—and give them away on the condition that the recipient transport them.

  • Sami_Uso@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    Dems will lead themselves there, just like they did in 2016. Stop blaming voters for your party’s incompetence.

    • TrickDacy@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      I’m blaming morons spreading discontent and shitty ass ideas and that’s fully fair. Thanks for changing the subject though

      • Sami_Uso@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        Why are you so worried about “spreading discontent” in a small community message board? Don’t get me wrong, you should be about this election, but don’t you think it’s a little late now?

          • Sami_Uso@lemmy.world
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            9 months ago

            They’ve had 4 years. What is the Dems message at this point besides “not trump”? What do they stand for in this election? I get their emails the same as you everyday, they say nothing except “beat Trump”. We’re way past “addressing discontent” at this point.

            People are frustrated, people are upset and the only thing the Dems have in 4 years is “at least we’re not that guy”. Is that really going to work again? I think the discontent is absolutely warranted at this point, my dude.

              • Sami_Uso@lemmy.world
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                9 months ago

                What an absolute child you are. Learn how to have a conversation instead of trying to feel better than everyone.

                  • Sami_Uso@lemmy.world
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                    9 months ago

                    Criticism of the democratic party is equivalent to striving to install fascism??

                    Listen to yourself! I fucking voted for Biden in 2020, I want them to be better. That isn’t trying to “sow discontent” it’s not striving to install fascism, it’s criticism. Jfc you guys are soft.