NZ has successfully defended itself against the combined forces of Japan, North Korea, China, Indonesia, USA and Australia and only had to spend 1% of GDP to do it. Oh, we also held off Fiji, though we had to send a frigate up there during one of their coups to ensure they didn't attack. <
Chinese military expenditures as a percentage of GDP = 4%. (Same as US.) >
I'd say NZ has achieved a LOT more with limited military funds - 1% of NZ's GDP is not a lot, as you can imagine. The USA has spent a LOT more than NZ's total and is still in trouble all over the place, with Islamic Jihad planning large attacks even while Homeland Security is running orange alerts and Granny isn't allowed her nail clippers [though might now be allowed toothpaste] on flights to visit her grandchildren.
I have made a recommendation that we annex Hawaii and my strategy won't even require an actual invasion using our frigates. There are already commercial flights there, and lots of hotel accommodation, so takeover will be simple. My plan is that disaffected Americans move there, then simply vote to secede [like Taiwan has done] and join NZ as the Northern North Island.
Hey Presto, NZ would have a warm climate year round. Americans wouldn't have to put up with King George II as their boss. There would be many marvellous synchronicities. The Hawaiian natives and Maoris are very close culturally, so they belong together really. Similarly, Euro Americans and Pakeha arrived in the Pacific Ocean from travelling west [American] and and east [New Zealanders] in opposite directions around the world, but are culturally comparable.
Mqurice |
