Stop Making Stupid Arguments

Spending and activities are both vital components of measuring allied contributions to an alliance.

NATO in 2014 agreed to the current spending goal that Germany especially is resisting. Germany's argument that their activities are a substitute for spending rather than complementary duties (spending enables more and better activities) of a good alliance member is just ridiculous.

Or are we to be happy that Germany might contribute more inadequate military power to NATO activities?

Just meet the spending benchmark without trying to undermine it with end notes that "refine" spending down in practice.