Mr. Gates spoke about one current NATO operation -- the bombing campaign in Libya. He noted that all twenty-eight members voted for the mission. But less than half have taken part at all, he said, and fewer than a third have been willing to participate in the campaign. He said many allies want to take part but lack the resources.
盖茨谈到了北约当前轰炸利比亚的行动。他指出,北约所有28个成员国都投票支持这次行动,但只有不到一半国家参与行动,同时只有不到三分之一国家愿意参与空袭行动。他表示,许多盟国希望参加行动但缺乏相关资源。
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Mr. Gates said that by one estimate, European defense spending has fallen by nearly fifteen percent in the past ten years. He said this has affected what he called the first "hot" ground war in NATO history -- the war in Afghanistan.
盖茨表示,根据估计,在过去10年,欧洲防务开支降低了近15%。他说,这已经影响到被他称为北约历史上的首次“地面热战”的阿富汗地面行动。(注:所谓热战,是相对于冷战而言。)