You've entirely misinterpreted my point, AC. I didn't say there are threats. I didn't say there aren't threats.

My point has nothing to do with whether or not the defense is needed but rather that the defense exists and other first world nations make use of it. If there are no substantial threats, as you imply, then the US using threat intel as a bargaining chip is worthless. However, since other nations value US threat intel, they must see value in it regardless of whether or not the value is real or perceived.

Without getting into the moral implications of such a threat by the US, this is the cost Germany et. al. pay when letting the US foot the defense bill. The US defense budget pays for a large portion of the defense of the first world. If they don't want to be beholden to the whims of the US, don't depend on the US for defense.

I'm an idiot and I couldn't mock this up.

It's obviously not professional/military grade but I still found it impressive. Are you the type to mock amateur artwork because it's not Monet or Rembrandt?

to my 55 year old mother in law. I hope she doesn't go in to cardiac arrest.

Hardly. Are you saying that if I walk into a police station, grab an officer, take him outside to a random car and tell him that my phone is in the trunk then that would be good enough to get him to crack it open? That essentially what I would be doing if I was using a tracking app. That tracking app evidence has the same weight as my words because for all the officer knows I could have written that app to track anything to any destination I want.

This is the way it should be. Any Joe Programmer can make an app that makes it look like stolen goods are behind that closed door. Taking evidence from theft prevention and tracking apps is the exact same as taking the victim's word for it.

Who said he didn't?

It can exist, it just cannot be put in numerical form.

There have also been 12 times more 737s built than A300s. 1423 * 12 = 17076.

1) Take naked picture of self
2) Send to SO
3) Find on internet
4) Sue
6) PROFIT!