They used to run a scheme that put their ammunition sizes just above those used by NATO so that in the event of a war in Europe, advancing Soviet forces could use our ammunition at a pinch - we couldn't use theirs.

I get the bizarre notion of an arms race in which each side would gomin for increasing the calibre of their ammunition for that reason. Getting chubbier and chubbier,

The most trenchant critics of the failings and failures of Americans are themseves Americans. And they are the ones I admire as true patriots and allies.