Polonia Seasy mentre noi suggerisce di ritirarci dall’Europa orientale
https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2534965/poland-queasy-as-us-hints-at-pulling-back-from-eastern-europe
di dat_9600gt_user
Polonia Seasy mentre noi suggerisce di ritirarci dall’Europa orientale
https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2534965/poland-queasy-as-us-hints-at-pulling-back-from-eastern-europe
di dat_9600gt_user
9 commenti
Of course they are. Poland has spent every moment of post-revolution era getting closer to the US, as they saw western EU nations as unreliable. At this moment they have probably the best relations with the US in Central/Eastern Europe and what good does it do? None.
I have to be on Poland’s side with this. There is nothing surprising in this actually, it was planned and the replacement by for example German troops was swift and proper.
Poland needs a Finnish-style conscription system. By conscripting all healthy males, a country with a population of 38 million people can build large reserves needed in a war of attrition against Russia.
Why worry? According to Reddit the Russian army would get obliterated by the Polish army, so I take it these American troops are no longer needed.
**Poles are rattled by a US announcement that it will move personnel from a key base near the Ukrainian border. Some fear this is the start of a US withdrawal from Eastern Europe. Politicians are playing down the issue.**
The news from the US came as a shock in Poland. The US Army Europe and Africa issued a press release on Monday, stating that it intended to reposition its forces from Jasionka in the southeast of the country.
It went on to say that the move was “part of a broader strategy to optimize US military operations”. The American soldiers will be moved to other sites in the country.
A report on NBC news, however, sounded rather more alarming.
Citing American and European sources, the broadcaster reported that the Pentagon is considering withdrawing 10,000 US soldiers from Romania and Poland.
**US: guarantor of Polish security**
Since the collapse of communism and the restoration of Polish independence in 1989, Poland has seen the United States as the most important guarantor of its security.
Its membership of the NATO defence alliance is underpinned by a strong bilateral relationship with the US that has the backing of all political forces in Poland.
During his first visit to Warsaw as US Defense Secretary in early February, Pete Hegseth said that the US would not be reducing its military presence. Approximately 10,000 American soldiers are currently stationed in Poland.
**Poland on the EU and NATO’s eastern flank**
This explains why the US announcement and other rumours surrounding it are a bitter blow for Poland.
Due to its location on the European Union’s eastern border and the fact that it is a neighbour of Ukraine, there is great concern in Poland about Russia’s aggression.
Nevertheless, Poland’s government is putting a brave face on it and playing down Washington’s decision.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasised that the decision had been announced weeks previously and agreed with Poland.
He went on to say that the Americans had assured him that US soldiers would remain in Poland and that there would be no reduction in US forces, either in Poland or in Europe as a whole.
The Polish Defence Ministry also spoke of a “planned repositioning” of troops.
According to Poland, the Jasionka logistical hub has been protected by German Patriot and Norwegian NASAMS systems since January.
Poland needs to accept that 30 years of sucking up to the US as “protector” went down the drain, just like that.
Stop pursuing this fantasy. The Americans chose not to be Europe’s allies anymore.
Everything that the US does on the military side is inked to the trade conflict. They want to pressure us into accepting conditions that favor the US.
Europe has been very enthusiastic about the “big picture, high level” aspects of defense. Spending as a percent of GDP. New and exciting debt instruments to fund it. Joint statements with the UK, Turkey, etc.
There has been a lot less talk about the down to earth levels. Divisions. Air bases. Missile defense. Etc. Everyone has an opinion about how much Europe should spend and how to structure that. No one, seemingly, has any interest in answering “how many divisions are needed in Eastern Europe.”
It’s cart before the horse. A recipe for high spending for little return in defense. They should be starting by identifying “defense requirements” and working back to costs and structure.
Here’s a challenge. Europe must stand five full, NATO standard, divisions. Station them in Eastern Europe. Structure them for mobility and expatiation. IE… these divisions must be capable of relocating immediately to any part of Eastern Europe and operating there… including logistics and a supply tail back to home.
This will give Europe some actual capability to reenforce defenders, if Russia invades.
These divisions should be from any country currently capable of fielding a full division. Those not capable need to independently figure out *their contributions.* If they can field a whole division, given time… do that. In some cases, 2-3 states (eg Netherlands and Denmark) may form a combined division. In some cases, they can perform supporting roles.
Ideally there is also some solution that gets southern Europe into the game. Spain, Greece, Italy, etc. They have most of the soldiers. But… it’s unlikely they can actually field a division capable of reaching the East and operating there continuously.
As things stand now… it is completely unclear that Europe can supply *any* full strength divisions to a fight in Poland, Baltic states or whatnot.
At least Poland invested massively in defense! Wait until you hear the queasiness levels in Romania…