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The US is losing their power and authority in Europe.
European countries are jumping on the bandwagon with China and Russia in spite of our strong arm tactics to dissuade them.
The US is losing their power and authority in Europe.
European countries are jumping on the bandwagon with China and Russia in spite of our strong arm tactics to dissuade them.
No offense but you dont know what the hell you're talking about. People in Poland for example are thrilled to have the U.S. soldiers there, if anything people are disappointed that there aren't more. They've offered land and former Polish and Russian bases to the U.S. to develop a permanent base in that country to serve as a deterrent against Russian aggression. Those in the Eastern European nations are crystal clear on what life was like being subjugated by Russia and have absolutely no desire to go back to that.
Considering Russian saber rattling and military exercises being done directly near the borders of several of these nations, American involvement is quite welcome. In Poland and Lithuania its pretty much the #1 topic of conversation and support for the U.S. in those nations is basically universal. I don't know that America has a more fervent and loyal ally in Europe than the Poles.
In general people in that region worry that Putin has completely lost his marbles and has Fruity Pebbles on the brain. After the lessons of WW2, they consider the U.S. to be the only real check and balance on Russian aggression and militarism, particularly with some of the far-right wing nuts such as Aleksandr Dugin gaining favor there.
Quote:
Hundreds of residents turned out in eastern Poland on Tuesday to greet a convoy of U.S. troops that is driving through eastern Europe, a region worried that the conflict in Ukraine threatens its security.
Children climbed into the Stryker armored vehicles and residents offered regional souvenirs as the crowd gathered in the main square of Bialystok under sunny skies, applauding troops from the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment for their gesture of reassurance to a NATO ally. Poland borders Ukraine and Russia, and the conflict in eastern Ukraine has caused anxiety here
Another dog and pony show. There is no reason to send a convoy of military vehicles on parade. We're not freaking Russia parading down Red Square. But imo it would look like were trying to project military might or maybe even a this is what could happen if you don't fall in line. I mean how would we take it if the Canada or Mexico said hey as a goodwill tour were gonna send a column of APCs to go around your towns. We want to show we care.
You want goodwill? Build a orphanage or school in some backwoods post communist country
The places this convoy is going to will be happy to see it. The eastern European allies where this convoy will be are very nervous about Russia being so aggressive lately and this will be seen as a sign of our ongoing commitment to the NATO treaty and willingness to defend them from Russia. Its not really the same as a force coming to your town to intimidate you into falling in line, its more intended to reassure the people in the communities it will be visiting and to remind the Russians not to violate a NATO nations borders. The tour may not accomplish much in reality, but the effect it may have in boosting the moral of our allies is worth it.
1) The US convoy is not going throughout most of Europe, or even much of it. It's going through mostly eastern European countries, moving equipment from eastern bases, though Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, the Czech Republic and into Germany. So it's going through six countries out of approximately fifty European countries.
2) This convoy is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, and includes allied forces as well, not just US forces. NATO forces train and work together during this convoy as well as other events related to this operation.
This.
It is part of an effort to send a message that the Baltic States will be defended. Unlike Ukraine, the Baltic States are part of NATO.
I have a friend who is on that convoy. They were generally met with cheers and applause the whole way. He's been documenting it on his facebook page. I don't think forum rules permit me to post the link.'
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