President Trump’s plan to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany has received enormous backlash from Congress and the media. The common criticism is that the move is a “gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But that argument ignores the fact that about half of the troops that are leaving Germany are moving closer to Russia’s border.
In an interview with Fox News, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said the troop movement will “deter” Russia. “We are moving many troops further east, closer to Russia’s border, to deter them,” Esper said. The Pentagon chief took the line of argument President Trump is making and said Germany is not paying its “fair share.”
Esper also pointed out that despite the drawdown from 36,000 to 24,000 troops, Germany will still host more US military personnel than any other NATO ally. “It is collective security, it is about our collective responsibility to stand up to the Russians.”
About 6,400 US troops leaving Germany are expected to return to the US, while the other 5,600 will spread out among NATO countries, like Poland and the Baltic States.
Shortly after the Pentagon announced the withdrawal from Germany, the US and Poland agreed to a defense pact that will establish a permanent US military presence in the country. About 1,000 troops are set to move from Germany to Poland, raising the total number of US troops in the country to 5,000.
U.S. can put 20,000 troops closer if they want. Russia no longer fights ground wars the old fashion way.
Why would Russia want Trump to be re-elected? Trump is a back stabbing S.O.B.
If Russia wants Trump to be elected it would be to accelerate the decline of the “American Empire”. Putin is pretty smart. I think he knows the kinds of problems Trump is creating for the US.
Clueless. Before Trump, Obana-Biden-Clinton were already continuing the Bushies’ endless wars “over there”. They were also provoking a racisl divide. We see now Obama’s “fundamental transformation” of América take place.With his fellow “transformer” Brownshirts creating havoc on the country’s economy with fake cover of color, financing both riots, prosecutors giving put free passes for rioting and looting, and terrorizing the clueless with a germ.
Wait till God sends a real germ with the force of their fake cover story. IT will get into the mansiones of these hustler and tienes. God is not mocked.
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper ( who comes from the weapon corporation ) also made a big gaffe by stating in a speech that sharing the alliance’s financial burden would help “avoid peace in Europe.”
Chaos, conflicts, wars, is exactly what the weapon corporations strifes for, peace = no profits.
I liked how it was described as a “momentary lapse of honesty”.
Priceless.
I’m surprised Esper didnt say why does Russia keeping moving its borders closer to NATO
The belligerence continues. I guess Trump must be hedging against another “Russia-gate”.
I think Crimea is the prize, so these troops will probably be stationed in Ukraine.
Poland is were some are going its been announced. Poland will build a trumpster tower and golf course. Then Amerikan GIs will mow the lawns and clear tables and clean rooms. All profits will go to the trumpster crime family. If biden is elected he’ll ask for 10% cut in the profits;-)
Our goal is to free Crimea from the Russians who coerced the population into signing that referendum under the threat of tanks crushing their neighborhoods. Also, we must have that Naval base built in Crimea so we can keep several countries at bay.
The US is building a naval base in Ochakov, Ukraine.
Crimea had their chance and will regret siding with the commies.
I think this aggressive US military buildup in both in Europe and Asia is more of a provocation against Russia and China economic goals. Both countries are decoupling from the US$ and have been buying up gold, silver and other currencies for their reserves. The US$ is tanking against the Euro, gold and silver are heading to higher levels and no one wants to buy America’s unsustainable debt. I’m reminded of Muammar Gaddafi and his threat to challenge American financial interest in Africa by issuing his gold dinar. That didn’t end well for Mr Gaddafi. But Russia and China are not Libya.
Again Russian fighter jets where scrambled today to force 2 US spy planes who where approaching the Russian border in the black sea.
This has taken place almost every day the last 2 weeks.
The US clearly wants to create a conflict so it can justify an expansion against Russian aggression.
Russia no longer in a position to fear land invasion. And US forces will have increasingly character of special ops, intelligence, and interference in affairs of East European governments. The standard, well established influence building via media, academia, NGO, political movements, and recruitment of talent.
The Trump novelty is Steve Bannon’s organizing and support of nationalist movements in Europe to confuse electorate and undermine genuine sovereign movements. This variety has been tried in Belarus.
US has been caught off guard with Russian constitution amendments — their unapologetic traditionalist character. The changes that return religion to the Constitution, give supremacy to national jurisprudence over international, define marriage, and on the highest level support elderly in dignity by guaranteeing income — all created an ideological competition to Western liberal values. As a result, undermining governments from the left that argue no borders, internationalization of national decision making and LGBT rights — has lost its potency around the world.
Amazingly, most comments on the Russian constitution centered on Putin’s term. A serious misjudgment. The open ended mandate was legally needed to take power away from outside pressures on political process. The creation of State Council is the return to tradition, a means of insuring continuity and the wisdom of generations —a counter-balance to the short-term, interest based politics of parliamentary body.
The composition of State Council, as well as the relationship between the President, the Council and parliament elected Prime Minister — are clear in principle, but details remain to be ironed out. What will happen is — President can choose not to run, and become a member of State Council. Elections will be announced. This will avoid lame duck presidency, and years of electioneering.
There are many changes that are yet be be assessed.
We are at present trying to catch up with the events, reacting to traditionalism that resonates better in the world from the liberal agenda.
Deterring Russia by soldiers in Poland and Baltic will have little effect. New weaponry is making fighting in trenches obsolete. While our soldiers are getting close to Russian borders — hundreds of Russian rescue teams are in the rubble of Beirut port. Thousands in localities across Syria helping rebuild local governance destroyed by militants.
Clearly not rushing to Polish border.
Instead of moving troops around Europe, why not bring them home? We have no business being over there anyway.
No we should move half of them to Helsinki to prepare for the invasion of St.Petersburg and the other half into Minsk and easily take over both cities Those two points will be a great staging area. Once that is achieved we can send both armies into Moscow simultaneously. One moves from the Northwestern position and the other from the Southeastern point to confuse and befuddled the Russians who are woefully unprepared and disorganized. The Kremlin leaders will be allowed to flee to Siberia where we will not follow. We only want the West Central region to turn over to the Ukraine and to free Crimea from the ruthless Russian takeover.
I can never tell if your posts are sarcasm or if you really believe the crazy stuff you write.
If the troops were at home it wouldn’t bring in enough money for the military-industrial complex.
WIKI:-“Esper’s departure from Raytheon included a deferred compensation
package after 2022, based partly on Raytheon’s stock price.”
Esper should show more gratitude to Putin and his Russian hoards. If
they surrender tomorrow Raytheon’s stock price will crash costing Esper
money. No wonder the idea of peace in Europe scares him.
The least he could do is send Mr. Putin a Christmas card to show
Raytheon’s appreciation for Putin and his hoards being really scary.
As usual, the US is trying to stir up trouble with Russia. I guess without an enemy they can’t justify a trillion dollars a year for “defense” while millions of Americans eat from food banks and go without healthcare (or jobs).