The New York Times reported on Sunday that President Biden is considering deploying thousands of troops, as well as warships and aircraft, to NATO countries in the Baltics and Eastern Europe amid heightened tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
Citing unnamed administration officials, the Times report said Pentagon officials presented Biden with several options to send more military assets close to Russia. The options include sending 1,000 to 5,000 troops to the region with potential plans to increase the numbers tenfold if “things deteriorate.”
Biden is expected to make a decision on the deployment as early as this week. At this point, there are no plans to send more troops to Ukraine. The US currently has an undisclosed number of special operations forces and about 100 National Guard soldiers stationed in Ukraine.
If Biden decides to send more troops to countries that border Russia it would show Russian President Vladimir Putin that the US is not taking his security concerns seriously. Putin wants guarantees that NATO won’t expand further eastward and wants limits on the deployment of US and NATO troops near Russia.
On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss Ukraine and Putin’s security proposals. Blinken said that the US will provide Russia with a written response to its security demands this week.
Any “guarantee” on promoting peace from the Washington DC foreign policy establishment (ie. warmongers incorporated) is worthless.
KK figured it out.
The US and EU NATO are desperate and will do anything to make Russia take Ukraine back.
They’re been all but begging the Russians to invade but now its time for the hard sell.
Invade, Russia, INVADE Ukraine or we will. Really, we WILL invade Ukraine for you if you don’t invade Ukraine NOW.
Wewill! Wewill wewill wewill!!!!
All the West needs to do is have Ukraine military start attacking the Rusophil’s in the East to get that ball rolling!!!!!
They probably aren’t that stupid.
Like all America’s allies, they’ve surely learned the ‘in’ strategy is fighting their enemies to the last American.
They might have settled with fighting Novorossiyans to the last Canadian, but there aren’t enough of them.
If something is reckless and stupid, the chances of US doing it jump dramatically.
It’ll be a very brief hot contact if they cross without supply lines.
Tell Biden to go back in his basement. No more Neocon wars.
I am a peace activist but I am so fed up with all of this war non-sense, I’d personally like to wrangle Biden and hog tie him to a chair in the corner of the room and only give him bread and water for a few weeks until what is left of his brain settles down…
I should also add, Russia’s concerns are entirely legitimate and they had better be taken as such…
Absolutely.
And he should be impeached for allowing it to get this far, … and the Russophobe Deep State War Party crazies should be cashiered … the Brzezinsky/Hillary epigonoi, Avril Haines, Victoria Nuland, Michelle Flournoy, Samantha Power, Susan Rice … Sullivan & Blinken, all the WestExecs and NeoCons, … denazify the entire national security apparatus. It’s a sickness.
Of course. DC has been run by psychopaths for decades. What does that say about the American people?
“psychos” … and degenerates.
Yes, but “the people” are largely “innocents,” impotent and weak of mind, with full bellies (hamburger and fried chicken), like Stefano & Trinculo, easily suckered by kewpie doll consumerism and specious (identitarian) ideological demagogy. All which is pretty bad; but, the real Evil is the 0.1% Ruling Class.
I agree with M.A. Bhadrakumar that US has not thought through the escalatory ladder. The whole globe is the playground. US geopolitical goals are rather transparent.
First, the crisis is meant to make Europe more compliant. And the objective, pursued from Clinton administration forward — is to knock Russia down, so US can at leisure pursue containing China. Both objectives well understood in Europe, Russia, China and the rest of the globe.
There are foremost European implications. Unity is crumbling. Macron is lost at sea urging European defense! Germany is internally split. Greens are supporting US policy even at the expense of German vital industrial interests. But German president does not seem ready to let go of the control of foreign policy. Germany is opposing cutting Russia off SWIFT, and has not allowed its airspace to be used for transiting weapins to Ukraine,
But in the end, with additional US pressure, Europe may fold.
One has to remember that Russia initiated the discussion on security guarantees. Russia DID NOT start the process without thinking through the ecallation steps. Nor did it count on European countries acquiring any strategic independence.
It is also utter rubish to talk of resistance in Ukraine. Under the surface, the demoralized country will crater immediatelly, Demoraluzed armed forces, destroyed industries, shady money, shady politicians. And infighting — with current President — the most despised person in Ukraine — accusding former president Poroschenko of sedition!
Under the surface, Ukraiine is seething with anger towards their own political class.
Russia does not NEED to invade. But if it provoked, will respond. And strategically, economic, trade and energy disruptions are pribably MORE damaging to Europe than Russia. Having become independent of all aspects of foreign input into their defense industry and having become leader in global grain production — Russia achieved food security.
One has to remember that Russia has no enemies anywhere other than US and its allies Canada, Australia and UK, with Europe being the sacrificial lanb.
And for that reason, US piosition in Iraq and Syria may be under pressure. The whole crisis in Ethiopia was about US supported Tigrey minority control of Ethiopia came to end after 30 years. Thungs are nit lioking good for US un Sudan, Egypt is lost, and Libya will remain in limbo but escaping US/European control,
In Asia, Chinese trade blick took effect. ASEAN is showing strategic independence.
Even cursory review of glibal standingbshows erosion.
And this is the reason Russia chose to act, and this is a reason US does not know how to act, as anything would look like lising credibility,
It is almost irrelevant what happens to Ukraine — as it will MOST CERTAINLY NOT END THERE.
Biden is racheting up the pressure against US publuc opiniom that does not support involvement in Ukraine, He cannot afford a mistake.
Well said Bianca, well said. best donna
1. Germany in particular stands to suffer if gas supplies are curtailed. Even if Russian gas were to be replaced by ‘Merikun Freedom Molecules(R), the infrastructure to do so is not in place and will take time and money to construct. Even that infrastructure is built, gas will be much more expensive, and Europe will be at the mercy of a master that has a nasty habit of dragging its vassals into its foreign adventures.
Of course, the hypocrisy of European Greens replacing a reliable supply of natural gas via existing pipelines (which are pretty much a carbon-neutral means of transport) with future LPG deliveries by supertanker (which are some of the biggest carbon emitters in existence), all because their American masters ordered them to do so, in a fight that they did not have to pick, is too rich for words.
2. Expect a new wave of refugees. While nobody in Europe will say this, what makes Europe nervous is that, while refugees are white Europeans, if Europe accepts this wave of refugees, doing so will make it that much harder to reject the wave of brown non-European refugees that will surely result from America’s future imperialist wars. (For the record – I do not want to make refugees, white or otherwise. Nor do I favor privileging white refugees over any other kind.)
The European Vassals (ex Poland and the Baltics, which are only too happy to cut off their own noses if doing so might somehow spite Russia) cannot be too jazzed about the prospect of 1. or 2., all as the results of a war that in no way benefits them.
3. Another NATO failure will surely damage its credibility like nothing else.
Great response, Bianca. Russia has made no threats and of course has no intention of taking on the burden of an already dangerous and demoralised Ukraine. Nobody wants to, and the weapons sent there are making Ukraine’s precarious position worse.NATO∕US∕UK of course do not want their own darlings in danger-now asking “diplomats” to leave Kiev!! Fantasising about “what the wicked autocrat/dictator Putin” wants and intends to do continues in the media- I just read in UK “The Telegraph” which ups the ante on the already extreme plans for invasion or worse. They cannot surely believe their own words. Poor Biden is ga ga and Blinken is going for the prize of the worst “top diplomat” ever .
I like the way your acronym works out: NATO: U-Suk!
I also liked “FM” Liz Truss and her group Poland/Ukraine/UK PUUK pronounced puke!!!!
Perfect and appropriate!
‘with potential plans to increase the numbers tenfold if “things deteriorate.”
Correction : “to make sure things deteriorate, which has been our plan all along.”
All these months without a move or threat by Russia. How dare they???
I remember reading that Russia is considering deploying troops to Cuba or Venezuela but until that happens, I have one simple question: whose army is on the wrong side of the world?
The last two World Wars were started under a Democrat. The 3rd one will be no different. In the case of Biden, he would to save his presidency. Assuming there is a country he can be President of.
Touche!
The pot’s was boiling before Biden took office. Of course, it started in ’14 so maybe you’re right. But wouldn’t it be nice to see some pushback from the other party to stop the insanity instead of them trying to outdo the democrats on who can be more hawkish?
Like 5,000 or even 10,000 US troops would even give the Russians pause if they had to do something against the Baltic states or Ukraine. Even 50,000 would merely cause the Russians to change their operational plan somewhat to account for more targets.
So now we’re supposed to believe Doctorow that Biden is going to stop the war – while Biden is weighing escalation. We’re supposed to believe that Blinken is going to deliver an “article-by-article” response to Lavrov next week – while Biden is weighting escalation.
Hey, where’s Ray McGovern? Let’s have another article on how this is all going to blow over when the US caves in.
I hope the US caves in because if they continue to act out of sheer stupidity, we could find ourselves in a very serious war that will not end well for anybody… I too would very much like to hear from Mr. McGovern…
So far, the only American expert I have read that seems to fully understand the gravity of the situation is Scott Ritter.
From speaking to family/friends and scouring social media, the collective western world is completely delusional regarding how strong NATO is and how weak Russia is.
Even after countless internet links to prove the point that NATO has no chance against Russia on Russia’s very own borders, people flatly refuse to even contemplate NATO’s upcoming slaughter.
Correct.
Russia seems to have contemplated that scenario and made operational adjustments in that event.
The new rules go into effect in a week. That tells you when Russia thinks it might start burying thousands of soldiers.
I do not want to sound repetitive but that was chilling…-donna
I agree about Scott Ritter. Having been not only a military guy and an intelligence guy, he was also involved in overseeing the Soviet Union arms control efforts back in the ’90s. So he knows nukes and he knows Russians. He knows they don’t screw around when it comes to war. They remember losing 27 million people during WWII and “that ain’t gonna happen” again.
A Russian nuclear strike on Washington and New York would kill the dollar. The ruble to dollar is now approximately 79:1.
No doubt, no doubt… But it will also kill a lot of people, don’t you think? (!)
Wars are like that. COVID “vaccines” have been reducing the global population. Hyperinflation, deflation, and the ensuing economic destruction common to both conditions accomplish the same purposes.
Imagine a group headquartered in Switzerland and offices elsewhere (WEF) with designs on merging these options to accelerate the process.
Russia might be doing the masses a favor, though most wouldn’t analyze it that way. In a geopolitical sense, consider it the medical version of triage.
“COVID ‘vaccines’ have been reducing the global population.”
Math’s not my strongest suit, but I’m pretty sure that 7.95 billion (current global population) is larger than 7.87 billion (global population circa 2020).
Using the DC “math” example perhaps…..
If that were to happen, exchange rates will be the least of our worries.
I agree, but the US military and CIA might be completely demobilized from a financial and CIC perspective.
Survivors might view Russia and China as sovereigns to invest when a global reset takes footing.
Nothing “positive” is a given in a nuclear strike’s aftermath.
NATO is pushing for a bruising with Russia in Ukraine. It’s somehow inconceivable it could escalate into Armageddon?
It looks to me, like this baby is going to go live. But the tripwire has not yet activated the the confrontation. The tripwire being any attempt to route out the Russian speaking resistance in the East of Ukraine. Until that happens there will be no invasion, no war. Just a lot of talk and enhanced deployments.
But whose game is this? I’s it the Russians trying to invade, or the West trying to flex it’s muscles in Russia”s backyard…?????
Probably Soros’ game. He’s the only oligarch who wins no matter what, but wins more if there’s a war involving NATO.
There’s a lot of flexing in the mirror but not much heavy lifting in the pipe, though.
Kiev appears dug in for massive defense, and don’t seem really weighted for offense.
I certainly hope it does not “go live” but my own radar is going thru the roof. I personally feel it is the West doing some dangerous flexing…
This senile fool is going to get us into WW3 for no f***ing reason, isn’t he?
The fact that Biden has ordered evacuations and shipping 50000 troops to
the “front” shows that we are going to war. The decision has already
been made. Every American has to ask the question “Are we going to die
for the crooks and old COW congresswomen”. Not me and I hope not your
son or daughter. FJB
Helmer has an interesting article on content analysis (based upon Rand study) of Blinky’s presser; concludes that Blinky is incapable of negotiating with Russia:
“Tested in two hot wars, and during the Cold War, the RAND method for
gauging the intention of the adversary predicts this about Blinken – he
wants war with Russia; he has no mind for any alternative.”
(and this is the US top “diplomat” (sic)-his minder, nuland, would not allow him even if he wanted to0)
http://johnhelmer.net/content-analysis-of-secretary-blinken-at-geneva-reveals-psychopatholical-incapacity-to-negotiate-with-russia/#more-47453“
Just consider his family history, which comes right from the horse’s mouth (a pro-Ukraine, pro-Jewish Web site):
Yiddish and the Ukrainian–Jewish roots of the new U.S. Secretary of State
https://ukrainianjewishencounter.org/en/yiddish-and-the-ukrainian-jewish-roots-of-the-new-u-s-secretary-of-state/
And also, his minder, nuland, changed from needleman from yiddish, her grandparents are from Ukraine.
Maybe he should send his troops to usa cities to protect the police? Nepal? Tibet? Guantanamo? Diego Garcia? Gaza? Wounded Knee?
It really is impossible to describe the level of delusion, the arrogance, the outright stupidity of this hysteria in the admin and the press and now to come in with a “plan” to insert 5,000 troops into Eastern Europe. Now, maybe even 10 times that number, wow!! Seriously???
Can these clowns even count, do they know anything about military conflicts in a time when the Russians early in 2021 literally moved thousands of troops westward, more into Crimea, with thousands of tanks, SP arty, aircraft, all in a matter of days if not hours. God gad, wash dc, for the world’s sake, for the country’s sake, wake up, back the f___ off!
This senile fool is going to get us into WW3 for no f***ing reason, isn’t he?
The Blob has taken the decision for war. They pushed Putin to the point he’d fight, and now push harder as much as they can. Our blundering “leaders” want this fight. They are about to get it too, since nobody much who matters is speaking against it. Mainstream media is captured, as is reader commentary in it.
We should be warned they’ve done this to us over and over again for twenty years now, and lost every single one of the wars of choice they started, justice I suppose for the war crime of aggression.
Re Scott Ritter, someone posted a comment under his article which mentioned something called “WestExecs”. I looked them up.
This is why we’re going to war with Russia, folks. Look at their list of clients.
WestExec Advisors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WestExec_Advisors
Meet the Consulting Firm That’s Staffing the Biden Administration
WestExec represented major corporations throughout the Trump years. Now it’s in the White House.
https://theintercept.com/2021/07/06/westexec-biden-administration/
How Biden’s Foreign-Policy Team Got Rich
Strategic consultants will define Biden’s relationship to the world.
https://prospect.org/world/how-biden-foreign-policy-team-got-rich/
Michele Flournoy is a co-founder. Here’s a quote from the WestExec site:
Michèle Flournoy quoted in POLITICO article on Ukraine assistance
“Michèle Flournoy, who served as the undersecretary of defense for policy under Obama, said that withdrawing assistance would provide serious leverage over Ukraine.
“‘They’re counting on the U.S. to continue to support them in all kinds of ways — sanctions, diplomacy, military assistance, training and advising, putting pressure on Putin,’ she said. ‘So any sign that the U.S. is pulling back from Ukraine sends a signal that can be disproportionate…’”
From Fox News:
“The invasion of Ukraine would be a very serious breach of international security and would merit a huge response, not just from the U.S., but from Europe and the international community.” – Michele Flournoy on a potential invasion of Ukraine by Russia.