As Europe drifts away from U.S., Poland and the Baltics are growing closer

Great Power War ^ | 9/23/18 | USA Features

[SleeperCatcher]

In May 1997, NATO and Russia signed the “Founding Act,” which stated, among other things, that “NATO and Russia do not consider each other as adversaries,” and that “in the current and foreseeable security environment,” NATO would not seek “additional permanent stationing of substantial ground combat forces” inside nations close to Russia.

Nothing was discussed about the Founding Act at the U.S.-Poland summit, but permanently deploying U.S. troops — especially a division-sized element — on Polish soil would essentially make the agreement moot. Right now, U.S. and NATO troops are regularly deployed on Polish soil, but only on a rotational basis. Clearly what President Duda seeks is a permanent U.S. presence and a very large one at that. An armored division would also require substantial air cover, offensive and defensive missile capabilities, and a wide assortment of additional logistical support. In short, it’s a big deal.

[DoughtyOne]

Most of Europe can’t recall WWII and it’s aftermath with USSR dominance on the Eastern flank.

Poland remembers.

[taildragger]

I would love to buy an ETF or Mutual Fund a basket of the 12 or 13 States that are members of TSI, and Poland is at the center of it and maybe the Lead Dog in this group. the TSI is the "New Europe the old one is frankly on it's last legs....

[dfwgator]

Piłsudski was trying for the same thing, in Polish it's called Międzymorze, or (Between the Seas), or in English, Intermarium.

[montag813]

100 years from now, when Germany has a majority-Muslim population, it is hard to imagine it having even a 2% growth rate. Eastern Europe would seem to be the future of Europe, but it will take a long time to unfold.

[dfwgator]

Be funny when the Volksdeutsche in Germany start begging Poland to take them in.

[Polyxene]

I just visited Estonia. They support the US and are very proud that they are one of the few countries to pay their 2% to support NATO.

[snarkpup]

Nationalists in Eastern Europe are now trying to do Intermarium again. It would include the countries from Estonia to Ukraine, and probably Finland. There is a dream that some Uralic-speaking regions now within Russia would eventually be included.