Posted on 08/15/2008 6:40:42 AM PDT by docbnj
True, but doctrine doesn’t compel the response. the 9/11/01 attacks were considered to meet that criterion, but europe (aside from the UK) did not actually do a lot in terms of combat forces. I know some countries did provide logistical and other assistance.
If I were poland, I would view the US mutual support treaty as an item of great value. It pretty much says what happened to them in 1939 (british and french ‘support’ notwithstanding) up until the fall of the eastern bloc governments is unlikely to happen again for decades at a minimum, and they don’t have to depend on Germany, or France, or the UK, all of whom they have reasons to distrust in that context.
Poland may also have reasons to be concerned about the eventual political direction of the EU vis a vis Russia and wish to have a separate guarantee in hand.
I sympathize with Polish interest in doing everything possible to make certain a return to stalinist government/soviet (or german, for that matter) satellite status is impossible. Their current government and presumably their leaders grew up in such a system, and said people’s parents might have had first-hand memories of the partition of poland between stalin and hitler, and the subsequent conquests by each in turn. This has to have a tremendous impact on national conscience and directly on the childhood of many of the people in power there.
Off-topic but a poster who appeared to have local knowledge mentioned that Poland was ‘like the 51st state. People in the states have no idea.’ I found this comment interesting, and given that Poland is doing everything it can to align with the US individually, it seems to be true, figuratively.
If it helps anyone, they did this on or about Jan 19th too:
Russia’s military chief of staff has said Moscow is ready to use force, including pre-emptively and with nuclear weapons, to defend itself.
Russia’s military chief of staff General Yuri Baluyevsky threatened the use of nuclear weapons in case of a major threat. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7198181.stm
Poland would rather risk being nuked by Russia than live under her rule ever again. God bless them.
Russia either believes or convices herself the missiles make her nukes worthless. Dangerous proposition there, and I’m not sure what even our own leaders think half the time, but this much is obvious.
Yeah I don’t know why the Russians just didn’t wait to see if Osama Obama wins the election? They should have waited, because they would have Georgia all to themselves and be moving on to their next target with BHO as President.
Why don’t you go back to the DU hippie?
The people of the United States with “skin in the game” have proposed military action in all wars for over 200 years.
Please go away. I’ve lost IQ points having read your post.
If you’re in the states; Why don’t you pick up and leave for Europe and lead the rest of the tambourine liberals out with you.
Maybe it had more to do with other things- like the Plympics or Israel (election coming up in Sept) or who knows what. Most of the world acts like Obama is going to be the nexst Prez anyway.
“These guys are virtually guaranteeing a President McCain”
I hope so. I never thought I’d hear myself say that 6 months ago.
There’s also a heck of a lot of Polish-Americans (I am one)- though I hate hyphens... Chicago, “home” to Obama has a few too...
We were never out of the cold war........ Stay safe !
Whatever Russia might think, we have a defensible reason for basing defensive missiles in Poland.
If Russia doesn't like it, they could withdraw from Georgia.
Then, we might talk...
It's a game. And what they might think is important only insofar as it furthers our national security objectives.
So you are calling for a war with Russia?
Go back to DU? I’ve been here long before you, so why don’t you go somewhere else?
Do you have skin in the game? If not, why don’t you pick up your rifle and lead the way, you old bastard.
My understanding is that the Poland-based missile defense is intended to defend against missiles fired from places like Iran, not Russia.
My problem is this. It’s easy to be brave from a distance. It’s even easier for internet commandos who have 0% change of ever having to actual execute the war that they call for. Where I’m from that’s called “chicken shit”. Thank god there are people in charge who understand that the benefit should exceed the cost.
Good for you, Sir! The phrase chicken hawk has always annoyed me because of the leftists who spout the phrase. But, I must say, this phrase really fits some of the chickenshits who want to carpet bomb, nuke, and otherwise engage in a war with Russia at this stage. Like I’ve told them, “Lead the Way”.
I’m still waiting for a sane active or reservist military FReeper who wants to carpet bomb, nuke, or otherwise engage Russia over what has occured.
Let me be the first to thank you for your service to our great nation. Thank you for the sacrifices you made so I can enjoy my freedoms......Colin
While were at it we should stop buying Chinese crap and buy it from friendlier countries.
Poland had a fairly large army during the cold war, anyone know how they are now.
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