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U.S. should send troops to quell Ukraine crisis
washingtonpost.com ^ | April 15, 2014 | James Jeffrey

Posted on 04/15/2014 10:41:46 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper

Despite much diplomatic effort, the situation in Ukraine worsens. A coordinated Russian campaign, including an invasion threat, special operations destabilization in eastern Ukraine patterned on the Crimea model, and warnings of gas cutoffs document ever more clearly Vladi­mir Putin’s aim to cripple the Ukrainian government and control much or even all of this strategically vital European country.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Editorial; Front Page News; Russia
KEYWORDS: jamesjeffrey; russia; ukraine; washingtoncompost; washingtonpost
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To: Berlin_Freeper
". The administration, after consulting with NATO, should inform Moscow that it will station limited forces in Poland, the Baltic states and Romania if Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine and does not withdraw troops. Initial contingents could be as small as companies (150 soldiers) on “training” maneuvers, but equipment for larger forces, and a permanent rotation of troops, could be quickly organized."

My initial thought was no or hell no even. However, after reading the article I can see what he's talking about. If you wanted to station a Battallion of Army infantry with supporting arms (perhaps 1000 to 1100 men) in Poland I can see that. Also have the MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) floating in the Black Sea. Yeah, those guys thinking they were going on a Med Cruise and porting in Rota Spain might be pissed but this is what they are actually there for.

The most important thing though is to have that Air Power nearby in the Black Sea (Aircraft Carrier group) and on land (Incirlik Air Base Turkey) and the willingness to use it. The problem with all of this is that Putin knows that we have a pansy in the White House who won't use it if need be.
81 posted on 04/15/2014 11:26:34 AM PDT by Old Teufel Hunden
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To: Berlin_Freeper

The US has no interest in the Ukraine. If Europe wants to pony up troops to send there, well fine. No more US troops to die for people who will not fight for themselves.

Obama is an ass for starting this. US soldiers should not have to die for it.


82 posted on 04/15/2014 11:26:57 AM PDT by dforest
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To: Always A Marine

Great post!


83 posted on 04/15/2014 11:27:15 AM PDT by BarnacleCenturion
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To: A Navy Vet
Screw NATO, they only exist because of USA dollars and support. They're worthless. I'm really thinking it's time to pull up the drawbridge and get the hell out of policing the world. I used to believe we should stay involved, but not so certain now. Let them self-destruct, but when they turn their eye to America, KILL THEM ALL QUICKLY, as in Dresdan, Hiroshimo, Nagasaki.

After all the grief these military dependents allies offered us over Afghanistan and Iraq, I'm inclined to agree. The problem is that if these countries are overrun by the Russians (or other empire builders), the successor empire may become unstoppable without the deaths of millions or tens of millions of Americans. Overall, it may be cheaper to stop the Russians at Ukraine.

84 posted on 04/15/2014 11:28:13 AM PDT by Zhang Fei (Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God will preserve it always.)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Where is Cindy Sheehan?


85 posted on 04/15/2014 11:28:21 AM PDT by AU72
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To: Berlin_Freeper
This is a wonderful example of why the State Department should never be involved in military planning except after the fact. It is also an example of why current U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East has crashed into the rocks.

Such a ground deployment in the current crisis with Russia could change perceptions on all sides.

Yes, you might say that.

Would such a deployment be provocative? Only if being serious about deterring Putin is provocative.

Breathtaking. I would gently suggest that whatever one's personal attitude is toward "deterring" Putin, the placement of ground troops into that volatile situation would be provocative regardless. However, if Field Marshal Jeffrey is serious about inserting ground troops I'd like to offer one tentative question: what is the mission? Is there an objective, the accomplishment of which will result in the troops returning home? Or are they there just to be there, maybe getting killed or wounded in order to provide an exploitable diplomatic crisis?

There are, of course, other minor military matters such as air cover and logistics that seem somehow to have escaped the notice of the diplomatic mind. What exactly are the troops supposed to do when they've run out of food, ammunition, and air cover? Surrender? Die to the last man before a single foot of Stalingrad is ceded?

I'm not sure the author has thought this through. I'm not sure he's capable.

86 posted on 04/15/2014 11:28:30 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Always A Marine
"For the political class, war is a racket."

I see you have read Smedley Butler's bio. Semper Fi...
87 posted on 04/15/2014 11:29:16 AM PDT by Old Teufel Hunden
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To: Himyar

prayers for your son. It is shameful what our troops go through. The red carpet gets rolled out for anyone else.


88 posted on 04/15/2014 11:29:51 AM PDT by KC_Lion (Build the America you want to live in at your address, and keep looking up.- Sarah Palin)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

We’ll do if; if you’ll be point man, Jimmy Jeff!


89 posted on 04/15/2014 11:30:43 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: kenmcg
This mutt Jeffrey is a big hero when it comes to sending other folks’ kids into battle. One can bet he never served in the military.

Actually, James Jeffrey served as an Army infantry officer in Germany back during the Cold War, but has been a State Department hack ever since. Military service does not immunize fools from poor judgment.

90 posted on 04/15/2014 11:31:08 AM PDT by Always A Marine
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To: Zhang Fei

Zhukof and stalin fed millions into the meat grinder because they were invaded. Having enemy troops within spitting distance of your capital reorders one’s priorities.


91 posted on 04/15/2014 11:34:34 AM PDT by Orangedog (An optimist is someone who tells you to 'cheer up' when things are going his way)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Send the BLM.


92 posted on 04/15/2014 11:37:15 AM PDT by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Wag The Dog scenario to try to save the senate? Hillary 2016? There's got to be a hidden agenda here.
93 posted on 04/15/2014 11:38:20 AM PDT by Menehune56 ("Let them hate so long as they fear" (Oderint Dum Metuant), Lucius Accius (170 BC - 86 BC))
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Michael Roop can bring his dog and his old lady tackling technique.


94 posted on 04/15/2014 11:38:22 AM PDT by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: A Navy Vet

Screw NATO, they only exist because of USA dollars and support. They’re worthless. I’m really thinking it’s time to pull up the drawbridge and get the hell out of policing the world. I used to believe we should stay involved, but not so certain now. Let them self-destruct, but when they turn their eye to America, KILL THEM ALL QUICKLY, as in Dresdan, Hiroshimo, Nagasaki.

Leave us alone or fell the full wrath of the greatest military might on this rock.

***********

I am with you on all of this. I would add only that the greatest threat to our liberty is domestic. Current US policy is sowing only chaos, poverty, bloodshed and peonage in the world right now, and solely for globalist agendas. Meanwhile, we have frittered our own liberty and prosperity for a bogus ‘security’ at home.

Free America. Take care of our OWN rights first, FINALLY, after generations of decay.


95 posted on 04/15/2014 11:39:13 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (FIGHT! FIGHT! SEVERE CONSERVATIVE AND THE WILD RIGHT!)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

No BLOOD FOR VODKA


96 posted on 04/15/2014 11:39:49 AM PDT by Drango (A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
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To: Psalm 144
James Jeffrey is a distinguished visiting fellow...

Distinguished  Fellas are EVERYWHERE!!!
 
 
 
 

97 posted on 04/15/2014 11:41:51 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: ScottinVA

Send over the queers. They’ll show em.


98 posted on 04/15/2014 11:42:02 AM PDT by Neoliberalnot (Marxism works well only with the uneducated and the unarmed.)
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To: Old Teufel Hunden
"For the political class, war is a racket." I see you have read Smedley Butler's bio. Semper Fi...

Roger that, Old Devil Dog. When I was a junior officer I thought that Gen. Butler must have wandered off the reservation in his old age. But later experiences proved to me that Smedley Butler was a wise observer and that he possessed greater moral courage than those who knew but ignored the truth about some of the wars they had fought and had once believed in.

There are some wars that truly are fought for freedom and survival. But in most cases, as MajGen Smedley D. Butler so famously stated, "War is a racket."

99 posted on 04/15/2014 11:43:05 AM PDT by Always A Marine
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To: Elsie

LMAO!


100 posted on 04/15/2014 11:43:28 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (FIGHT! FIGHT! SEVERE CONSERVATIVE AND THE WILD RIGHT!)
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