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Russian military exercises gaze toward Poland
https://www.msn.com Jamestown Foundation ^ | 8.10.2021 | Janusz Bugajsk

Posted on 08/10/2021 7:55:24 AM PDT by RomanSoldier19

Russia is preparing its quadrennial Zapad 2021 military exercises along NATO’s eastern borders. The exercise is focused on potential armed conflicts with Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

This extensive military drill in September will also involve troops from Belarus, one of Russia’s few remaining partners. Zapad 2021 is intended to demonstrate Russia’s military readiness and to simulate a clash with a neighboring state in which Moscow prevails. But with this year's exercises being conducted in the midst of the Russo-Ukrainian war and the social turmoil in Belarus, tensions are increased. Especially notable is the impact on the historic rivalry between Poland and Russia over the states that lie between them.

Kremlin propaganda depicts Poland, the largest and militarily strongest state on NATO’s eastern flank, as promoting pro-Western coups in Ukraine and Belarus that are intended to tear these countries away from "Mother Russia." In reality, the region is not witnessing a contest between two imperial projects but a struggle between two strategic concepts. That is to say the concept of a centralized Russian dominion that subordinates neighbors and that of a voluntary, multinational confederation embodied in the trans-Atlantic alliance and the European Union.

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


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: baltics; poland; russia
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To: dfwgator
Of course, I am all for the restoration of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Its’ downfall is one of the great tragedies of European history.

Rzeczpospolita!

41 posted on 08/10/2021 11:45:43 AM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
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To: billakay

“What a bunch of garbage. Putin is fine. He has excellent popular support and continues to move Russia forward.”

Abusurd. There economy GDP is the size of Spain. He’s moving forward is as forward as Clinton and Obama moving us forward. Not.

“The idea of Russia invading Poland, or Lithuania, or anywhere else in Prebaltika is absolutely absurd.”

They invaded Georgia, Crimea and Eastern Ukraine...and let’s not forget Afghanistan. You may also recall a Russian incursion into the Baltics and taking their communications networks by force.


42 posted on 08/10/2021 11:48:40 AM PDT by rbmillerjr
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To: pierrem15

Russia wasn’t trying to deny access to the Baltic.

And our German plant was complaining about the traffic snarls! Well, my counterpoint said it was “Cool” but that it was delaying shipments.


43 posted on 08/10/2021 11:51:10 AM PDT by redgolum (If this is civilization, I will be the barbarian. )
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To: redgolum

The Baltic would think be some hotly contested airspace in any shooting war. I don’t think we’ve ever had any idea of moving troops via ship through the Baltic except for training exercises.


44 posted on 08/10/2021 12:06:25 PM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
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To: pierrem15

Would the EU allow us to transfer through land to support Lithuania? Poland?

That is the issue with NATO. Does Germany want to die for Poland?


45 posted on 08/10/2021 12:31:21 PM PDT by redgolum (If this is civilization, I will be the barbarian. )
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To: redgolum

Poland is a full member of NATO, so Germany is obligated to defend Poland.


46 posted on 08/10/2021 12:46:26 PM PDT by rbmillerjr
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To: rbmillerjr
Abusurd. There economy GDP is the size of Spain.

This is fair, but doesn't effectively capture cost of living concerns. The GDP in dollar terms is low because much production is for internal consumption and valued in RUB. As exports grow, this will correct. Quality of life in Russia can be quite good if you don't have a millennial defeatist mindset. I know this for a fact.

They invaded Georgia, Crimea and Eastern Ukraine...

I addressed this in a previous post. Georgia was 100% justified in response to a Georgian attack. Crimea was a geopolitical necessity because the US pushed the Maidan government to try to pull the Sevastopol lease. Crimea did indeed vote 90+% to join Russia. If you don't believe me, go there yourself and ask everyone you see their opinion. I've done it.

and let’s not forget Afghanistan.

If you are not aware of it, you should read about the history of this, and how its been openly admitted that Brzezinski intentionally created a scenario where the USSR would feel it didn't have a choice but to go into Afghanistan. The US wanted this to happen, and intentionally made it so.

47 posted on 08/10/2021 1:26:44 PM PDT by billakay
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To: BobL

No. Hungary and Poland suffered under the Nazis and then Russia for a long time. They won’t put up with this again.


48 posted on 08/10/2021 1:48:16 PM PDT by Jimmy Valentine (DemocRATS - when they speak, they lie; when they are silent, they are stealing the American Dream)
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To: Jimmy Valentine

“No. Hungary and Poland suffered under the Nazis and then Russia for a long time. They won’t put up with this again.”

I think pretty much every country is going to have to align with others, given the way the world is going...be interesting to watch what they do.


49 posted on 08/10/2021 1:56:16 PM PDT by BobL (I shop at Walmart and eat at McDonald's, I just don't tell anyone, like most here.)
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To: redgolum

Since Lithuania is an EU member, the EU could hardly refuse. As for the Germans, they’d probably wring their hands and complain bitterly but allow it. The Moscow paid for SPD would probably prefer a “negotiated” settlement with Poland and the Baltics making all the concessions, but the mainstream are close to fed up with Putin’s and Lukashenko’s antics already. The Bundeswehr would be hard pressed to contribute anything besides a token force.


50 posted on 08/10/2021 2:17:36 PM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
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To: billakay

“If you are not aware of it, you should read about the history of this, and how its been openly admitted that Brzezinski intentionally created a scenario where the USSR would feel it didn’t have a choice but to go into Afghanistan.”

Openly admitted by who?

Soviet propagandists and apologists for Russian genocide against the Afghans?


51 posted on 08/10/2021 2:33:50 PM PDT by skepsel
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To: billakay

Given that Russia has invaded and annexed parts of her neighbors it seems some threats are definitely in order.


52 posted on 08/10/2021 2:57:36 PM PDT by MercyFlush ( According to the New York Times "Freedom" is an anti-government slogan. )
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To: rbmillerjr

The 9/11 terrorists were mostly Saudis, and no matter where they came from, if we had not allowed them to be here, they could not have accomplished their mission. No force in Afghanistan launched a missile or flew a bomber over to NY.


53 posted on 08/10/2021 5:45:31 PM PDT by Pining_4_TX (You know you're old when all your dates are with doctors. )
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To: skepsel

Find Brzezinski’s comment. He really said it. He also hinted that bin Laden is a good guy, and 9/11 is an egg broken to make an omelet. I have no idea what genocide you are talking about. Soviet forces did not target civilian population in Afghanistan, ‘toy bombs’, ‘chemical weapons’ are long debunked as NYT propagamda.


54 posted on 08/10/2021 7:27:17 PM PDT by NorseViking
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To: pierrem15

What ‘Lukashenko antics’? I see Poland and Lithuania actively meddling in Belarusian affairs for a couple years already. I don’t see Lukashenko doing something in these countries.


55 posted on 08/10/2021 7:35:33 PM PDT by NorseViking
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To: BobL

Agreed. But who will align with us?


56 posted on 08/11/2021 12:45:39 AM PDT by Jimmy Valentine (DemocRATS - when they speak, they lie; when they are silent, they are stealing the American Dream)
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To: Pining_4_TX

“The 9/11 terrorists were mostly Saudis,... No force in Afghanistan launched a missile or flew a bomber over to NY.”

One of the single most idiot comments I’ve ever read on FR.

The Saudis hated Al Qeada more than anybody because they wanted to overthrow the Saudis. And yes a force in Afghanistan of Al Qeada, was allowed safe harbor and training by the Taliban, to fly commercial jets into buildings.

I’m amazed by the Putinista Bridages on FR. All of Russian foreign interventions are fine. The former East Bloc countries of Poland and Hungary are the most pro West and anti Russian states in the world. The Russian yoke is off of them.


57 posted on 08/11/2021 1:17:09 AM PDT by rbmillerjr
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To: billakay

“I addressed this in a previous post. Georgia was 100% justified in response to a Georgian attack. Crimea was a geopolitical necessity because...”

You addressed nothing. You spewed pro Putin KGB sputum. It’s the same thing it was from the Soviet days, being a useful idiot. Former Russian slave states will never go back, they despise Russians.


58 posted on 08/11/2021 1:21:22 AM PDT by rbmillerjr
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To: NorseViking
There's a substantial Polish minority in Belarus. Lukashenko has been trying to shutdown Polish language schools and arrested most of the leadership of the Polish community organization after the protests started. Plus the air piracy to grab the Belarussian blogger and now shipping Middle Eastern migrants to Lithuania.

It's one thing to oppose politically motivated hyping of the Russia "threat." But the reflexive defense of tin pot dictators and murderers like Lukashenko and Putin I see on FR is nauseating.

59 posted on 08/11/2021 5:25:37 AM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
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To: redgolum
That is the issue with NATO. Does Germany want to die for Poland?

"Mourir pour Danzig ?"

60 posted on 08/11/2021 5:28:22 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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