Obama orders Pentagon advisers to Ukraine to fend off Putin-backed rebels

A team of Pentagon officials is heading to Ukraine to help the country rebuild its fractured military, a mission that lawmakers and analysts expect will result in recommendations for greater military assistance in the country’s fight against pro-Russia separatists amid international outrage over the downing of a commercial airplane.

Within the next few weeks, a group of Defense Department representatives who specialize in strategy and policy will head to Kiev to evaluate specific programs that the United States may want to help bolster, said Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman.

Their objective is to work with Ukrainians to “shape and establish an enduring program for future U.S. efforts to support the Ukrainian military through subject-matter expert teams and long-term advisers,” he said.

Based on current assumptions, I would agree that Russia would have to take the first shot to start a war with NATO. But I also believe that NATO is trending toward provoking such a confrontation by meddling on Russia's borders. In the longer term, however, I foresee a much different Europe with a dictator rising from economic and demographic chaos; this seems to be in Europe's DNA and appears on track for another round.

And as for the European Union, it is heartening to see British patriots like Nigel Farage and Daniel Hannan gaining popularity with UKIP. But both men will tell you that they have absolutely no authority whatsoever as MEPs besides the privilege of debating what will happen regardless. And the kind of economic chaos that you rightly foresee in Southern Europe will be the perfect breeding ground for a dictator that Brussels will be ready to provide. Marine Le Penn's electoral victory confirms my long held belief that the first and bloodiest backlash will occur in France.

In the chaos that lies ahead, I want to see America's resources focused on America's defense and America's well being. We are risking the former and wasting the latter in every part of the world but home. I would rather preserve our nation than collapse it from continued overreach.

I have no idea what you mean by "meddling on Russia's borders." I do know that the Russians ARE MEDDLING on other countries borders and initiated provocative actions:

Obama administration officials said Thursday that Russia is firing artillery from its own territory into Ukraine to hit Ukrainian military sites, pointing to escalating Russian involvement in the deadly conflict.

"This clearly is a military escalation," Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said, adding there is no question that Russian military -- as opposed to Russia-backed separatists -- are firing the shots.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf first made the accusation during a press briefing earlier Thursday. She also claimed Moscow is boosting its military shipments to pro-Russian separatists.

"We have new evidence that the Russians intend to deliver heavier and more powerful multiple rocket launchers to separatist forces in Ukraine and have evidence that Russia is firing artillery from within Russian to attack Ukrainian military positions," Harf told reporters.

In the longer term, however, I foresee a much different Europe with a dictator rising from economic and demographic chaos; this seems to be in Europe's DNA and appears on track for another round.

I lived a total of fourteen years in Europe in five different countries. I don't share your assessment. The danger of that happening in the US is probably greater. Europe was devastated by two world wars. They have no stomach for wars or dictators.

Right now, there is no UKIP representation in the British Parliament, but come the next election cycle, that will change. UKIP is now a legitmate alternative party to rival the Tories. Labor, and Liberal-Democrats. The EU issue has resonance. Cameron has promised a referendum on the issue mainly due to the prodding of Farage and UKIP. Nick Clegg made a huge mistake debating Farage on national TV not once but twice. Farage destroyed him and gained a huge following. I watched them live. Great political theater.

And the kind of economic chaos that you rightly foresee in Southern Europe will be the perfect breeding ground for a dictator that Brussels will be ready to provide. Marine Le Penn's electoral victory confirms my long held belief that the first and bloodiest backlash will occur in France.

Exactly how will Brussels install a dictator and what resources does Brussels have to support a "dictator?" Le Penn connects with the people in much the same way that Farage does. The French see their language and culture being threatened by immigration and the failure of these immigrants to assimilate. Unlike the US, the French will preserve their patrimony.

Defense spending will go down as the welfare state competes for scarce resources. It is a given.

We are being destroyed from within. The 1965 Immigration Act changed the demographics of this country forever. In 1970 one in 21 was foreign-born; today, it is one in 8, the highest in 90 years; and within a decade it will be one in 7, the highest in our history. In 1970 there were 9.7 million foreign-born; today it is 45 million. Non-hispanic whites comprised 89% of the population in 1970; today, it is 63%; and by 2060 it will be 43%. By 2019 half of the children 18 and under will be minorities and by 2043 we will be a majority minority nation.

We bring in 1.1 million LEGAL immigrants a year, 87% of whom are minorities. Since 1990 29 million legal immigrants have entered this country. Immigrants and their US born children account for 80% of our population growth. Immigrants and minorities vote more than two to one Democrat. It is only a matter of time before the Democrats become the permanent majority party. The Dems will increase the size of government and do anything to keep the welfare state treading water including higher taxes (wealth redistribution) and reduced expenditures on defense.

The fate of our nation does not hang on overreach. We are on a course of destruction due to the welfare state and immigration. Demography is destiny.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.