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Commander of US Army in Europe Sees Russia Mobilizing for War
Wall Street Journal ^ | February 09, 2015 | Sohrab Ahmari

Posted on 02/15/2015 6:22:35 PM PST by presidio9

'I believe the Russians are mobilizing right now for a war that they think is going to happen in five or six years —not that they're going to start a war in five or six years, but I think they are anticipating that things are going to happen, and that they will be in a war of some sort, of some scale, with somebody within the next five or six years."

So says Lt. Gen. Frederick "Ben" Hodges, commander of U.S. Army Europe....

"Strong Europe!" reads a sign on one of the walls. Next to it is the U.S. Army Europe insignia, a burning sword set against a blue shield. The two signs represent the strategic framework the three-star general has introduced—building on America's decades-long role on the Continent—since taking command last year of the 30,000 or so U.S. soldiers stationed in Europe.

The U.S. military presence in Europe is more vital at this moment than it has been in many years. American engagement is essential if the West is to deter a revanchist Russia that has set out to "redraw the boundaries of Europe," Gen. Hodges says with a native Floridian's drawl....

The Russians have "got some forces in Transnistria," he says of the state that broke away from Moldova in the 1990s. "They've got forces in Georgia. And I think they view China as their existential threat, so they've got a lot of capacity out there." The Russian military is thus already somewhat stretched, and Moscow had to carve out from existing units the battalion task groups currently arrayed near eastern Ukraine. Yet "they are clearly on a path to develop, to increase, their capacity," Gen. Hodges says. Add to this expansion that "they've got very good equipment, extremely good communications equipment, their [electronic-warfare] capability, T-80 tanks." How long will it take for Russia to reach its desired military strength? "I think within another two or three years they will have that capacity," he says.. -SNIP-


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: europe; moldova; putinsbuttboys; russia; transnistria; ukraine; vladtheimploder
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1 posted on 02/15/2015 6:22:35 PM PST by presidio9
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Also discussed in yesterday's JOURNAL EDITORIAL REPORT.
2 posted on 02/15/2015 6:24:07 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: presidio9
not that they're going to start a war in five or six years

Oh heavens no! Who would even think such a thing!

3 posted on 02/15/2015 6:26:00 PM PST by Steely Tom (Vote GOP for A Slower Handbasket)
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To: CynicalBear

Seems things are getting interesting


4 posted on 02/15/2015 6:27:05 PM PST by StoneWall Brigade (Daniel 2 Daniel 7 Daniel 9 Revelation 13 Revelation 16 Revelation 17 Revelation 18 Revelation 19)
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To: presidio9
It's all good, as long as the system gets overwhelmed.
5 posted on 02/15/2015 6:27:58 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (If obama speaks and there is no one there to hear it, is it still a lie?)
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To: StoneWall Brigade

“they are anticipating that things are going to happen, and that they will be in a war of some sort, of some scale, with somebody within the next five or six years.”

This is an incredibly safe prediction. I bet there’s not a period in human history for which this prediction would not have been true.


6 posted on 02/15/2015 6:32:16 PM PST by ModelBreaker (')
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To: presidio9

Europe would have no hope of defending themselves, if they even wanted to, and the Muslims would probably have a shot at taking over in the rubble.


7 posted on 02/15/2015 6:33:12 PM PST by GeronL
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To: ModelBreaker

It is like predicting Muslim terror attacks somewhere on Earth


8 posted on 02/15/2015 6:34:02 PM PST by GeronL
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To: GeronL

Well, that’s the plan, anyway.


9 posted on 02/15/2015 6:34:15 PM PST by ClearCase_guy (The dog days are over /The dog days are done/Can you hear the horses? /'Cause here they come)
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To: presidio9
With Barack Obama as president of the USA the Russkies feel free to run around their own sandlot doing what they please.


10 posted on 02/15/2015 6:35:47 PM PST by Iron Munro (Mark Steyn: “fundamentally transformed” is a euphemism for “wrecked beyond repair.”)
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To: presidio9

11 posted on 02/15/2015 6:36:11 PM PST by TADSLOS (The Event Horizon has come and gone. Buckle up and hang on.)
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To: ModelBreaker
It is interesting to note that, following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1992, the Russian Federation is been involved as a combatant in ten different wars -perhaps three of which you've ever heard of.

I wonder how many Americans are aware of any of this. For that matter, I wonder if the president is.

12 posted on 02/15/2015 6:43:38 PM PST by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does.)
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To: TADSLOS

If what is happening in the White House was in a movie, it would be considered a parody or a satire.


13 posted on 02/15/2015 6:44:10 PM PST by PghBaldy (12/14 - 930am -rampage begins... 12/15 - 1030am - Obama's advance team scouts photo-op locations.)
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To: TADSLOS

Put that picture with the one of his Secretary of State in a “bunny” suit and it’s like romper room.


14 posted on 02/15/2015 6:45:25 PM PST by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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To: presidio9

Believe me, Romney did not think of that, his handlers did.


15 posted on 02/15/2015 6:45:32 PM PST by ansel12 (Palin--Mr President, the only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke.)
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To: presidio9

Do not be quick to second guess Russia, because Russians are firm believers in both deception as to their true motives, and striking where they are not expected to strike.

I believe their real intent is with the expectation of conflict with China. With the prize being Siberia.

For years now, the Chinese have been quietly emigrating thousands of Han Chinese into Siberia, under minimal pretext. And this is typical of Chinese aggression, that it is subtle, yet determined. To own a place by overwhelming its local population with Chinese, and shouldering out its inhabitants. Then to declare it theirs.

By this technique, the Chinese figure that they will over the course of years, own Siberia without firing a shot.

But Russians are also part Asian, and they have their own way of doing business. Since Siberia is still theirs, they have full authority to do with it as they please, including deporting thousands of Chinese back to China. Something the Chinese government will likely profoundly resist.


16 posted on 02/15/2015 6:46:33 PM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy ("Don't compare me to the almighty, compare me to the alternative." -Obama, 09-24-11)
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To: TADSLOS

“president Selfie”...


17 posted on 02/15/2015 6:46:44 PM PST by GraceG (Protect the Border from Illegal Aliens, Don't Protect Illegal Alien Boarders...)
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To: presidio9

Maybe they’re getting ready for the Gog/Magog war in Ezekiel 38 and 39!


18 posted on 02/15/2015 6:47:18 PM PST by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: GeronL
Europe would have no hope of defending themselves, if they even wanted to

Russia is no match for NATO.

19 posted on 02/15/2015 6:47:33 PM PST by ansel12 (Palin--Mr President, the only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke.)
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To: presidio9
Luckily we brought all of our armor divisions back and demobed them was back in the '90s! </sarc>
20 posted on 02/15/2015 6:48:18 PM PST by Gamecock (Joel Osteen is a minister of the Gospel like Captain Crunch is a Naval line officer.)
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