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 introducedbuilding on America's decades-long role on the Continentsince 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-
Well, there is no shortage of reasons to make fun of the Germans, but I’m pretty sure tank-building isn’t one of them -sort of like making fun of the Scots when it comes to creating alcoholic beverages(and who gives a good God damn what the label looks like). Am I right?
It is intended for the Airborne, who still have the mission of starting their fight surrounded by the enemy, after parachuting in behind their lines.
They like to have something bigger than what they can carry themselves.
If China and Russia go to war against the US at the same time, they will have those extra forces in reserve to use against us.
Just remember, this is the guy who is putting the MOH around the necks of our heroes. It’s the ultimate expression of Obama’s cynicism and abuse of our military.
I don’t know why you’d mount a TOW (or similar) AT missile on it like the picture has then.
Could be assuming the light cavalry screening mission in restrictive terrain (instead of HUMMWV-mounted cav). Sure to heck wouldn’t use it in the desert, but Europe...?
They certainly wouldn’t be going toe-to-toe with armored formations, but I could see a bunch of reconnaissance, harassment and attrition missions
Um, no. The Russians want a clear land bridge to their Black Sea naval bases in Crimea --something they've had since Catherine the Great ruled the lands. Something they've had until the West started trying to drag Ukraine into NATO.
I dont dispute any of that.
My concern is that is fighting the last war. I would imagine that they are working on new tactics. I would ot put it behind them to use tactical, low yield nukes to intimidate and then move forward.
I would also think that cooperative agreements would work with Germany. Since the Russians are not commies anymore, I think they would be willing to create an economic zone, rather than invade. Total war is so 20th century.
The West is using this Russian invasion to increase military spending and strengthen NATO, for instance the new 30,000 man quick reaction force, and relocating bases farther East, and moving men and materials into locations making them more available to stop Russian attacks on the smaller more vulnerable NATO members.
Putin is playing into the hands of the politics of stronger national defense and NATO unity, even in non-NATO nations like Sweden and Finland there is new talk of joining NATO, and the need to start facing a reemerging evil Russia.
“Poland kicks off unprecedented military spending spree”
Warsaw (AFP) - Looking east to the bloody conflict gripping Ukraine, NATO-member Poland has kicked off an unprecedented military spending spree worth billions to overhaul its forces as Warsaw believes peace in Europe is no longer a given.
Can there really be any discussion about war between NATO and Russia without the use of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? Every Russian white paper stresses the use of nuclear weapons if Russia’s interests are threatened in it’s sphere of interest. Of course, the papers don’t usually describe what that interest is.
Please drop this silly claim that Russia wants to start a nuclear war with us.
If Russia triggers the West’s ability to destroy Armies, then the Russian military is quickly wiped out and Russia ceases to exist as they are muscled from the East and China has their way with them, and as they have no military to deal with secessionist movements.
Russia is already desperately bluffing that they are muscular, a couple of weeks against us and they would have nothing, quit trying to spread Russia’s propaganda.
Bull, just what is going on in the world that suddenly makes Russia want to create a nuclear war?
Seriously, what is this end of the world happening that I am missing that while Russia was not stupid enough for WWIII, during the Cold War as millions died in wars around the world, and that finally resulted in their total defeat and end of empire, that suddenly now, something is going on somewhere, that is so big, that Russia has to destroy itself in a blaze of nuclear fire?
Why are you such a douche? Can you ever engage in a conversation without sounding like a world class asshat?
Some of us have been sounding the alarm for the last few years. Not many wanted to listen.
Can you ever get on one of these threads and not promote Russia over us?
> This is part of why I suspect the West is using Ukraine as cannon fodder in a long drawn out conflict.
Absolutely. Russia is interested in nothing more than controlling it’s “near abroad”. They are capable of much more than that.
What do the Commanders in Europe say?
Maybe those in Europe, if they even give s**t, should be ramping up? Or is it up the the tax payers in the U.S. to save them again?
Too bad your post isn’t that relevant to the question at hand, who is strongest.
Especially your graph on medicare spending.
That, too. But the obvious can be deceptive.
In 1968, the Red Army assumed it was going to invade Yugoslavia, because Tito had been a real jerk to Russia. And they were downright puzzled when the order came through to invade Czechoslovakia, Russia’s friendly, close ally.
Most of NATO is.
Poland kicks off unprecedented military spending spree
Warsaw (AFP) - Looking east to the bloody conflict gripping Ukraine, NATO-member Poland has kicked off an unprecedented military spending spree worth billions to overhaul its forces as Warsaw believes peace in Europe is no longer a given.
“many weapons analysts consider the German Leopard 2-A7 the top main battle tank in the world”
Per wiki, exactly 20 of the Leopards were to be converted to A7’s.
Just 20.
And they have no “urban defense”, either.
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