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-
Well you made the comment which begged the question.
I personally wouldn’t ask any of these people anything, as I never trusted any of them and that includes those on this side of the ocean.
Seriously, you think that something is going on somewhere that suddenly makes Russia want to end it all in WWIII?
Or do you think that this is silly bluffing so that people will post it on forums and to give the left talking points.
Many years ago, I read “In the History of the world, there has been only 5 days of peace.”
I’ve heard several analysts say they want Ukraine to essentially become a frozen conflict, lest a prosperous Ukraine decides to look Westward.
Perhaps they might regret what they wish for.
At least?
You think that Putin wouldn’t trade for the French carrier that is actually operational and conducting war missions?
Mini tanks?
That wasn’t a nuclear weapon.
No? Then it's a cheap attrition (suicide) weapon, kinda like the old M3 Stuart tank.
In not saying NATO should stand down, but to pretend that we aren't close to something big starting under the right circumstances is misreading events in a historical context.
You are so blind.
You continually take every potential enemy as a bunch of incompetent fools.
If you do not look at the potential enemies objectively, you are bound to be on the losing side.
Personally, there are a lot of armchair generals on here that deserve to be incinerated because of their short sightedness.
sorry, but the Cold War ended in 2009 - the Communists won.
Agree.
“Why mock that weapon for paratroopers and use in the proper environments?”
Well ill danged if I didn’t just agree with you about something. That thing is very small (easy to hide, hard to hit, speedy and cheap) and can navigate those nutty Euro narrow streets. And that tube on top is indeed a vicious tank killer. Any honest taker will tell you things like that are one of their nightmares.
Really, continually? How many of our enemies do you defend that I have responded about?
Your technique is to preach that Russia is too strong to resist, if not too strong, then too crazy to resist, but your argument is always to submit to Russia’s military goals and do not impede them conquering Ukraine and moving their troops up to our NATO borders.
Why is that? Why do you want the west to submit and not oppose Putin’s military goals against us, as he attempts to build into becoming a true threat in the future?
Why do you want him to be able to obtain these all important building blocks, and why do you call yourself a Lieutenant, as though you have been in the military?
It is a bluff, why would Russia want to start a nuclear war with the NATO nuclear powers?
I keep asking you, what is going on that makes Russia want to commit suicide?
You guys must have hated Reagan, because he would not be showing the weakness that you want Obama to show MORE of.
Obama, TOO Reagan like for you guys.
So one thread you are touting how bad ass Russias military is and in another you say they are weak. In that other thread I was the one saying how Russia couldn’t fight a prolonged war and now you seem to agree?
And you called me a troll.
At least I’m consistent.
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.
Hmmm... something about that strategy sounds familiar. Where have I heard of something like that happening??????.... hmmm.....
The war can be found in Ezekiel 38-39.
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