The postwar Iraq [Realignment of forces - Europe]

The Washington Times ^ | April 29, 2003 | George Allen

[xsysmgr]

Constanza is a port on Romania's Black Sea coast. No statues of Saddam were toppled there. No shots were fired on those shores. However, it is where an important contribution was made to winning the war against Saddam.

The port city of Constanza is located almost halfway between Berlin and Baghdad. There, on the friendly edge of Europe, Romania welcomed more than 1000 U.S. troops deployed to disarm and liberate Iraq. In solidarity with the coalition against Iraq, Romania opened its airfields as an "air bridge" to the Gulf, and through Constanza were moved many of the essential tools for victory. The men, women, equipment and supplies of the coalition flowed into the Persian Gulf region not just in massive numbers, but at precisely the right time, in precisely the right order, with precisely the right mix of resources to deliver victory. Constanza, and resources that Central European states provided, truly facilitated our successful military action.

[xsysmgr]

We should do this not to punish any ally who did not agree with us, nor even simply to reward our newest (and supportive) European allies, but to serve the strategic interests of the United States of America.

The strategic interest of the US is paramount, but rewarding those who support us and punishing those who do not is nice, too.

[Bonaparte]

Actually, the rewards and punishments are a vital part of serving our strategic interests. Suffer an insult or betrayal from just one of these hyenas, and the whole pack will be circling you.

[MEG33]

I think strategic is the first priority but taking dollars out of unfriendly countries is a nice bonus.Often with our so called former allies no good deed goes unpunished.

[gcruse]

Yes, our basing strategy must be to further our own interests. And it is in our interest to punish weasels and reward friends.