USA and Poland: a joint performance for a European audience
Washington was not impressed by the Polish two billion dollars that Warsaw allegedly offered for hosting an American tank divisions in its territory.
The US representative to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, stated that at the moment Washington is not considering the issue of stationing troops in Poland on a permanent basis and, accordingly, is not taking any action on this matter. Poland is certainly a good ally, but today the US has no plans to deploy permanent military bases there, she added.
At present, there are about 5 thousands of US military and personnel on a rotational basis in Poland. That is, their number is associated with ongoing activities in the region.
Honestly, the response of the American representative is not surprising. All story with the payment of the Poles of the American military base from the very beginning did not look very convincing.
There is no doubt that if the Poles had two “extra” billion dollars, they would have found far more interesting and practical use for them than the transfer of them to the Americans. If they are so worried about security, they would undoubtedly have invested this money in their army. On the development and strengthening of which they recently do not stint.
Moreover, Polish loyalty not only to Brussels, but also to Washington is far from limitless. Warsaw, being on its mind, traditionally tries to play its game on the contradictions of the US and the EU. And surely, to pay such money to Uncle Sam for imaginary defense against a fictional danger (which the Polish leadership understands perfectly) Warsaw would not have become.
So, unlike more rich Germany shakes over every euro, which it seeks to “drag out” the United States to support NATO and protect it from the “Russian threat”.
The information noise about Poland’s intention to pay for the presence of American tanks on the Vistula most closely resembles a performance played on the eve of the summit of the NATO ministers of war ministers.
Recall, the head of the Pentagon, James Mattis, flew to Europe with the intention of requiring European allies to create an operational reserve of forces aimed against Russia using the 30-30-30-30 formula: (thirty battalions, thirty squadrons, thirty ships deployed in thirty days).
In this sense, the Polish proposal sounded like a clear hint to the European allies: either provide the operational reserve and the rapid reaction forces themselves, or pay, like the Poles, the stay of the American contingent.
As the Europeans perfectly understand, the deployment of the American division near the Russian borders will become a powerful irritating factor. After all, what is happening is quite consistent with the Americans' favorite way to make deals - to create a problem for a partner or even a threat, and then demand what he wants from it for its elimination.
Today, it is very important for Americans that European members of NATO put pressure on Russia on their own or with minimal US participation.
Recall, Donald Trump has repeatedly stated this, including during the election campaign, pointing out that the Europeans should be concerned about the Europeans themselves, that their protection should not be paid from the US budget.
Washington needs this not only for reasons of economy. He needs maximum freedom of hands and a wide scope for maneuvering the forces and means to implement his global plans and promote interests not only in Europe, but also in other regions of the planet.
Mattis, as we know, achieved complete success in his mission: his plan “30х4” was accepted by his NATO colleagues quite easily and without special objections. Perhaps, the merit in this is not only this American-Polish performance, but he undoubtedly played his part.
The US representative to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, stated that at the moment Washington is not considering the issue of stationing troops in Poland on a permanent basis and, accordingly, is not taking any action on this matter. Poland is certainly a good ally, but today the US has no plans to deploy permanent military bases there, she added.
At present, there are about 5 thousands of US military and personnel on a rotational basis in Poland. That is, their number is associated with ongoing activities in the region.
Honestly, the response of the American representative is not surprising. All story with the payment of the Poles of the American military base from the very beginning did not look very convincing.
There is no doubt that if the Poles had two “extra” billion dollars, they would have found far more interesting and practical use for them than the transfer of them to the Americans. If they are so worried about security, they would undoubtedly have invested this money in their army. On the development and strengthening of which they recently do not stint.
Moreover, Polish loyalty not only to Brussels, but also to Washington is far from limitless. Warsaw, being on its mind, traditionally tries to play its game on the contradictions of the US and the EU. And surely, to pay such money to Uncle Sam for imaginary defense against a fictional danger (which the Polish leadership understands perfectly) Warsaw would not have become.
So, unlike more rich Germany shakes over every euro, which it seeks to “drag out” the United States to support NATO and protect it from the “Russian threat”.
The information noise about Poland’s intention to pay for the presence of American tanks on the Vistula most closely resembles a performance played on the eve of the summit of the NATO ministers of war ministers.
Recall, the head of the Pentagon, James Mattis, flew to Europe with the intention of requiring European allies to create an operational reserve of forces aimed against Russia using the 30-30-30-30 formula: (thirty battalions, thirty squadrons, thirty ships deployed in thirty days).
In this sense, the Polish proposal sounded like a clear hint to the European allies: either provide the operational reserve and the rapid reaction forces themselves, or pay, like the Poles, the stay of the American contingent.
As the Europeans perfectly understand, the deployment of the American division near the Russian borders will become a powerful irritating factor. After all, what is happening is quite consistent with the Americans' favorite way to make deals - to create a problem for a partner or even a threat, and then demand what he wants from it for its elimination.
Today, it is very important for Americans that European members of NATO put pressure on Russia on their own or with minimal US participation.
Recall, Donald Trump has repeatedly stated this, including during the election campaign, pointing out that the Europeans should be concerned about the Europeans themselves, that their protection should not be paid from the US budget.
Washington needs this not only for reasons of economy. He needs maximum freedom of hands and a wide scope for maneuvering the forces and means to implement his global plans and promote interests not only in Europe, but also in other regions of the planet.
Mattis, as we know, achieved complete success in his mission: his plan “30х4” was accepted by his NATO colleagues quite easily and without special objections. Perhaps, the merit in this is not only this American-Polish performance, but he undoubtedly played his part.
Information