U.S. Poised to Put Heavy Weaponry in East Europe
Source: NYT
RIGA, Latvia In a significant move to deter possible Russian aggression in Europe, the Pentagon is poised to store battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other heavy weapons for as many as 5,000 American troops in several Baltic and Eastern European countries, American and allied officials say.
The proposal, if approved, would represent the first time since the end of the Cold War that the United States has stationed heavy military equipment in the newer NATO member nations in Eastern Europe that had once been part of the Soviet sphere of influence. Russias annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine have caused alarm and prompted new military planning in NATO capitals.
It would be the most prominent of a series of moves the United States and NATO have taken to bolster forces in the region and send a clear message of resolve to allies and to Russias president, Vladimir V. Putin, that the United States would defend the alliances members closest to the Russian frontier.
After the expansion of NATO to include the Baltic nations in 2004, the United States and its allies avoided the permanent stationing of equipment or troops in the east as they sought varying forms of partnership with Russia.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/14/world/europe/us-poised-to-put-heavy-weaponry-in-east-europe.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=0
Wilms
(26,795 posts)And then tell her to not come out.
Shit stirrers.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)Duckhunter935
(16,974 posts)When Russia invades and annexes parts of other sovereign nations. We moved that stuff out and were no threat.
jakeXT
(10,575 posts)Why is the Pentagon stuffing caves in Norway full of tanks?
The Pentagon sent tanks, armored vehicles, and containers full of other military gear to caves in Norway. It's all for the U.S. Marine Corps, which wants to update and expand its Scandinavian stockpile.
The Corps has stashed weapons and equipment in the Norwegian countryside since the 1980s. With this setup, Marines can fly in and be ready for a fight in no time.
In addition, the Pentagon saves money by not having to keep a large force in Norway year-round. Washington already spends billions each year running huge bases across Europe.
...
The American military storehouses in Norway have all the other basic equipment a Marine Expeditionary Brigade needs to get up and running. A MEB can range in size from 14,000 to 18,000 people and includes tanks, helicopters and fighter jets.
The Pentagon began planning to update the equipment in Norway last year. But the Marine Corps probably is especially happy now to have the extra vehicles as the crisis in Ukraine smolders.
http://theweek.com/articles/442882/why-pentagon-stuffing-caves-norway-full-tanks
GeorgeGist
(25,327 posts)L0oniX
(31,493 posts)cstanleytech
(26,368 posts)of the Ukraine and pull his troops out and that he will stop supporting the supposed "rebels" because I honestly believe thats really what is fueling this fear by the other countries near Russia.
NuclearDem
(16,184 posts)All Putin has to do is stop invading his neighbors. It's really that simple.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Yupster
(14,308 posts)or it won't.
If Estonia or Latvia are invaded it will be over in two days unless there are NATO troops there.
lsewpershad
(2,620 posts)of American bases around the world might come in handy.