The discussion centers on the deployment of U.S. troops to Poland as part of NATO's response to Russian aggression, particularly following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. President Obama initiated this troop presence to reassure NATO's eastern members amid heightened tensions. The future of this deployment is uncertain, especially with President-elect Donald Trump's critical stance on NATO, raising questions about potential troop withdrawal. Polish leaders have welcomed the U.S. presence, viewing it as a long-awaited fulfillment of their security aspirations.
PREREQUISITESPolitical analysts, military strategists, historians, and anyone interested in NATO's role in Eastern European security and U.S.-Russia relations.
The ramp-up is partly an attempt by President Obama to calm the nerves of NATO's newer members after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and destabilized that country's eastern flank. More recently, the Kremlin deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad, a sliver of Russian territory between Poland and Lithuania, and conducted military exercises along its borders with former Soviet satellite countries. Russian officials insist the ramp-up is in response to NATO actions.
But whether President-elect Donald Trump — who is highly critical of NATO — will withdraw the brigade after taking office is a question mark, said Michael Mazarr, associate director of the RAND Arroyo Center's Strategy, Doctrine, and Resources Program.
But in Germany, which is home to the U.S. Army in Europe headquarters, a new populist party with growing support from German voters, wants the American troops gone from Poland.
The co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, Frauke Petry, argued that antagonizing Vladimir Putin hasn't cut down on violence in Ukraine or Syria.
"NATO sort of surrounding Russia is not going to help," she told NPR. "It's going to deepen the conflict. But I'm hopeful that Trump and Putin are going to end the situation."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/waited-decades-polish-govt-welcomes-us-troops-140258737.htmlWARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish leaders welcomed U.S. troops to their country Saturday, with the defense minister expressing gratitude for their arrival and calling it the fulfillment of a dream Poles have had for decades.
The troops are due to fan out across seven countries from Estonia to Bulgaria for exercises. A headquarters unit will be stationed in Germany. After nine months they will be replaced by another unit.