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.
As of now, there is no official number of US troops that have entered Poland. The exact number is classified information and can vary depending on the source.
The US troops have entered Poland as part of a NATO mission to enhance security and deter any potential aggression from Russia towards Eastern Europe. It is also a show of support and solidarity with Poland and other NATO allies.
The duration of the US troops' stay in Poland is not confirmed. It depends on the ongoing security situation and agreements between the US and Poland. The troops' presence may continue for an extended period or be rotated with other NATO forces.
Russia has expressed concerns over the presence of US troops in Poland, viewing it as a threat to their national security. They have also criticized it as a violation of the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act, which prohibits the permanent deployment of NATO forces in Eastern Europe.
There is always a risk of tensions and possible conflicts when foreign troops enter a new country. However, both Poland and the US have stated that the deployment of US troops is purely for defensive purposes and does not pose a threat to any neighboring countries. Additionally, all NATO forces are under strict rules of engagement to prevent any potential conflicts.