News from Ukraine Conflict

[bayonetbrant]

http://www.businessinsider.com/poland-is-preparing-for-a-russian-invasion-2014-10

[Gusington]

Good article...spooky how the word on the steeet used to be that war in Europe was impossible, and now it's kinda sorta possible again...paralleling 1914.

[Airborne Rifles]

Poland's creation of a home army is very interesting.

"WOLVERINE!" anyone?

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

http://www.businessinsider.com/poland-is-preparing-for-a-russian-invasion-2014-10

That puts a different spin on things than I am used to. It's a good article, maybe closer to reality than many people would like. It sounds like it is saying, from the position of the US, let Russia and the EU beat the shit out of each other before coming to the rescue. Less competition for us.
Any country not taking it's self defense seriously is a fool.

[bayonetbrant]

I think what it says is that the Poles are ruefully aware of how many times they've been screwed over time, and the signals from our side not positive indicators, in their mind.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I think it is true that Obama is far more interested in coming to the aid of Africa than Europe.

[Centurion40]

I think what it says is that the Poles are ruefully aware of how many times they've been screwed over time, and the signals from our side not positive indicators, in their mind.

IMHO, we (old NATO) need to establish a "permanent" base on Polish soil with Brit, Yank & Canuck (the furthest flung NATO members from Poland) infantry & armour onsite, 24/7.

As opposed to WWII, Polish allies will have direct supply lines to Poland (via Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic) should there be war with Russia.  But the Russians would need to be insane to start a war.  Seriously insane....

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Old men can be dangerous, they only have a few years to lose. Young men can be dangerous, they think they have forever. Only us middle aged people are rational about time. :-p

[LongBlade]

I think what it says is that the Poles are ruefully aware of how many times they've been screwed over time, and the signals from our side not positive indicators, in their mind.

Putin may be dumb, but he isn't stupid. From the article:

Only Poland, which occupies the Alliance's central front, has the military power to seriously blunt any Russian moves westward.

If you're going to try to divide NATO, why strike where it is strongest? Like Ukraine and the Sudetenland, if he's going to do anything he'll pick at the edges first.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I think what it says is that the Poles are ruefully aware of how many times they've been screwed over time, and the signals from our side not positive indicators, in their mind.

Putin may be dumb, but he isn't stupid. From the article:

Only Poland, which occupies the Alliance's central front, has the military power to seriously blunt any Russian moves westward.

If you're going to try to divide NATO, why strike where it is strongest? Like Ukraine and the Sudetenland, if he's going to do anything he'll pick at the edges first.

I agree with that. He knows he cannot win a real war with NATO. If he can force economic costs, which small members cannot bare, he can make an excuse for not coming to their aid. Yes, the fringes makes sense.

In addition to Poland being a strong front line of defense, from say a surprise move through Belarus, the Ukraine starts to look like a good point for a defensive barrier. Now that Ukraine seems to be voting to become more like the EU, sick of the Russian BS, you have to wonder if it is time to sell them real defensive firepower. Maybe even missile defense. Its a better location to stop middle east missiles as well.

[LongBlade]

Not exactly about Ukraine, but this may be topical to the thread.

Or not. Feel free to splice it as you wish, Brant.

A high-ranking military officer stands accused of espionage after his arrest in the country's defence ministry. A lawyer with contacts throughout parliament has been taken into custody on spying charges. Cyber attacks on the country's government have been linked to a foreign power.

In the neighbouring Czech Republic, security services warn of a surge in the number of foreign intelligence officers working out of Prague's embassies.

All the events are unconnected, the respective spy agencies say, save for one thing: Russia.

source: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/60bc4b0e-6034-11e4-98e6-00144feabdc0.html

[pawelj]

http://www.businessinsider.com/poland-is-preparing-for-a-russian-invasion-2014-10

I like this quote: ""They really have no idea what they are doing," he opined about Obama and his national security staff, "and we know it. You have no idea how many promises we've been given, even by the President himself, but there's never any follow-up, it's all talk. He thinks he's on Oprah."

[Martok]

God, I'm actually starting to miss Bush.  :-[  Never thought I'd say that. 

[BanzaiCat]

That's totally awesome, that our NATO allies are berift of confidence in us. Seems that our incompetence is mainly a thin layer of idiotic politicians that needs to be cracked wide open. I don't think there's many of us that would stand for this bullsh!t.

God, I'm actually starting to miss Bush.

I'm missing just about any President since Reagan on. Even coat-tails George Sr. and his son.

Man, how we need a Truman, Reagan, or someone similar now.

[Martok]

To clarify, I meant Little Bush.  I actually respected and liked George, Sr. 


But I think even the former would still be an improvement at this point.