Poland and the USA are reportedly in talks over setting up an American military base on the border with Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea.
Even though the final decision is yet to be made, the most likely site for the US military base has reportedly been picked. It’s the town of Orzysz, mere 140 km (87 miles) away from Kaliningrad.
Polish experts are also cited as saying that the permanent presence of US troops in the area would ensure a more effective defense for Poland in general?
However, it’s impossible to deploy any substantial military force in terms of manpower and combat strength to a single military base. In a best-scenario, we’re talking about a brigade or a division at most.
However, in a war this huge it would be impossible to achieve military objectives of any significance with the force of just one offensive brigade or division.
Looking at such a small number of troops and the location of their base as some kind of staging area for launching an offensive against Russia is also unreasonable.
As for deploying one brigade or division in eastern Poland, this seems to be a purely cosmetic gesture because it will not boost the country’s defenses significantly.
What it will do, however, is further deteriorate relations with Moscow. There are no other foreseeable military or political gains that the current Polish plan can bring about.
History has shown that on more than one occasion the Western allies of Poland were unprepared to provide it with any palpable help and support other than friendly advice.
In September 1939, for example, neither Great Britain nor France did anything at all to help Warsaw reflect the act of aggression which Nazi Germany perpetrated against Poland.
That’s why a deployment of foreign troops on Polish territory could help reach a long-sought-after result as the government of Poland sees it. If a military conflict erupts then NATO forces, primarily US troops, would be involved in fighting, one way or another.
There are currently about 3,000 US troops deployed in Poland on a rotation basis. Decision makers in Warsaw seem to think that bringing in American troops on a permanent basis will help improve security in the region.
Yet, another increase in NATO’s presence on Russia’s doorstep may in fact undermine stability as Moscow sees the growing military activities of the US-led alliance in eastern Europe as threat to national security.
Russia has repeatedly said that it’s not going to attack anyone but it has to protect its borders against any potential attack. It warned that if a US military base is built on the Polish territory, it will have to take countermeasures.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point Military News 2018.
