Comments by "Pantherparatrooper" (@506thparatrooper) on "WSJ News" channel.

Hence NATO countries feel no real urgency to fund their own defenses instead of sticking the American taxpayer with much of their defense costs as well as providing Ukraine with critical military equipment Europe can no longer produce.
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Also, excellent business for Poland is the presence of over 10,000 American Soldiers stationed in Poland since the war began in Ukraine. This includes an American armored brigade & combat aviation brigade, America's Fifth Corp Forward Headquarters in Poznan, missile defense system in Redzikowo, equipment & ammo depots in Powidz.
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As an American, I'm grateful for NATO's support after 911. Also, many victims who died in the twin towers in NYC and on the planes were Europeans. It was much more than an attack on one NATO country. The presence of over 300,000 American troops during the height of the Cold War and over 100,000 troops stationed there currently, especially in Poland and the Baltic States, over NATO's 75 year existence, is a major profit for all European NATO countries enjoying 75 years of peace. Some historical context to why America invoked Article 5 assistance. At 911, the US AWACS fleet consisted of 28 AWACS aircraft and 3,400 personnel, engaged in four different theaters of operation globally in support of American military assistance commitments to other allies including Europe. The United States requested NATO deploy its AWACS to reduce the operational pressure on the US AWACS fleet, allowing them to continue to conduct much-needed training and maintenance. On 8 October NATO agreed to provide five NATO AWACS and crews in support of the anti-terrorist campaign. Operation Eagle Assist ended on 15 May 2002. In more than seven months of patrolling the skies over the United States, the E-3A Component flew 447 sorties with a total of 4,719 flying hours. The majority of these flights went to the East Coast, and other flights guarded major cities, nuclear power plants, bridges or major sports events.
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That would mean Europe actually funded its own defense instead of cutting its defense spending from 3% to 1.3% at the end of the Cold War. That would also mean an end to the green agenda that foolishly shut down nuclear power plants forcing them to send billions of Euros in profits to Russia for oil/ LNG imports. That would mean a radical shift in immigration policy to rebuild plummeting populations for decades in every European country.
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The same thing that happens with any agreement made with Russia-discarded the moment it is adventagous to Russia to do so.
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For the past 75 years, Europe enjoyed peace primarily because of America's efforts. The NATO Alliance should know America's committed. If there is any division, it would be from 20 NATO countries breaking their commitment to fund their defense with at least 2% of its GDP.
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@ogathingo8885 The quality of the politicians character are a reflection of the quality of the populations electing them.
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I respect Poland and wish the 20 other NATO allies were as faithful as her. Valid points about Poland US factories producing military aid to Europe & Ukraine. I did not ignore your points. There is not enough space to explain the replacement costs of US military equipment compared to that given to Ukraine. For instance, US Air Force needed 700 to replace the retired F15's but only received 186 F-22 Raptors. The next generation M1 Abrams & M2 Bradleys are more expensive than the ones donated to Ukraine. In 2022, America spent $877 Bn dollars or 39% of Global Spending on defense or more than the top ten countries combined. Poland spent $16.6 billion or .7% of the World Percentage of Global Spending on Defense according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Most tracking US defense spending by GDP use the "Acknowledged DoD Spending" vs the actual defense spending by all US government departments, ie, NASA, Department of Energy, etc. In 2022, US actual defense spending was 6% of GDP or $1.537 trillion, vs the acknowledged 3.45% $765.8 billion/ NATO's $821 billion. SIPRI's and NATO's estimations for the United States are vastly understated leading to the claim Poland spent more of its GDP than the US.
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I served as an American Soldier on two senior US Generals's staffs in Kaiserslautern & Wiesbaden, Germany, 2013-2017, I understand host nation's cost sharing and actual costs to the American taxpayer. I believe America has benefited from the NATO alliance like post 911 and am grateful. Lets compare without complaining Europe's contributions with America's. Even while enjoying the tremendous economic benefits of over 100,000 American Soldiers and their families as well as the taxes of thousands of EU national workers paid by America, Germany reimburses a fraction of the billions of taxpayer dollars for these expenses. Like most American Soldiers, my German rent was three times the local German's rent in the same area. According to NATO, why is 20 of 31 nations failing to fulfill their commitment of 2% for almost 10 years acceptable but America failing for 5 months to fulfill her commitment to Ukraine some unspeakable failure? Several dear Ukrainian friends are in Ukraine so I understand the urgency. During NATO's 75 years, America ALWAYS fulfilled her commitment resulting in Europe's longest time of peace. According to NATO, America paid 70% of NATO's financial expenditures in 2022 alone. The 911 terrorist attacks occurred in America and also killed 133 citizens from 12 other NATO countries. It was an attack on more than one NATO nation. Operation Eagle Assist ran 7 months, 9 October 2001-16 May 2002, To date, 830 crew members from 13 NATO nations patrolled US skies. Since NATO's creation, America flew tens of thousands of combat, refueling and reconnaissance air patrols over Europe. These were supported by hundreds of thousands of American airmen, planes equipment and weapons costing the American taxpayer trillions of dollars. According to the World Institute for Economic as of January 2024, EU support to Ukraine=$90B including $10 billion for military aid & 70 billion finances to Ukraine government. Uk provided about $15 billion in military and some humanitarian aid while the US provided $42 billion in military aid, $20 billion financial and $8 billion humanitarian or $70 billion total. Once America resolves several critical issues through the democratic process and passes an expected $61 billion aid package, total US aid to Ukraine will jump to $131 billion total. My Danish friend, when can America expect the EU will get its house in order and provide the remaining two thirds of the one million artillery shells it promised to Ukraine last year? North Korea with an economy a fraction of the EU's possibly Denmarks provided Russia with 1 million artillery shells.
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@kirstinevad347 Today's headlines provide a great European example of strengthening NATO's defense and how to quickly provide Ukraine with critical weapons and ammo. In NATO's Newest Member, 'Total Defense' Includes Teens and Retirees When Sweden joins NATO as soon as this week, the alliance will gain a solidly anti-Russian member with a robust military that provides critical defense of Europe’s northern flank. It also brings a country whose approach to national security—engaging teenagers, retirees, teachers and police officers in the country’s defense—offers a model for other European countries fearing Russian aggression. Sweden also wins broad support for its military industry, which ranks among the world’s top in technology and exports. “This is an area where I think Sweden punches above its weight,” said Defense Minister Pal Jonson. Wall Street Journal 26 February 2024
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Radek was also historically accurate that it was President Trump who sent lethal military equipment to Ukraine after Russia's two invasions and annexation in 2014. President Trump also provided military advisors to Ukraine. Biden withdrew these American Soldiers in 2022 before Russia's third invasion. This training is producing some of the best results on the battlefield in Ukraine. Additionally, President Trump pushed for critical military and civilian hierarchy changes from Soviet to Western leadership models and tactics. Biden's idea of supporting Ukraine was offering President Zelensky a ride out of Ukraine and delaying for months and years in some cases critical military equipment and ammo requested by Ukraine.
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@marcinpok4264 I would agree with you but then we would both be wrong. Having worked for two US Army Generals in Europe, 2013-2017, I understand the difference between host nation financial support and the much larger unreimbursed expenses to the American taxpayer. Poland will pay about $300 million for infrastructure like barracks, naval & aerial port improvements, etc. The largest initiative is $93 million for new Army barracks & dining facility in Powidz, a major aviation and logistical hub for the U.S. military. Other projects include a $35 million rotary wing apron in Powidz, fuel storage and rail improvements in Swietoszow, and aerial port and taxiway upgrades in Wroclaw and $16.2 million to establish a “company operations facility” for U.S. special operations troops doing missions in Lubliniec. Source - Stars and Stripes Poland will recover most if not all its expenditures through the millions of dollars injected into the local economies and Poland assuming control of these bases whenever the American forces withdraw.
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@juancayon7531 Except the Polish Foreign Minister like most European NATO allies want it one way-don't call us but we will call and expect an answer from the US. Hence the stationing of 10,000 American troops in Poland.
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@nimmha6708 You are partially correct. Certainly, American military bases like Ramstein AFB have strategic theater and defensive advantages for all NATO. Having lived and worked near the base, I also know the incredible huge economic advantage of thousands of American Soldiers and their family members as well as the thousands of local nationals working on them pouring billions of dollars into the host nation's economy. Like all Americans, I paid 3 times what the local nationals paid for rent. Having worked for two US Army Generals in Europe, 2013-2017, I understand the difference between host nation financial support and the much larger unreimbursed expenses to the American taxpayer too. After paying over 6% of her GDP for defense over NATO's 75 years while Germany like 19 other nations fails to pay 2% of GDP for 10 years, America reasonably expected Europe provide planes for 7 months after the 911 attacks. Compare that with the thousands of American sorties flying from Ramstein to protect European skies for 75 years. Twelve other NATO countries lost 133 citizens during the 911 attacks. Those terrorists attacked more than one NATO country. Poland enjoys the same economic and defense advantages with 10,000 American Soldiers stationed in Poland. To borrow the Foreign Minister's phrase, America never sent a receipt to Germany or Europe for the hundreds of thousands of American troops there.
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Most Americans support giving Ukraine additional military support. They do not support endless military aid for a war President Biden has yet to declare a Ukrainian victory is America's policy and how this is achieved as General Ben Hodges, former US Army Europe Commanding General, repeatedly states is critical for sustaining the American people's support for Ukraine. The Republican led US House passed a combined aid packaged in December 2023 that included bipartisan supported reforms to asylum processes and funds for securing America's southern border through which 8 million and growing illegals crossed in the past 3 years. Biden threatened to veto this bill and his democrat colleagues in the US Senate defeated it. The same Biden whose idea of supporting Ukraine as Russia's imminent third invasion loomed offered President Zelensky a flight out of Ukraine! The same Biden who delayed for months and years in some cases, F-16's, ATACMs, American armor, Ukraine's request for military assistance. EU countries and the UK with stricter immigration policies than America resulted in Poland closing its borders with Belarus when Russia tried to flood Poland with illegal immigrants ignore this same threat American national security. Europeans depend on America for defense manufacturing because they gutted their own defense manufacturing capacity for the past 30 years to inflate government pensions, raise their standards of living and pursue green agendas. Germany produces two tanks a month and needs 7 years to produce the artillery ammunition Ukraine fired in one month during the height of its counteroffensive last summer.The British military—the leading U.S. military ally and Europe’s biggest defense spender—has 150 deployable tanks and a dozen serviceable long-range artillery pieces. In 2022, the British military considered sourcing multiple rocket launchers from museums to donate to Ukraine! Like 300,000 American troops stationed in Europe during the Cold War (over 100,000 since 1991) over 10,000 American Soldiers stationed in Poland since the war began in Ukraine also excellent for the Polish economy. This includes an American armored brigade & combat aviation brigade, America's Fifth Corp Forward Headquarters in Poznan, missile defense system in Redzikowo, equipment & ammo depots in Powidz. What does 20 NATO allies' failure to fund their defense with 2% of its GDP after committing to do so in 2014 say about their credibility and commitment to NATO's collective defense?
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@Djamonja 20 of 31 NATO countries still do not spend the bare minimum of 2% of GDP as they unanimously committed to do 10 years ago at a NATO summit. Europe requires America to make up for their gutted defense manufacturing capabilities due to diverting the defense money to bloated government pensions and increased standards of livings. Many European countries benefited incredible increases to their economies like Germany home to most of the 300,000 American Soldiers and their families stationed there during the Cold War and the over 100,000 for the past 10 years. Poland enjoys all the benefits of 10,000 American Soldiers stationed there since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
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@robertsiwek7503 Actually, based on your comments and Portugals track record, like a growing number of Americans, I expect Portugal to let the American taxpayer pick up the cost for her defense as and NATO's. Looking at a map, there is a big ocean separating America from Europe. You might be surprised like during WW2 you can't avoid the consequences of a Russian tyrant. go ahead an sleep walk of that cliff.
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@kirstinevad347 That was a bit of sarcasm on my part. I stand corrected! Thanks for the healthy give and take that can unify and create understanding.
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@Blanka1100 As an American Soldier, I am grateful for Poland's increasingly strong contributions to NATO and Ukraine. My point is while the Foreign Minister calls on America to do more for Ukraine touting Poland's efforts, he would do well with the American people comparing Poland's efforts with America instead of only mentioning invoices for Polish troops, Poland's most recent percentage of GDP for defense and recent Polish contracts for advanced American weapon systems. Percentage of GDP: America's 6% GDP for 75 years compared with Poland's 2% of GDP average beginning in 2015, invoice for 2,500 Polish troops annually to Afghanistan compared with an invoice for 10,000 American Soldiers in Poland, and Polish military contracts for Abrams tanks, Patriot air defense and F-35's fighters (All top military technology America spent trillions of dollars researching & developing) compared with America's millions of dollars pumped annually into Poland's economy also good for Polish business as those 10,000 American Soldiers spend on the local economy, local nationals on American bases pay, etc. According to Polish government information, Poland spent 2% annually for defense 5 times over 15 years 2009-2022, 2.1%, (2015), 2% (2018 & 2019), 2.2% (2020 & 2021) and 2.4% (2022). From 2000 to 2011, Poland spent 2% once in 2007. Poland is a great ally and strong force for NATO's collective defense. America demonstrates her commitment to Poland and NATO always meeting her NATO commitments and putting American lives on the lone stationing 10,000 American troops in Poland in addition to the 100,000's of American Soldiers in other NATO countries.
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@duncangreenwood1975 America provided HIMARs which cost over $100 thousand a missile and GLSDBs. Ukraine received its first batch of Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs, a brand new long-range weapon made by Boeing that even the U.S. doesn’t have in its inventory The new bomb, which can travel about 90 miles, is expected to be “a significant capability for Ukraine,” said U.S. officials. Ukraine used Patriot missiles to destroy 7 Russian fighter bombers and a Russian A-50 AWACS plane.
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@tinkerduck1373 I agree it is improving. But depending on one's perspective depends on whether it is good enough. For the UK, Germany and Poland not facing an imminent threat from Russia nor making any significant changes unpopular political decisions, it is good enough. For the Ukrainian Soldiers and civilians, it is too little too late. For Americans, facing an ongoing invasion of over 8 million people and an exploding national debt whose interest payments are now more than she spends on defense, it's a joke.
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@Ata5ll Certainly America's allies need each other and America benefits from its security arrangements with NATO. I agree that President Trump makes comments that have contributed to at least 8 more allies finally meeting the 2% minimum. With an ongoing invasion of America of over 8 million illegals immigrants and an exploding national debt whose interest payments surpassed what we spend on defense, I don't think America can survive such allies more indifferent to America's national security than they have been to their own defense for the past 30 years.
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@kirstinevad347 I seriously compared a cruel, backwards, insignificant North Korean economy with technologically, economic powerhouse Germany & EU who could rapidly produce what Ukraine urgently needs. I was stationed for a year on the DMZ separating . No doubt the EU and the UK awakened to the all to real Russian threat. You are welcome. Honored to serve my country and her allies. Very rewarding to play a part ending the killing in Kosovo and Iraqi. Fulfilling to hear so many Iraqi women express their gratitude to America for giving them a better of life their mother's never dreamed of. Women used the American grants to create their own businesses. More accurate that Speaker Johnson passed a combined aid packages bill last December with $61 billion for Ukraine. Biden threatened to veto Speaker Johnson's bipartisan bill before his democrat colleagues in the US Senate defeated it. Then Biden headed off for a lengthy vacation in the Caribbean. All too often, bipartisanship means a lopsided "compromise" where Republicans compromise their principles and betray their constituents. I visited 9 European countries. Great experience. IncredibIe experience living in Europe and many discussions with the Europeans. No fighting, just passionate debate about critical issues. I support two Ukrainian families that are dear friends still living in Ukraine. After three trips to Ukraine. I would gladly volunteer to fight in Ukraine except my age would make me a liability instead of an asset. I regularly visit the NATO site and listen to Secretary General's press conferences. I especially enjoy listening to Estonia's Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas. She really gave to the Republican Senator on a Munich Security Council panel with her and the Stoltenberg. I get a diverse exposure to the European mindset. Caio!
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@karolinawww6834 Much of what you say is true. Also, true and ignored by the Foreign Minister is those expenditures do not cover a fraction of the trillions of dollars America spent researching & developing these weapon systems and the cost of keeping these defense manufacturing factories running and making up the difference until Poland finally met its 2% GDP spending on defense commitment, only 5 times 2012-2022. While America always fulfilled her commitment spending 6%, $1.573 trillion, 2022, or more of its GDP for all of NATO's 75 years and covered 70% of NATO's financial expenditures, 20 of 31 NATO countries still do not since 2014. Any money Poland spends on these expenditures and will be more than repaid as those 10,000 American troops stationed in Poland pour millions of dollars into the Polish economy through rents, maintenance, local national workers salaries, etc. America will be just fine. You mean Europe won't be safe especially as long as 20 of 31 NATO countries continue to fail to minimally meet their 2% spending commitment and Europe continues to send billions of Euros to Russia in oil/ LNG profits.
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@gnehzeey Very true! Still 500,000 shells that do or 300,000 more than Europe gave Ukraine! I'm sure those Ukrainian Soldiers are feeling the brunt of those shells too. Heard a sobering figure that Russia is producing 25,000 artillery shells a day compared to America's 25,000 a month.
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@karolinawww6834 Europeans and liberal American's tell themselves that lie that America won't be safes if Putin attacks Europe. Amazing, 20 of 31 NATO countries failing to fund their own defense by 2% of GDP and gutting their military forces and manufacturing capabilities does not endanger NATO or America. Those weapons are manufactured in American factories kept running in peacetime as well as war at great expanse to American taxpayers and not covered by these Polish or European contracts or "cost savings" of aid to Ukraine. If military these contracts are so lucrative why did most of Europe gut their defense manufacturing over the past 30 years? This is why Germany can only produce two Leopard 2 tanks a month or about as many tanks as Ukraine can lose in 2 days of fighting.
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@Meatlooaf The challenge is it is difficult to make up quickly the gutted military forces and defense manufacturing capabilities decimated by 30 years of cuts. This is why Russia is manufacturing 3 times the artillery shells of America and Europe combined. Also, why Germany only manufactures three tanks a month.
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@Jonas_Bro Ah, another person afraid of facts. It becomes crystal clear in a discussion when someone has nothing intelligent to say; they begin name calling and attacking the other person's character instead of the points.
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@karolinawww6834 Based on his comments, he must not be listening to those Republican friends.
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@marcinpok4264 I would agree with you but then we would both be wrong. Having worked for two US Army Generals in Europe, 2013-2017, I understand the difference between host nation financial support and the much larger unreimbursed expenses to the American taxpayer. Poland will pay about $300 million for infrastructure like barracks, naval & aerial port improvements, etc. Keep in mind America pours millions of dollars annually into Poland's economy often employing Polish and other local nationals on for utilities, cleaning, shops, maintenance, etc. Poland will pay about $300 million for infrastructure like barracks, naval & aerial port improvements, etc. The largest initiative is $93 million for new Army barracks & dining facility in Powidz, a major aviation and logistical hub for the U.S. military. Other projects include a $35 million rotary wing apron in Powidz, fuel storage and rail improvements in Swietoszow, and aerial port and taxiway upgrades in Wroclaw and $16.2 million to establish a “company operations facility” for U.S. special operations troops doing missions in Lubliniec. Source - Stars and Stripes Poland will recover most if not all its expenditures through the millions of dollars injected into the local economies and Poland assuming control of these bases whenever the American forces withdraw.
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The Polish Foreign Minister is certainly brilliant and a welcome contributor to this critical discussion about supporting Ukraine and the advantages of a strong NATO alliance. Hence his comment about not sending an invoice to America for 2,500 Polish Soldiers going to Afghanistan while 10,000 American Soldiers are stationed in Poland was even more shockingly absurd. Like many Oxford educated, European politicians and American journalists, he calls on America to do more for Ukraine after 75 years of America always meeting her commitment to NATO spending 6% of GDP for defense, covering 70% of NATO's financial expenditures in 2022 and sending $70. He employs that Oxford education and journalist wife's knowledge demand more from America while ignoring those 20 NATO allies, like Germany & France and Poland until recently, failing to spend at least 2% of GDP after committing to do so in 2014. Like the American saying, "You only beat the hardest working horse to get more work done and never the rested, lazy horse." Brilliant! He's a natural for the next President of the EU Parliament.
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@Blanka1100 True. Poland was also spending over 3% in the 1980's and part of 1990 even with the horrible communist economy. Being a super power does not obligate America to pay 6% of its GDP and pay 70% of NATO's financial expenditures too especially when 20 of 31 countries do not meet their obligation. Imagine those same 20 countries not paying their EU taxes or obligations. Big or small, each NATO member has critical obligations. America fulfills an indispensable and extremely lopsided role in NATO, the Middle East and the South China Sea. America keeps those Red Sea sea lanes even more critical to Europe using missiles that cost millions of dollars a piece. America supports Poland stationing 10,000 American Soldiers in Poland and 100,000 more in several other NATO countries. Every NATO nation willingly made commitments to bring critical components necessary for the collective defense and pay their fair share. Poland is doing so now but since joining NATO it has not always done so.
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@walterlatusek69 and leaving out critical numbers like America stationing 10,000 American troops in Poland is even better for Polish businesses and economy compared to 2,500 Polish troops to Afghanistan. While mentioning Poland's paying the highest GDP or 3.49% he does not mention America spent 6% or more of its GDP during NATO's 75 years. I'm grateful for Poland's incredible contributions and the minister's many accurate points. Maybe he can understand the average taxpayer's perspective as America always paid more than her commitment, 6% of GDP, while 20 NATO countries for the past 10 years failed to pay 2%.
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Magicpanties The 2,500 Polish Soldiers were the number of Polish Soldiers sent to Afghanistan annually for 20 years in support of American Combat & Nation Building Operations there. In addition to an American combat aviation and armored brigade, Army leaders and Polish dignitaries lauded the activation of U.S. Army Fifth Corps Forward Headquarters and U.S. Army Garrison Poland at Camp Kosciuszkowas in Poznan. These leaders said the new headquarters in Poland demonstrates allied unity in the midst of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The permanent base and stationing of American Soldiers in Poland is a significant, U.S. military milestone. “The word ‘permanent’ is truly very important, and today that has become a fact,” Poland Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said in March 2023 during the ceremony in Poznan. Camp Kosciuszko sends a signal that the Army is in the area for the long haul. Stars and Stripes article. The hardest working "horses" are also the most exhausted, eventually broken and killed in training or war. I admire the Minister's son. How many other Oxford educated western and Polish leaders children perform military service? I gave 29 years of my life to serving in America's Army in defense of my country and Europe. I did two combat deployments in Albania and then Kosovo to stop the ethnic killings as well as two tours in support of NATO in Germany.
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Poland is a great ally to America. That's why someone as brilliant as the Polish Foreign Minister's making such a shockingly absurd comparison mentioning sending an invoice. Compare Poland's "expense" to sending 2,500 Polish Soldiers to Afghanistan annually with America's annual expense stationing 10,000 Soldiers a year in Poland. For instance, producing a PATRIOT battery costs about $1.1 billion, including $400 million for the system and $690 million for the missiles. This does not include transportation from US to Poland, maintenance, training and Soldier's pay. Like the Foreign Minister, you make absurd comparison while complaining about supporting America in Iraq & Afghanistan. The same time he complains about the delay in sending $61 BILLION in new aid to Ukraine in addition to the previous $70 BILLION already sent. You sound more like our western European allies. Deal! America will face her enemies alone while Poland faces Russia alone during the next Russian invasion. America should free Poland of this lopsided defense alliance removing the 10,000 American Soldiers (2,500 Polish Soldiers annual in Afghanistan) and the American Patriot air defense systems in Poland.
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@dm32904 until they close their borders which they do regularly. They also have a much stricter naturalization process to citizenship. Protections they imply America should not employ as millions of illegal immigrants pour across the southern border.
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@juancayon7531 Including the Polish requests for those 10,000 American Soldiers stationed in Poland.
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@nimmha6708 German people were amazing. Since my great grandparents immigrated from Germany, I felt like I had come home during my 4 years there. You have a beautiful country and amazing people. There were only a few disappointing interactions. Mostly, with a landlord and some movers who stole some things when I moved from Kaiserslautern to Wiesbaden. It was rewarding to see my personal and the US Army efforts blessed many Germans too. Möge Gott Sie und Deutschland segnen. Möge die Partnerschaft zwischen unseren beiden Nationen stärker werden. Tschüss!
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We agree on several points. Allies and Germans imposed restrictions on Germany after WW2. And yet a divided Germany overcoming the devastation of WW2 fielded a 495,000 manned army in the west and a 300,000 manned army in the east and spent over 3% of GDP. Today with the strongest economy in Europe a unified Germany has 183,000 Soldiers. Having used the peace dividends to pursue an aggressive green agenda, higher government pensions and standard of living, Germany produces only 2 tanks a month and only 200,000 artillery shells in its yet constructed new factory. This is the equivalent number of shells Ukraine expended in one month during its counter offensive last summer. Germany agreed on its own to spend 2% on GDP in 2014, but still fails to do so like 19 other NATO allies after 10 years. This is not trying. It's more talk while expecting the American taxpayer to make up the difference after 75 years of always paying 6% of her GDP for defense. T America met her commitments while fight costly wars in support of other allies like the UN mission in Korea and the Gulf War. Imagine any EU country failing to pay its EU taxes or other commitments? Can America trust her European allies to be there in the current conflict with Iran & the Houthi's let alone a conflict with China when it could only deliver 200,000 artillery shells of the 1 million it promised Ukraine? Finland and Sweden are great examples European socialist & environmentally friendly countries did on their own so why can't 28 unified European nations do the same? You are absolutely right the best guarantee of peace is through our collective strength. Like a chain, NATO is only as strong as our weakest link. Right now, there are 20 weak links. Germany, America and the west wisely attempted economic and political engagement with Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nord Stream 1 is understandable but Nord Stream 2 and other EU business with Russia was reckless. Golda Meir wisely said, "You cannot negotiate peace with someone who has come to kill you." Europe not only negotiated peace but paid the money to Russia build the weapon systems responsible for the death and destruction in Ukraine and threatening Europe. President Trump was right about Nord Stream 1 & 2, 2% of GDP for defense, providing lethal aid & military advisors to Ukraine, and confronting Russia. He is mocked and dismissed today by Europe even more than he was during his Presidency. Ironically, President Trump's words already accomplished in the past year what every President since President Eisenhower failed to accomplish in 60 years-8 more NATO allies paying at least 2% and Europe actually planning to defend herself without America. I would call that a brilliant win, win for America, Europe and NATO. Unfortunate it takes such harsh & threatening language but a win is a win.
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I would suggest if you believe what many NATO allies consistently say that America is the indispensable leader and partner of NATO then it makes sense why NATO's enemies would attack America first. Also, while the terrorist attack occurred resulting in NATO, not the US unilaterally, exercised Article 5 after 911 realized that 12 NATO countries's citizens died as a result of the attack. This was an attack against more than one NATO member.
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@Ata5ll So all those Iraqi and Afghani refugees part of the 8 million illegal border crossings went to Europe first? Last time I checked whenever Russia or any other nation floods Europe with refugees, they consistently close their borders and most EU countries have far stricter immigration let along naturalization paths to citizenship than America.
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@Ata5ll Next will hear the liberal rewritten version of history claiming America wanted WW1 & WW@ so those tens of thousands of "toxic males" could die. More than a few European countries more than the UK and the Netherlands should be fighting in the Red Sea to keep those sea lanes open that far more critical to Europe than America. Of course, America wants to fight another war with the Houthis so Europe can get cheaper commerce through the Suez Canal to markets in both directions. The level of ignorance is telling.
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@SalahHaj-br2dy Two truths can be true at the same time: Giving aid is not charity for Ukraine. Giving aid to Ukraine is charity to much of Europe that spent the majority of the past 3 years cutting their defense budgets and defense manufacturing capacity to inflate their government pensions, pursue destructive green agendas and raise the standard of living for their populations. They could always count on the American taxpayer to make up the difference like aid to Ukraine.
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@zegarp 133 civilians from 12 other NATO countries died during the terrorist attacks on 911. It was an attack on all.
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@jakubrj4552 Feel free to do so. Will send an invoice for the 10,000 US Soldiers, including a combat heavy armor and combat aviation brigade permanently stationed in Poland to the 20 NATO countries repeatedly failing to pay their commitment of 2% of GDP. Imagine the same 20 NATO countries failing to pay their taxes to the EU for 10 or more years. When you join an alliance the expectation is you bring something beneficial to the alliance and not just your hand out.
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The Republican led US House passed a combined aid package with $61 billion in new aid to Ukraine last December. President Biden threatened to veto it and his democrat colleagues in the US Senate defeated the bill. You must assume in spite of two years of overwhelming evidence that Biden is not dedicated to a Ukrainian victory in this war.
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This is why Germany's leaders led them to build pipelines to import Russian oil/ LNG sending Russian billions in Euros in profits. Profits that Russia with an economy as big as Spain used to produce the weapons and ammo destroying Ukraine and threatening Europe. Kinda like the blind leading the blind off a cliff.
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@Swiezy45 In 2014 only 3 NATO countries paid the bare minimum of 2% and to date 20 of 31 countries do not pay even 2% of GDP. Germany, the strongest economy in Europe, failed to meet 2%.
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