OH SHIT: Top NATO Commander: U.S. Troops May Be Sent To Eastern Europe

[Cali_Democrat]

PARIS (AP) — NATO's top military commander in Europe, drafting countermoves to the Russian military threat against Ukraine, said Wednesday they could include deployment of American troops to alliance member states in Eastern Europe now feeling at risk.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove told The Associated Press he wouldn't "write off involvement by any nation, to include the United States."

Foreign ministers of the 28-nation alliance have given Breedlove until Tuesday to propose steps to reassure NATO members nearest Russia that other alliance countries have their back.

"Essentially what we are looking at is a package of land, air and maritime measures that would build assurance for our easternmost allies," Breedlove told the AP. "I'm tasked to deliver this by next week. I fully intend to deliver it early."

Asked again if American soldiers might be sent to NATO's front-line states closest to Russia, the four-star U.S. general said, "I would not write off contributions from any nation."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/09/us-troops-eastern-europe_n_5121124.html

[babylonsister]

1. Maybe he's rattling cages, or speaking out of turn. Who knows.

I'll wait to hear it from those actually in charge. And then I'd want to know why.

[PCIntern]

2. As the great man wrote:

Come on all of you big strong men
Uncle Sam needs your help again
Got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam..
Put down your books and pick up a gun
We're all gonna have a lot of fun and it's
One Two Three What are we fighting for?
Don't ask me I don't give a damn....

We just have to change the lyrics a little...

[Jesus Malverde]

3. The missile defense for poland, will bring in millions maybe billions.

Pity the peoples who have to pay for the war machines.

[tammywammy]

7. Poland was already planning on acquiring a missile defense system before this dust up.

It's called Shield of Poland.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Again, it's to NATO countries only, NOT to Ukraine.

Estonia and other countries are nervous and would like some presence, possibly.

[Jesus Malverde]

5. Considering we've expanded NATO into most of the former Soviet Satellites

I'd suggest it's the Russians who are worried at the troops in their back yard.

I love how we freed Poland from the Soviets only to turn it into torture central for the War on Terror.

This is great news for defense contractors supporting the NATO platforms. Pity the peoples of eastern Europe who will be further driven into debt, subservience and poverty for a relic of the cold war.

WOLVERINES!

[TwilightGardener]

8. I'd bet if you asked these countries if they regret joining NATO

as they watch what's happening to Ukraine, they'd probably answer "no". All Putin has to do is stop threatening his neighbors--no one is going to invade Russia, Ukraine isn't going to be a NATO member.

[Jesus Malverde]

12. President Obama decided not to put missiles in Poland.

This fear mongering is trying to change the facts on the grounds and get the Cheney plan for missile defense back on track. You cannot convince people to piss away their future on weapons of war unless they are really scared.

[tammywammy]

13. Poland is purchasing their own missile defense system.

This is not the same as the US installing Patriot batteries in Poland. Poland was already planning on purchasing a missile defense system, it's been in the works for a long time.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. WWI started out with bluster and as a pissing contest.

And, then.......

[AverageJoe90]

10. This isn't 1914, however. More like 1956.....or '68, perhaps.

Yes, I am referring to the Hungarian takeover and the Prague Spring.....because frankly, the Ukrainian situation is far more like these two than any other event.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. What do you compare Crimea and the Eastern Ukraine to? '56 and '68?

[AcertainLiz]

9. I think we should be defending our NATO allies

I'm not against doing this.

[clandestiny]

11. Anytime we're told we're going to kill people in foreign countries

Anytime we're told we're going to kill people in foreign countries for American "interests" it means Corporations, big oil or defense.
We wouldn't like it if china came over and started killing our babies for their corporate interests.

If they were murdering our children here in this country, by all means. Otherwise, We have no business murdering ANYONE over there.

[840high]

14. ...^ that

[TwilightGardener]

15. This is NATO being asked to build more presence in NATO countries in case

Russia gets even stupider. This is not us killing foreigners for oil or anything else. It's a defense treaty action only, in the event of Russian aggression.

[clandestiny]

16. Oh yes NATO has been very fair in the past... See Iraq and weapons

of mass destruction. They sure held the US accountable for that one eh?

[TwilightGardener]

17. What country is NATO invading? I'm not getting you.

[NuclearDem]

19. Is NATO bombing Ukraine?

Or is this just the obligatory tu quoque argument that comes up every time someone says something remotely unflattering about Russia?

[AnalystInParadise]

20. Exactly which troops is he talking about

Two Combat Brigades left in Europe, one an Airborne/Light Infantry Brigade, the other a Stryker Cavalry Brigade, neither with the Armored punch to intimidate the Russians. What bullshit.