Poland Begins to Fortify the New Iron Curtain

[Hoodat]

Poland Begins to Fortify the New Iron Curtain

Chels Michta  |  July 8, 2022

The country is making enormous investments in defense and will soon become one of Europe’s pre-eminent land powers.

As the war in Ukraine – now in its fifth month – becomes a grinding battle of attrition, a new geostrategic realignment along NATO’s Eastern Flank is in full view: a fault line has emerged, running north-south, from Scandinavia and the Baltics down through Poland and into Romania and Bulgaria.

In this reconfigured Europe, Poland is the hub of NATO’s effort to assist Ukraine, serving as the principal transit route for equipment and ammunition shipments to Ukraine, and providing a key route for Ukrainian grain exports to its Baltic ports, like Gdansk.

Poland is also the principal entry point for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war (estimates put the number of Ukrainians that have entered Poland at close to 3.5 million). And in terms of sheer numbers, it is the largest European provider of equipment and ammunition to the Ukrainian military. Its shipment of at least 240 upgraded T-72 tanks and an additional 50 Krab 155mm self-propelled howitzers on top of the 18 units already provided are just the most prominent examples of the scope of Warsaw’s military assistance to its neighbor. 

But Poland’s increased prominence in NATO rests on more than its contribution to Ukraine’s war effort. It has now become the key military power on NATO’s Eastern Flank, a frontline state akin to West Germany during the Cold War. The Polish military is being restructured and expanded into Europe’s largest land force, with a target of 400,000 troops from the current 150,000. The country has also committed to buying large volumes of American weapons, including 32 of the F-35 fifth generation combat aircraft and 250 of the most advanced version of the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks. It is also finalizing a deal to buy 500 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers. In short, Polish rearmament dwarfs the potential of other allies along the flank.  .  .

https://cepa.org/poland-begins-to-fortify-the-new-iron-curtain/

[Kamaji]

Poland clearly does not want a replay of the 1930s.

[jafo2010]

Putin is using the Hitler playbook.  Glaringly so!  But the huge difference between Putin and Hitler is one fundamental fact.  Hitler was 50 years of age when he attacked Poland.  Putin is 69 years of age. Hitler went on and conducted war on the world for 5.5 years before he was defeated.  I do not see Putin getting 5.5 years to wreck havoc on the world.  At best, he has another year. 

When the Russian people begin to understand the truth of what is going on in Ukraine, I envision them rising up and removing Putin from power.  One year down the road, somewhere between 80, - 100,000 Russian troops will be dead.  And for what exactly?  Nothing.

Putin claims he invaded Ukraine to protect people of Russian ancestry.  Bullsh*t!  He has a long and proven history of not caring for the people living in Russia, let alone people of Russian ancestry in other countries.  After the sinking and loss of the crew from the Kursk, he did not care.  When terrorists seized a school in Beslan, he did not care.  In a concert hall, again terrorists, and again a couple hundred Russians died needlessly.  He did not care.  80, - 100,000 sons of Russia dead and for what objective?  There is none.  He made a huge miscalculation, and he cannot win. 

And as for the nations of Europe, the time has come for them to defend their own nations.  I am tired of the USA being the primary means Europe defends itself.  What Putin has proven is that Russia is a paper tiger.  Europe need not fear Russia if they remain united.