Austria closes airspace to US military

[rangerrebew]

Austria closes airspace to US military
Story by Steve Mollman • 1h

Newsweek
Exclusive—Iraq Militia Vows To Strike US Bases If Airspace Used To Hit Iran
Austria has denied the United States permission to use its airspace for military operations related to the war with Iran, citing the country’s long‑standing policy of neutrality.

A spokesperson for Austria’s defense ministry told Newsweek on Thursday: “For reasons of neutrality, Austria refuses overflights and the transit of troops if these would serve to provide military support to a party to any conflicts. If it is known that a military aircraft or military vehicle is directly or indirectly involved in a conflict, overflight or transit will be denied in consultation with the ministry of foreign affairs.”
 

The move places Austria among a growing number of European countries restricting U.S. military access as Washington and Israel continue their campaign against Iran.

Why It Matters
Austria’s decision underscores mounting diplomatic friction between the U.S. and several European partners as the Middle East conflict deepens. While Austria is not a NATO member, its central geographic position in Europe makes its airspace strategically significant for military transit between Western Europe and the Middle East.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/austria-closes-airspace-to-us-military/ar-AA200tFs?ocid=BingNewsSerp

[rangerrebew]

Iraq Militia Vows To Strike US Bases If Airspace Used To Hit Iran

Somehow I suspect this would be a very bad choice for them.

[libertybele]

Well, Trump's warning to our allies and those who refuse to help the U.S. should be taken seriously.  Doubtfully he's not going to waste our money nor our troops when they need our help.

I will be surprised if Trump doesn't withdraw us from NATO. In doing so, he would have to remove our nukes out of other countries -- where would he store them all??

My question is does Trump need Congressional approval to withdraw us from NATO and remove nukes???

[MeganC]

Well, Trump's warning to our allies and those who refuse to help the U.S. should be taken seriously.  Doubtfully he's not going to waste our money nor our troops when they need our help.

I will be surprised if Trump doesn't withdraw us from NATO. In doing so, he would have to remove our nukes out of other countries -- where would he store them all??

My question is does Trump need Congressional approval to withdraw us from NATO and remove nukes???

Austria is neither a member of NATO or an ally of the USA.

[libertybele]

Austria is neither a member of NATO or an ally of the USA.

Thanks for your 'correction' @MeganC   (You are far wiser than I am).

However, does it truly matter? As they headline reads "Austria closes airspace to US military".  The point being that they have shut the door on us.  Though they don't depend on the U.S. (we give them little money in the grand picture) we can easily shut the door on them.  It's a two way street; should they need our help in the future?? Who knows.  Trump will remember their lack of support. 

[MeganC]

Thanks for your 'correction' @MeganC   (You are far wiser than I am).

I know some things but I also know to value wisdom which you have in abundance.

However, does it truly matter? As they headline reads "Austria closes airspace to US military".  The point being that they have shut the door on us.  Though they don't depend on the U.S. (we give them little money in the grand picture) we can easily shut the door on them.  It's a two way street; should they need our help in the future?? Who knows.  Trump will remember their lack of support.

I expect the President to act on this. At the same time what Austria does is different from what our fair weather friends do.

[BobfromWB]

Austria closes airspace to US military
Story by Steve Mollman • 1h

Newsweek
Exclusive—Iraq Militia Vows To Strike US Bases If Airspace Used To Hit Iran
Austria has denied the United States permission to use its airspace for military operations related to the war with Iran, citing the country’s long‑standing policy of neutrality.

A spokesperson for Austria’s defense ministry told Newsweek on Thursday: “For reasons of neutrality, Austria refuses overflights and the transit of troops if these would serve to provide military support to a party to any conflicts. If it is known that a military aircraft or military vehicle is directly or indirectly involved in a conflict, overflight or transit will be denied in consultation with the ministry of foreign affairs.”
 

The move places Austria among a growing number of European countries restricting U.S. military access as Washington and Israel continue their campaign against Iran.

Why It Matters
Austria’s decision underscores mounting diplomatic friction between the U.S. and several European partners as the Middle East conflict deepens. While Austria is not a NATO member, its central geographic position in Europe makes its airspace strategically significant for military transit between Western Europe and the Middle East.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/austria-closes-airspace-to-us-military/ar-AA200tFs?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Another country that made a lot of money selling weapon and nuclear parts to Iran. Makes Putin very happy to see his nemesis falling apart without one Russian casualty.

Europe will be ripe for Russian picking as soon as he finishes off Ukraine ... if he can. Perhaps the Hungarian, Slovakian and Transnistrian armies will be opening a second front with Putin's blessing.

[MeganC]

Another country that made a lot of money selling weapon and nuclear parts to Iran. Makes Putin very happy to see his nemesis falling apart without one Russian casualty.

Europe will be ripe for Russian picking as soon as he finishes off Ukraine ... if he can. Perhaps the Hungarian, Slovakian and Transnistrian armies will be opening a second front with Putin's blessing.

Transnistria is cooked. Ukraine and Moldova put an end to Russian support and in due time the 1500 Russian troops will go home if someone gives them an airplane ride. They are barred from land crossings.

[Timber Rattler]

Very, VERY short-sighted.  I guess the Europeans are grasping the idea that Trump wants out of NATO altogether, and they are handing him the pretext for doing so.

Idiots.

(And yeah, I know that Austria is not a member of NATO but Trump won't know or understand that distinction)

[Kamaji]

Trump will need the agreement of Congress to withdraw from NATO.

[MeganC]

Trump will need the agreement of Congress to withdraw from NATO.

Agreed. 

The Senate must ratify treaties so it follows the Senate must also agree to end them.

[Kamaji]

Agreed. 

The Senate must ratify treaties so it follows the Senate must also agree to end them.

Not so much that, although I do like the thinking.  There is a 2023 federal statute that prevents theUS from leaving NATO without the concurrence of Congress.   

[MeganC]

Not so much that, although I do like the thinking.  There is a 2023 federal statute that prevents theUS from leaving NATO without the concurrence of Congress.

I was unaware of this, thank you! 

[Smokin Joe]

Just cut the funding.

[MeganC]

Just cut the funding.

The more immediate thing the President can do is redeploy all of our troops and forces which are located in countries that are not cooperating with us. This denies these people billions of dollars in military payroll money. There is nothing in the NATO agreement that says we have to have our forces based in any other country.

[BobfromWB]

The more immediate thing the President can do is redeploy all of our troops and forces which are located in countries that are not cooperating with us. This denies these people billions of dollars in military payroll money. There is nothing in the NATO agreement that says we have to have our forces based in any other country.

And with the added benefit that US planes have nowhere to land & nowhere to refuel, putting the Middle East out of range for most planes. And added benefit is US Navy ships no longer have to worry about all those European ports of call.

Europe benefits by not having all the US military personnel spending money in their economies, making everything so much simpler for them.

[Smokin Joe]

And with the added benefit that US planes have nowhere to land & nowhere to refuel, putting the Middle East out of range for most planes. And added benefit is US Navy ships no longer have to worry about all those European ports of call.

Europe benefits by not having all the US military personnel spending money in their economies, making everything so much simpler for them.

Do US Naval vessels do liberty at Austrian ports?

Under current nationally imposed restrictions, we have no place in those countries to operate from now: even the airspace is restricted from our forces flying over it.

Give them something to think about. You will have friends at the bar so long as you are buying.

[catfish1957]

We deficit hawks should be all salivating with all the money we are going to save on NATO.  Hell with the EU and UK. 

And add a boycott of European tourism?   

 

[MeganC]

Do US Naval vessels do liberty at Austrian ports?

Yes. The last time this happened was last year after the ADHU 25 (Adaptive Hussars) military exercise in Hungary. The US Navy or USMC* has a riverine squadron consisting mostly of small boats that visited Austria via the Danube River. The US Navy also maintains a small office presence in Salzburg, I have no idea what they do there.

*The Navy and the Corps can't decide who does riverine patrol duty so this unit keeps changing hands and names every few years and even when it is under the Corps the Navy often commands it.

[Wingnut]

Good old Anschluss.  It's like 1938 again.

[Free Vulcan]

Just cut the funding.

Cue Blondie, One Way Or Another...

[Smokin Joe]

Yes. The last time this happened was last year after the ADHU 25 (Adaptive Hussars) military exercise in Hungary. The US Navy or USMC* has a riverine squadron consisting mostly of small boats that visited Austria via the Danube River. The US Navy also maintains a small office presence in Salzburg, I have no idea what they do there.

*The Navy and the Corps can't decide who does riverine patrol duty so this unit keeps changing hands and names every few years and even when it is under the Corps the Navy often commands it.

Gee whiz. I stand enlightened.

I was thinking of capital ships, not boats.