Pentagon Preparing for Combat with Russia

From talks to troops, the U.S. is trying to change its policy. For more than a decade, America has attempted to engage Russia in talks to forge a partnership. Russian policy makers have rebuked attempt after attempt, citing domineering and hypocritical American attitudes. However, as Russia continues to move into Ukraine and maintains the annexation of Crimea, America has paired with NATO to stop these acts of aggression.

A combination of stagnating peace talks, unchecked Russian expansion and competing world views has led to an increase in NATO troops throughout Eastern Europe. According to American and allied officials, a preliminary proposal has been presented by the pentagon to store additional tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and heavy weapons for 5,000 American troops. This equipment would be stored in several Baltic states that are members of NATO.

This proposal is far from official. Requiring additional approval from the Defense Secretary and the White House, this aggressive move has extensive vetting to pass. Additionally, many of the specific logistics are also up in the air.

According to a Pentagon spokesman,

“At this time, we have made no decision about if or when to move to this equipment.”

Further details from the spokesman were documented by the New York Times,

“As the proposal stands now, a company’s worth of equipment – enough for about 150 soldiers – would be stored in each of the three Baltic nations: Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Enough for a company or possibly a battalion – about 750 troops – would be located in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and possibly Hungary…”

NATO allies are dubious of these suggested steps. Many are weary that this will only antagonize Moscow further, providing Putin with additional justification for aggression. On the other hand, the transfer of military equipment would prove to be a valued and comforting gesture for many Eastern European countries under Putin’s thumb. Another benefit of the equipment shipment would be an enhanced level of preparedness. Strategically placing supplies throughout Eastern Europe, “saves the United States Army time, money and resources, and avoids having to ship the equipment back and forth to the United States each time an Army unit travels to Europe to train.”

In 2004, NATO accepted the Baltic states into the alliance. For the past three-plus years, these allies have constantly requested financial and military assistance to hold off Russian expansion. Almost entirely dependent on Russian energy, these countries have been caught in a quagmire the West has, for the most part, disregarded. In storing additional military equipment in these countries, America and its allies are sending a message rather than saving money. While the United States has constantly insisted that the positioning of troops in Eastern Europe is solely for training purposes, not many, including the Russians, buy this justification.

At no point since the cold war has America or NATO taken such drastic actions against Russia; this clearly marks a moment of crystallization. With Putin going nowhere and Russia becoming more financially desperate by the moment, tensions are unlikely to subside anytime soon. With the need to protect allies and warn Russia, this move is deliberate politicking by the Pentagon.

According to Mark Galeotti, a professor at New York University,

“This is essentially about politics. This is about telling Russia that you’re getting closer to a real red line.”

In response to the proposal, Putin said,

“I think that only an insane person and only in a dream can imagine that Russia would suddenly attack NATO. I think some countries are simply taking advantage of people’s fears with regard to Russia.”