Europeans leaders worry Trump wants to fulfill promise to bring American troops home

[rjhenn]

why do we need all these troops in Germany? eastern Europe would have us put all our troops there -
does anyone think Russia is going to move on Poland? /Romania?

and why is Congress ONCE AGAIN interfering in foreign policy? They should stick to do nothingness

Putin would definitely move anywhere he doesn't expect serious opposition, as demonstrated by his actions in Crimea. He wants to create a new Russian empire, with himself as the heroic head.

 

[rjhenn]

Exactly. Why do these people think Russia is going to attack somebody?

Crimea is one good reason.

 

[rjhenn]

it's a question of balancing out NATO for a defensive force vs. "encirclement" of Russia ( NATO expansion)

NATO as a defensive alliance is fantastic - when it becomes a geopolitical push against Russia "just because"
is when NATO loses it's core mission, and becomes antagonistic - increasing the chance for hostilities

NATO never has been, and cannot be, an "encirclement" of Russia. Its expansion is due to Eastern European fear of Russia. Well-deserved fear.

 

[rjhenn]

Russia issues nuclear threat over Crimea and Baltic States

April 3, 2015
Russia has threatened to use nuclear force against the United States and its Nato allies over Crimea and the Baltic States, in a stark warning reportedly issued by Moscow's envoys to their counterparts earlier this month.

At a closed-door bilateral meeting held in Germany in mid-March, the Kremlin's emissaries cautioned that any Western attempt to return Crimea to Ukraine will be met with force.
. . .

The first message reported was that, after its annexation last year, Crimea was now part of the Russian Federation and any attempt by Nato to win it back for Ukraine would be considered a direct attack against Russia.

As such, it "will be responded to forcefully, including through the use of nuclear force," the document read. "In this type of scenario, the United States should also understand it would also be at risk."

The Russians also used Cold War-era language to suggest that, despite their Nato membership, Moscow considered Baltic states no different from Ukraine, as they are home to a minority Russian ethnic population, which the Kremlin claims is being discriminated against.

The Russian delegation said that "the same conditions that existed in Ukraine and caused Russia to take action there" were also currently present in the three small countries off its western border.

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/russia-issues-nuclear-threat-over-crimea-baltic-states-1494675

As I've stated elsewhere, the Crimean situation and Putin's attitude are quite reminiscent of the Sudetenland in 1938.

 

[rjhenn]

Russia is re-iterating Crimea is now part of Russia ( referendum/annexation) and will be defended as Russian soil.
Including by any and all means needed,,nothing new here- NATO has the same mutual defense policy

NATO hasn't forcefully annexed any foreign territory.

 

[rjhenn]

Crimea was put to a vote. It's historic Russian The Crimean referendum passed easily

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_status_referendum,_2014
Crimean status referendum, 2014. A controversial referendum on the status of Crimea was held on March 16, 2014, by the legislature of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and by the local government of Sevastopol (both subdivisions of Ukraine). ... The referendum is not internationally recognized by most countries.

Has there ever been a legitimate popular vote under Putin?

 

[rjhenn]

occupation of Germany?? lol


it's Congressional overreach into POTUS role as commander and[sic] chief.
Congress can't do it's legislative functions -but meddles in a POTUS purview

According to the Constitution, whatever the President does in terms of foreign policy is to be accomplished "with the Advice and Consent of the Senate". And that's "Commander in Chief", of the military, not of the nation.

 

[rjhenn]

they were. but NATO is always in the background,Georgia is still looking for membership if I recall (?)

Basically, Russia invaded Georgia. Again, much like the situation in the Sudetenland. Putin is looking for excuses to expand Russian territory.

 

[Jack]

"Kievan Rus' (Old East Slavic: Рѹ́сь (Rus'), Рѹ́сьскаѧ землѧ (Rus'skaya zemlya), Latin: Rus(s)ia, Ruscia, Ruzzia, Rut(h)enia,[2][3]) was a loose federation[4] of East Slavic tribes in Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th century,[5] under the reign of the Rurik dynasty. The modern peoples of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine all claim Kievan Rus' as their cultural ancestors,[6] with Belarus and Russia deriving their names from it."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kievan_Rus'

"Cultural Ancestors".
Russia and Ukraine have a shared history, just because the Central Government changes hands from time to time doesn't alter this fact.

 

[Rune]

Stupid motherfucker.
Georgia is right on the border of Russia,and stratles 2 continents.
Having NATO right up Putin's ass would be like having a Russian alliance in Quebec. No superpower can stand that.

Also what about Article 5? are we prepared to go into Georgia if Russia goes into Georgia again?
Do you want to risk a war over that?

Ignorant fool

Stratles?



Shut up, ignorant child.

Imagine, it would be like if Poland were a NATO member.