USA, Canada /
What do the Poles hate and love about the U.S.? [170]
I keep hearing this rationale, but fail to recognize how this is some big gift to America.
It was a massive gift at a time when America was struggling for support. Go away and count how many countries actually participated in the invasion of Iraq, then you'll see how desperate America was for support.
First of all, one would have to assume that this war is entirely in America's interest and has nothing to do with the security of others, meaning that terrorism along with the threat of nuclear weapons would not affect other countries in Asia, Europe, etc. in the future if these terrorist groups were left alone.
Ah, America, saving the world! I mean, America's economy wasn't massively boosted by the Iraq war and it was solely to protect the world, wasn't it? And the oil?
I don't want to argue reasons for going/staying in the middle east to fight wars, but you are in fact making the assumption that the only country that benefits from defeating world terrorism is America.....so every country fighting in this war deserves some sort of present for being there.
Poland gained nothing from fighting in Iraq, except combat experience. Terrorism? Last time I checked, Poland wasn't really top of a list to blow up.
I'm sure you aren't suggesting that just Poland deserves something, right?
No, I'm suggesting that the Polish leaders were useless and failed to agree a deal that they would participate in the war in exchange for the visa waiver scheme entry. Given that America was actively bribing smaller nations to declare their support, Poland was idiotic not to hold out for something that would actively improve the life of Polish people.
If the war in the middle east ends up protecting other countries from say a nuclear attack, would those countries then owe Poland for sending troops to Iraq/Afghanistan?
Iraq had nuclear capability? Only in the minds of Bush.
You mention NATO as a "bargaining chip".....does "NATO" stand for "The Organization of Protecting ONLY America"? One could argue all day long whether or not NATO is worth the money or how poorly it's run, but in the end NATO is an alliance for protecting its neighbors in time of need. Why would America then be obliged to give Poland some sort of present for joining? Sorry to say buddy, but America gains very little with Poland on their side regarding national security compared to what Poland has to gain.
America gained quite a lot - strategically, Poland is in central Europe and allows America to get their troops quite a bit closer to Moscow. From a purely military point of view, America needed Poland. It used to be conventional wisdom that in the event of World War 3, Europe had probably just enough to hold out until the decision was made to start nuclear war - but now? Advantage NATO.
Funnily enough, where was America when the Falklands Islands were invaded? NATO has serious flaws, not least because many members don't believe that America will actually assist in a time of need.
an abysmal military if attacked by any bordering countries? check.
Abysmal? The Polish military isn't too bad these days. The decision to buy F16's over Eurofighters was bizzare, but that was just another attempt to suck up to America for reasons that confuse me.
