i dunno what happened, during communist times he had a almost half a million armed forces, 3rd largest in Europe after the Soviet Union and West Germany, and in quality of equipment it was in comparison also on NATO average.
The horror of this is that in the U.S. it was generally known that Poland was a little better equipped and weapons were a little better put together than some of her contemporaries' versions of the same things, but that had it come to a nuclear exchange it is now known that it likely would not have been U.S. nukes raining down on Poland in event of war, but Soviet. Not bashing Russians here, but that scorched earth idea is so burned into their psyche apparently that such was the intent had NATO started rolling towards Russia. One can speculate, but perhaps that is why it is generally accepted that NATO upon knowing nuclear war was imminent, would have made the first strike. If only to reduce the Soviet arsenal prior to the counterstrike. Of course this is all old history.
And this whole American anti-missile missles deal is the same thing, it's only for Americas benefit, to protect America from Iran, North Korea, and above all Russia, it's just making us a target, if Russia nukes us or invades, the 200 man American garison will pack up and leave, leaving us alone, AGAIN.
It's always good not to have to rely on other countries, one never knows what other dirty deals those countries have had to make, and at the very least they will generally look after their own interests first. This is true. That said, the first part of this statement is only true if you think only America would be targeted by those missiles, but in reality you are kidding yourself there...those above countries can reach Europe a lot faster than the U.S., additionally, the US already is fielding versions of this same technology here. However an interceptor launched from a warship off the coast of North Carolina somewhere doesn't help Europe a whole lot....does it? I do not live in Poland, but have seen this same thing happen in the U.S.; people will say "oh this would be a wonderful idea to have" but then they protest that it not be placed in
their back yard, due to the attention it receives.
WRT Russia...it is apparent to me that Russia intends Poland to be its bi...well let's just say Russia seems to feel it should control what Poland does and does not do. This is evidenced by Putin wishing to retarget his missiles toward Poland, for the suggestion of installing interceptors. How childish. It is simple bullying. Obviously his bluff has been called and you know where you stand with Russia. If Russia had a military with much skill they wouldn't be so insecure, I think. They have great equipment, they just need to catch back up to the training level they once had.
The crew of an interceptor base would of course be small...after all it is purely defensive in nature, and honestly the people who would man it likely would be technicians and not shock troops. They will not be arriving (IMHO) with helicopters armed to the teeth and special operations troops, but with computers, engineers, and missile technicians.
If Poland wanted an all out joint base with the U.S. that is something Poland should bring up. I am sure there are quite a few people who would much rather be stationed there than, oh, some of the other places we get sent. Especially if we were welcome.
And hate to tell you, but as for Russia planning to nuke Poland...what's different between that and the old Soviet days? They just admit it now, whereas before it was kept a secret but Poland, Czechoslovakia etc would have been the Soviet Union's "scorched earth" and they no doubt felt they would sacrifice quite a few of you to kill the American tanks that would have been trying to roll through from E. Germany to fight them.
Such was the cold war, but no doubt you knew most of this.
John P.
