"U.S. Fortifying Europe’s East to Deter Putin" Topic

"President Obama plans to substantially increase the deployment of heavy weapons, armored vehicles and other equipment to NATO countries in Central and Eastern Europe, a move that administration officials said was aimed at deterring Russia from further aggression in the region.

The White House plans to pay for the additional weapons and equipment with a budget request of more than $3.4 USD billion for military spending in Europe in 2017, several officials said Monday, more than quadrupling the current budget of $789 USD million. The weapons and equipment will be used by American and NATO forces, ensuring that the alliance can maintain a full armored combat brigade in the region at all times.

Though Russia's military activity has quieted in eastern Ukraine in recent months, Moscow continues to maintain a presence there, working with pro-Russian local forces. Administration officials said the additional NATO forces were calculated to send a signal to President Vladimir V. Putin that the West remained deeply suspicious of his motives in the region…"
Full article here
link

A few thousand troops and and a few tanks is not going to make a difference in the defense posture of Eastern Europe …. and it will certainly not change Moscow's agenda.

Amicalement
Armand

Yes, saw that on CNN … So the "New" Cold War gets "colder" …

Europe needs to protect themselves quit relying on the US

Time for the EU to pony up for their own defense, or learn to speak Russian.

Deter from what?
Cheap gas?
Invasion of byoung barbarians atacking women?
Imposing Orthodoxy?

Good old times for some, so comfy, and so much safe biz for others, trying to bring them back.

We are defending the eastern side of Europe with a US Armored brigade and that is going to stop the Russians for how long? Seriously, we have 120 M1's and 60 Bradley's and we think that is a door stop. It is a speed bump at best. As Ashokmarine and Mak011 have said, it is time for the EU to step up and do more. They are a joke right now for defense spending.

Why would the Russians invade any one west? To have more vilas on the Costa del sol?
Occupy Poland for ex? What for? With reluctant 100000 one year service conscripts?

Because western Europe is such a striving place, they'd want to take…

No ideology like in the 30still 50s, nothing to take but problems, the people of Russia have no wish ( did they ever had?) to conqueer any one.

Putin does not have the assets for a "push" into Western Europe let alone to the Channel. And as pointed out they have no real reason.

Many NATO allies may see Putin's "adventurism" may be a threat to them. After many having downsized so severely. The UK can't field another BAOR, the Dutch have mothballed all their MBTs last I heard. And they have 3 Inf Bdes that would be attached to the Germans. And I'm sure there are similar situations across the board.

Newer NATO members like Poland get real "fidgety" with Putin being so close to their borders. And sabre rattling, etc. …
In the end I think it more geo-political theater. The US has let things go a bit too far out of control in many places on the globe. Putin and Daesh, AQ, etc., are taking full advantage of the US/West's failures, miscalculations, etc. Things have gone so far "South". That it seems anything that is done to stem the tsunami has little affect. Like plugging the rip in the hull of the Titanic with toilet paper … sadly … A Not So Brave New World … at least for the West.

I suppose $3.4 USD billion is a small price to pay to allay the fears of our European allies of any potential aggression on the part of Mr. Putin.

Funny of sorts how from the Russian side, they think Nato is a threat of sort, having moved eastward to encircle them since the fall of ссср.

As far as I can see, they are 90% like " us" nowadays, except the American
" culture" ( music / mcdonalds ++) have not so deeply penetrated the place. For rx when they do have music from US it is often translated/ adapted.

Strong national feeling/ tradition/ pride; no problem with the millions of caucasians wanting to change the way of life. If they'd even wanted to.
A very different feel from EU.
Btw their soldiers can, and are proud to, walk in the streets in uni. Forbidden for French for fear of attacks.

Why would Putin threaten the West?…

Historically, when a dictator wants to control his people and distract them from serious internal problems, repression, a worsening economy, accept belt-tightening measures, ect.; he creates a conflict with his neighbors, especially over national pride.

Unfortunately, consequences of brinksmanship often gets out of control.

"Why would Putin threaten the West?".

Yep, because oil and mineral markets are crashing, and Russia is a major player in the minerals business, so a lot of people are going to be out of work, soon, in addition to the oil workers.

He needs a distraction.

NATO and the US aren't really threats to Russia, either.

If we were, we would have crushed them before they got "the bomb".

Putin is not a dictator. Living in Russia has nothing close to what I could have read ( fortunately so far not experienced..yet) about a dictatorship.

They have much more than just oil/ gaz though it hurts ( mostly public incomes as it was the main revenue for the state-) hence the very EU like perceptible slide towards more taxes.

"I suppose $3.40 USD USD billion is a small price to pay to allay the fears of our European allies of any potential aggression on the part of Mr. Putin.
"

As we know, America is the #1 economy. If it cut down its military expenditure (highest by far in the world) would it remain so? I suppose what I am asking is, how much of Americas prosperity is driven by the defence sector?

Like most economies in the world … the US's is not as strong as it should be or prefers. That being said, it's better off than many/most if not all others.