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2005-05-10 Home Front: Politix

Pentagon Criticized for Overseas Base-Closing Plan

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Posted by Steve 2005-05-10 8:38:04 AM|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 "a Germany-based heavy combat brigade... would provide a hedge against unexpected future security threats in the European region"
Germany is welcome to let the EU take over the base after we leave. I'm sure they'd welcome the protection of a French heavy combat brigade. Or maybe the Belgians could step in -- the French voters aren't so sure about this EU deal.

Posted by Tom 2005-05-10 08:52|| 2005-05-10 08:52|| Front Page Top

#2 If the Western Europeans won't finance their own defense after handholding by the US Treasury for 50 years, then we can work with who ever takes over as we dealt with the Soviets for the same amount of time. The Atlantic is still a better defensive position than the Elbe ever was.

Posted by Jomolet Glaque2594 2005-05-10 09:59|| 2005-05-10 09:59|| Front Page Top

#3 I criticize the pentagon on their overseas base-closing plan. They ain't doin' it fast enough.

Fook the damn EU and let them grow up and provide their own damn defence. I'm tired of holding hands and helping supposed allies and getting stabbed in the back during and afterwords, then getting bitched at for not helping sooner and/or enough.

Posted by mmurray821 2005-05-10 10:16|| 2005-05-10 10:16|| Front Page Top

#4 This would provide a hedge against unexpected future security threats in the European region, demonstrate commitment to NATO, and show U.S. resolve in the Balkans.

Heavy combat brigades have to be transported. What if a nation that must be traversed declines or delays (as did Austria some time back)?

Posted by Pappy 2005-05-10 11:29|| 2005-05-10 11:29|| Front Page Top

#5 The Overseas Basing Commission said the moves were being planned without sufficient coordination with affected countries..

What's there to coordinate? The places we don't need to be in, we should get out of. That is all.

This would provide a hedge against unexpected future security threats in the European region, demonstrate commitment to NATO, and show U.S. resolve in the Balkans. "We further decrease our presence in NATO only at risk of lessening our influence in Europe."

Are these guys kidding? Look, if the EU is going to be the heavy lifter that it wishes to be, then they need to take care of problems in their own backyard. That includes the Balkans and any "future security threat". As for NATO, the old Soviet Union is gone. If some sort of loose alliance can be kept, fine, but NATO's usefulness as it currently stands is subject to question.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2005-05-10 11:51|| 2005-05-10 11:51|| Front Page Top

#6 They could have saved a lot of words if they'd just told us right up front whose ox is being gored. (or whose bribe is being cut)

No need for all the rest of that mumbo-jumbo.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2005-05-10 12:31|| 2005-05-10 12:31|| Front Page Top

#7 Index
A
B
C:
Coordination
"The Overseas Basing Commission said the moves were being planned without sufficient coordination with affected countries or synchronization with other security activities and needs..."

Cross reference: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Turkish denial of territorial use and our "allies" indifference to our coordination and security "needs". Also see "Americans Who Don't Give a F*** Anymore".

Posted by jules 187 2005-05-10 16:13|| 2005-05-10 16:13|| Front Page Top

#8 French heavy combat brigade

How many white flags does a heavy brigade have?

Posted by Brett 2005-05-10 16:59|| 2005-05-10 16:59|| Front Page Top

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