WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Pentagon is considering deploying heavy weapons, F-22 fighter jets and additional ground forces to Europe to counter a rising Russia, according to recent media reports.
“My understanding is that we [the United States] are talking about armor and mechanized equipment for a company-sized element in each of the Baltic States… intended more to solidify the tripwire purpose [against Russia] of US military presence,” Woodrow Wilson Center scholar Michael Kofman said.
Kofman explained that these US policies are primarily aimed to reassure NATO flank member states, including Poland, Romania and the Baltic countries, as well as to deter any Russian plans to undermine the NATO alliance.
“They signal to Russia that the United States is committed to the security of these countries, and no attempts should be made at provocation or to test whether these [NATO] security guarantees are genuine.”
St. John’s University Professor of Government David Kearn told Sputnik that the US deploying combat teams, tanks or artillery to Europe is a tripwire strategy to signal that Russian forces on the ground or in the air would suffer casualties if they advanced.
“Having B-2s in the United Kingdom or moving F-22s to NATO airbases should remind Moscow that if something happens, the most effective and lethal US air assets are available, so don't do anything provocative,” Kearn added.
Clearly Russia, Kearn argued, would have a large local advantage and can always move more tanks, artillery, men and close air support to overcome virtually any US military aid in the Baltic region.
Executive Intelligence Review weekly Senior Editor Jeff Steinberg told Sputnik that the American tripwire strategy is the same policy that was used at the height of the Cold War.
“It creates a tripwire by putting US personnel, whether they are active duty military guards and maintenance teams or contractors, on the border.”
From a strictly military standpoint, Steinberg argued, this forward deployment of US military assets is of no consequence, but could still exacerbate an already tense situation.
“The forward basing of American battle tanks, fighting vehicles, APCs [Armored Personnel Carriers] and artillery batteries at this moment is nothing short of a direct provocation and should be immediately called off.”
Independent Institute Director Ivan Eland also told Sputnik that US maneuvers in Europe are primarily about deterrence, especially given Russia’s local superiority in forces.
“These forces are symbolic to deter Russia from further action. They would be inadequate to defend these nations if a war with Russia broke out.”
US authorities are reportedly considering deploying missiles to Europe to counter Russia’s alleged violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. Russian officials have pointed out that US missile defense launchers stationed in Poland and Romania are violations of the INF treaty.
