The Büchel military base in southern Germany where many think that US tactical nuclear weapons are stored. DPA
IBTimes: US Nuclear Weapons In Germany: Russia Concerned By American Plans To Add To Stockpile
Russia is concerned about U.S. plans to modernize and station additional nuclear weapons in Germany, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who spoke with a German TV channel Tuesday. The channel had reported earlier in the day that the U.S. planned to station 20 nuclear weapons in the European country, as per a line in the 2015 U.S. defense budget.
"We are concerned that these states actually have nuclear weapons as part of the framework of NATO's nuclear sharing program," said Zakharova in an interview with Germany’s ZDF television, according to Russian news site Sputnik.
WNU Editor: In the whole scheme of things modernizing 20 nuclear weapons is just a drop in the ocean. But why Russia is concerned is that these weapons are in Germany. I cannot explain it .... just take what I say as fact .... but Russians have never liked or felt comfortable that such weapons are in Germany. It is because of history .... yes. Memories are long, and the fear in Russia is primarily a fear of Germany .... and nuclear weapons just amplifies that fear.
Russia Raises Concerns On U.S. Plans To Upgrade Its Nuclear Weapons In Germany
US to bring in new advanced nuclear bombs to Germany – report -- RT
US plans for upgrading nuclear weapons in Germany alarm Russia — foreign ministry -- TASS
US Plans to Modernize Nukes in Germany Cause Concern to Russia -- Sputnik
U.S. Will Station New Nuclear Weapons in Germany Against Russia -- Global Research
Keep bickering while ISIS gets stronger is not a good strategy. For those who feel ISIS has spent its momentum the refugee issue is revealing. Their strategy when attacking a town was to have its members infiltrate the town and be ready to act on cue. The refugee plight is the same thing more or less but the powers that be seem to have ignored past lessons.
ReplyDeleteAs to why Russia is upset about this, my first thought was Russia is planning an attack and want their enemy to be in the weakest position possible, however, what you propose as to Russia's past experience with Germany definitely has some validity.
ReplyDeleteA few days ago you linked to war games scenarios in which the US and its "allies" lost every time. Actually they really didn't need to "war game" this as I could have very easily told them the outcome. In the same vein, there is no reason to run "simulations" of what is going to happen if one jumps off of a 10 story building onto the pavement without any kind of parachute. We already know the outcome of such a decision. Time and money running simulations are not needed as they are not needed running simulations of war games with Russia as the outcome, in Europe at least is already known, and there is no amount of investment we can make in the foreseeable future that is going to change this.
This is true IF the war game scenarios are to be believed, as I believe they are. Also, it may or may not be true of a war game scenario between the US and Russia say in the Caribean or closer to US territory where the US could get men and materials to the battlefield faster.
Since it seems rather obvious that there is no doubt Russia has a huge edge in Europe, they have nothing to fear from a conventional attack. As such, the only real potential to thrwart an attack by Russia would be to have a strong enough nuclear deterent to neutralize Russia's vast conventional edge. They'd
have nothing to fear from nuclear weapons in Germany if they weren't planning an attack or so it would seem to me but your analysis of the prior history between the countries as a reason for this reaction does seem plausible.
If the reason you suggest is the reason, hopefully we can find someway to come to an understanding with the Russians. This may require new leadership on the American side.
Bob,
ReplyDelete"Their strategy when attacking a town was to have its members infiltrate the town and be ready to act on cue. The refugee plight is the same thing more or less but the powers that be seem to have ignored past lessons."
Yeah, it's as old as the hills and still works.