The Suwaki Gap - Poland's finger in the dyke for peace

"This century and before, Poland has gone from doormat, who has been conquered many times, to one of the strongest and most prepared countries in the world. They are as tough as nails, and they are not done yet in modernizing and bolstering their army. Poland loves us and loves Trump. And - they hate Putin. That is a very good combination in these troubled times." 

Oh boy! Things are starting to get very interesting now in Eastern Europe. Should Russia ever decide to make a play for one of the NATO countries, chances are the Suwalki Gap will come into play. Some might not know what the Suwalki Gap is - quite simply, it is one of the most strategically important areas in all of Europe. It is a small corridor which stretches between northern Poland and fellow NATO country Lithuania. On one side of the gap is Russian territory Kaliningrad, and on the other side is Russian ally Belarus. Get the picture? A real tinderbox it is.

I have addressed this issue of Poland before. It is quickly becoming the powerhouse of Europe. Germany, whose territory backs up Poland, is trying to catch up with their military spending. And what Poland really wants right now, to put the final piece to the puzzle, is for the United States to establish a military base in northeastern Poland. How bad do they want it? They have offered to pay for most of it. Now that - is an offer!

We are not at war as yet, but that being said, Poland has made the area around the Gap looking like we are expecting Russian tanks at any minute. The US may be trying to reduce its footprint in Euro NATO, but Poland is not. This "hybrid war" may be going on, and incursions over Poland airspace may be continuing, but Poland has not responded to Russia - yet. If they ever did, it would be the start of the next Euro (or world) war. Truthfully? If push came to shove, and it was ONLY Poland fighting the Russians, I would bet the house on Poland.

But here is the real fact which is on the table. All Poland needed to do, was fortify the Suwalki Gap so it is tighter than a drum. That would or should deter Russia from doing something very foolish. However, should Putin ever decide to test the resolve of Poland, he will be met with 32 of our brand-new F-35 fighter jets. And that is just a small fraction of what Poland has in their armory. 

This century and before, Poland has gone from doormat, who has been conquered many times, to one of the strongest and most prepared countries in the world. They are as tough as nails, and they are not done yet in modernizing and bolstering their army. Poland loves us and loves Trump. And - they hate Putin. That is a very good combination in these troubled times.