Russia wouldn't dare take on NATO. Do you think the USAREUR Commander's stand against Mr Putin is on target?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 23:24:25 -0400

I agree with the USAREUR Commander's direct method in addressing the threat and being public - early and like the fact that he said "They don't want a military confrontation with NATO" publicly, and he means it. What do you think, is he showing his hand, or is the move and statements spot on? I think he is spot on by letting his action speak! I strong defense is the surest way to peace.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2015/04/18/US-commander-Russia-wouldnt-dare-take-on-NATO/ [login to see] 989/

U.S. commander: Russia wouldn't dare take on NATO

The U.S. Army's leader in Europe says NATO must stand united to oppose Russian aggression, as Washington moves live missiles to the former Eastern Bloc region.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 11:27 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 23:27:36 -0400

I agree. A show of strength would put Putin in his place. Russia is not the war power it used to be. He doesn't want to go up against NATO

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Apr 19 at 2015 12:01 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 00:01:12 -0400

I agree, rush is billy bad ass there is no doudt about it, but russia's military is old, they dont even have a single amphib ship, against all of nato they'd get wiped off the map, PROVIDED combat does not have vietnam era restrictions on where we can and cant go after them.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 19 at 2015 12:06 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 00:06:26 -0400

Russia (USSR and today) like China, are paper tigers, and all about saber rattling. Russia wants so badly to be a player on the world stage, and that ship has sailed...

My concern, however CSM Michael J. Uhlig is NATO... The NATO mantra is "an attack against one, is an attack against all", but on 12 Sep 2001, that did not seem to be the case...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 12:12 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 00:12:00 -0400

Russia is a bunch of POGs. Only thing they're good for is funny crash compilation videos on YouTube.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 19 at 2015 12:20 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 00:20:30 -0400

I typed a phonebook and then the internet went down! I will now completely paraphrase....
don't mess with NATO. The problem is that NATO has become Britain and us, unless their pocket books might be in jeopardy. Russia has the combat power to take the best of what all the old country has to offer, but taking on NATO will be a nightmare for all of us. Good thing they don't need the OH-58D or A-10 anymore. Geez.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 19 at 2015 12:27 AM

SPC Angel Guma — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 00:27:08 -0400

I have no doubt the real military men of NATO, including but not limited to US soldiers, would be more than a match for Russia's military. And inwardly, the Russians know that we can more than adequately savage them in battle. But, few countries have taken on the Russians and not come out bloodied. Only the Mongols and for a brief time the Nazis have successfully taken and held territory in Russia. This historical fact counts for a lot too and is not lost with NATO.

I will say this though, when Russians commit to a fight, they commit to a fight. When the Russian Army moves, its under one national command. An American division can probably take on 2 or even 3 Russian divisions adequately, but within the context of NATO, we will be much slower to act. We need to understand this. If all these NATO allies had the same unifying vigor as one unit, Putin would realize he's bitten off more than he can chew, but when he sees the American military downsizing and leaving Afghanistan, the British military on the down and out at a record pace, the French are still fair weather fans at best and traitors at worst, the Germans have lost their militarism a long time ago, and these tiny little European statelets with utterly nothing militarily on the table, he knows that NATO countries at any one time are busy squabbling amongst themselves and wondering who will pick up the tab.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 19 at 2015 1:05 AM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 01:05:40 -0400

Being direct is the only way in my mind. Russia has no problem issuing direct threats, and now is not the time to be wishy washy with them. Surely Putin knows that he can't match the full force of Nato war power...heck, I don't think he would last long against the US, but I think Putin would tell you different. Time to stand up and play hard ball. I think LTG Hodges got it right.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 1:19 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 01:19:05 -0400

I would have to agree. Lets put the cards on the table.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 1:59 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 01:59:14 -0400

I agree SSG James J. Palmer IV but this president is disarming the military and while doing that is taking on a psycho. He has to focus and not worry about all the social programs that are sidetracking us a nation. Putin is not afraid of Obama but our military.

Response by Sgt Anthony Prince made Apr 19 at 2015 2:25 AM

Sgt Anthony Prince — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 02:25:05 -0400

Putin has taken advances through Ukrainian territory with little outside interference. This action is the same tactic that Germany used before the outbreak of World War 2, and European nations have still not been very good at curbing any such threats alone.
Don't get me wrong, sanctions are working, but that just makes them deal with less ideal organizations throughout the world, such as those keen on our destruction.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Apr 19 at 2015 2:47 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 02:47:26 -0400

I honestly do not think any big power is stupid enough to challenge other powers. We're all just flexing muscle in the end.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 4:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 04:04:26 -0400

Sometimes in life you have to just tell it like it is.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 9:16 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 09:16:28 -0400

I like his approach. Vladimir Putin is a bully; he always has been. The only difference now is, he is a bully on an international level. Whether it's an elementary school playground or the Ukraine, the only effective way to deal with a bully is to stand up to him, look him square in the eye, and call him out on his misconduct; the bully will fold 99% of the time. As for that remaining 1%, that's where the clinched fist you've kept ready at your side now comes into play, since reason has failed, an ass-kicking may now be necessary!

Response by CW3 Guy Snodgrass made Apr 20 at 2015 7:51 AM

CW3 Guy Snodgrass — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 07:51:32 -0400

I'm also cautious IRT NATO. They aren't exactly known as the "bad boys in town" and waffle more then a weeble in my opinion. I agree we need to have a united NATO, I also believe we should make sure we watch our "six".

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 9:24 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 09:24:34 -0400

I think he is doing the right thing. I wonder if we would be in the same shape we are currently if the warning had been as public about ISIS/L back when the draw down was declared?

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Apr 20 at 2015 11:23 AM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 11:23:26 -0400

I like it. Clearly Putin is not a man who responds to diplomatic niceties.

Response by PO1 Dustin Adams made Apr 20 at 2015 12:04 PM

PO1 Dustin Adams — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 12:04:16 -0400

It comes down to political/national will power. Russia has it, Putin may be a bully but he is a smart one and Russia is progressing in their expansion plans despite international outcry. Simply because he has the will power to risk it where the metal meets the meat. Make no mistake that the current Russian forces are much better off in both training and technology than the USSR forces ever where, however they would not be able to stand up to a full NATO response IF NATO had the fortitude to stand up to Russia.
Russia went into Georgia, President Bush had the fortitude and will power to back them down and force them to withdraw. Putin has changed the strategy a little bit in the invasion of the Ukraine but the biggest difference is the response or lack there of, primarily from the US.
We (the US and NATO) easily have the ability to force Russia to back down and withdraw but there is an underlying apathy of will and lack of fortitude to do so.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 1:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 01:49:32 -0400

I think the USAEUR Commander is grossly over estimating NATO. After seeing NATO operate first hand, through several different operations across the years, I can tell you the US Army will them on the battle front while NATO is still developing .ppt presentations on What and Why NATO should do. That would be followed by Germany, France, and Italians fighting for defense contracts as before anyone deploys.

I think this whole thing is over escalated. NATO and EU expansion to Russia's door step has them a little on edge. And, they have a right to be. Every Western European empire in the past 500-600 years aimed to conquer Russia too. That is why in the yalta and subsequent talks Russia pressed to hold on to the occupied lands it had. They want a Buffer

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 17 at 2017 9:35 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 21:35:22 -0400

The Russians could come with a few million men and air superiority isn't a sure thing. NATO is a sham

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 21 at 2017 11:46 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 23:46:59 -0400

No one is afraid of NATO, they haven't modernized and their standing Armies suck