Even with China the main priority for America's military, America needs to--and can afford to--reinforce Europe.
Lord knows I'm not the first to jump up and defend Biden. But these complaints made a couple weeks ago about American planned deployments to Europe are off base.
Unfortunately, [while the corps headquarters and additional American Army brigade are good,] President Joe Biden's other pledges are seriously misguided. These include an increase in the number of Navy destroyers stationed in Spain from four to six, the deployment of two additional F-35 squadrons to Britain, and the stationing of additional air defense units in Germany and Italy.
A couple F-35 squadrons will pose a great threat to Russian air defenses and lines of supply. And additional Army air defense systems are needed in Europe to protect prepositioned equipment and bases for NATO reinforcements flowing in to the east.
We are far away. Our reinforcements have a long way to go to get to eastern Europe. And even European forces would have to battle through Russian air and missile strikes. We need to defend these lines of communication and supply.
And keep in mind that the air defense asset going to Italy is part of the unit going to Germany. So just one unit.
Two squadrons and a single air defense unit are not depriving INDOPACOM of assets. There are limited bases in the Pacific for Army and Air Force assets to battle China. They are crowded enough already.
Also, two missile defense destroyers had best not be the difference between victory and defeat in the Pacific. One, they are needed in Europe for mobile missile defense. Two, they can sail to the Pacific if needed.
As to the NATO 2% of GDP goal being undermined by these small American deployments, Russia's bloody and war crimes-filled invasion of Ukraine killed that worry.
Technically NATO states have until 2024 to meet that goal. It is true that some--perhaps most--won't make that deadline. But the trend is going up. Russia's invasion will accelerate that. I don't think America will be left holding the line even though American forces are critical to knitting NATO's combat power together.
America must not lose Europe. And a relatively modest American commitment can help Europeans hold it.
NOTE: My most recent war coverage is here.
