@kittennose: I would say that unlike Russia and the USA, Europe for the most part has moved on from the Cold War mindset. The idea that Russia would conquer Europe if the USA withdrew its European bases is far fetched to say the least.
The EU (not even Europe as a whole) dwarfs Russia both economically and population wise. Putin pours money into the military for global prestige reasons to the detriment of more important areas of the nation state, USA as well to a certain extent.
The only thing that would happen if the American military pulled out of Europe is that the USA would be better off economically than it is now.
Economic strength and population mean very little in modern warfare unless it is backed up by already existing forces. Even with the US forces in Europe, Russia is projected to do very well in the opening weeks of a conventional war with NATO. The projected tide would only turn in favor of NATO after almost two months of mobilization, with the US expected to do most of the heavy lifting.
Remove the US from the equation and Eastern Europe crumples like paper. If European buildups only happen afterwards, it is unlikely that Eastern Europe will be retaken militarily. Particularly since the backbone of Europe's economy, Germany, will be Russian Territory.
That also assumes Europe stays united absent US support. With the fall of Germany, that is unlikely.
The EU members combined already have more existing forces than Russia. Also, on what are you basing this idea that Russia could take over europe in a few weeks? Any source at all?
If the EU were taken by surprise and did not have a chance to store supplies they would run out of oil quickly. Without outside help they would be unable to fuel their war machine.
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