“All of this means that despite the attacks from liberal elites regarding Poland’s version of ‘white nationalism’, the nation has legitimate military and domestic reasons for being concerned.”
Poland’s recent birthday celebration, coupled with a large march of Polish nationalists, highlighted the danger and criticism the nation faces from Russia and European elites. 100 years ago, Polish patriots took advantage of Germany’s defeat and declared independence. They were subjugated again during World War II, and then controlled by Russia until 1992. As a result, they are fiercely proud of their newly won independence — over 60,000 people marched chanting slogans and phrases in support of their country. Instead of accurately reporting the dangers that Poland faces, the media saw echoes of Trump’s supposed cheerleading of white nationalism and reacted accordingly.
The media reported white slogans and a supposed Hitler banner at the march. The latter was at least retracted by CNN, but Politico claimed the marches called for racial purity and a white Europe. This argument is particularly nonsensical — the Poles faced discrimination in America and Western Europe during the late 19th century due to not being ‘fully white’. They have a proud history of resisting German operated death camps and fighting both the Nazis and Communists. This liberal fear mongering is not accurate.
The media reported white slogans and a supposed Hitler banner at the march. The latter was at least retracted by CNN
The Polish people, like Americans who want a border wall, aren’t racist for being cognizant of the dangers of unchecked immigration. There is a long list of terrorist attacks from immigrants that justify Polish resistance. Attacks in London, Manchester, Paris, London (again), Nice, New York City and many more, underscore Polish feelings.
On top of this, they are literally on the front line against Russia. The Kalingrad pocket borders Poland. This is former German territory from which they launched attacks against Poland in World War II. Poland is only 90 miles from the border of the Russian ally, Belarus. NATO practiced a maneuver where an American A-10 moved to support forward deployed ground forces in moving through and holding the key Suwalki gap (between Belarus and the Kalingrad pocket) before (re)capturing a key air field in Estonia.
Unlike the South China Sea, where the US has built significant assets including multiple air craft carriers and anti-missile artillery shells, the US and NATO forces are meager in Poland.
But that airfield, and indeed all the Baltics and most of Poland, is within 100 miles of Russian (or Russian allied) territory. In the event of an attack, Russian missiles, anti-air, artillery, cyber units, and soldiers are so close to Polish territory that it would make any NATO counter attacks limited and extremely costly in early stages of any war. NATO would have to build up significant counter forces — in the months it takes to do that, Russia could absorb the Baltic States and make significant headway in Poland.
Unlike the South China Sea, where the US has built significant assets including multiple air craft carriers and anti-missile artillery shells, the US and NATO forces are meager in Poland. NATO countries have, as Britain and America, deployed combat brigades to Poland and the Baltic States. America’s missile defense system was cancelled but restarted by the Trump administration — it will have its first installation in Poland by 2018. This will join an offshore Aegis system. While that sounds impressive, the Russians still have a massive advantage in numbers and training, the United States is trying to catch up.
All of this means that despite the attacks from liberal elites regarding Poland’s version of “white nationalism”, the nation has legitimate military and domestic reasons for being concerned. Like the border wall advocates and national security hawks in America, Poland is attacked for taking responsible steps to protect their country and resist the dictates of elites in other nations.
