IRMO Brief 08/2018, "Poland, US bases and geopolitical games"

Introduction

Recent Polish proposal for financing permanent US military presence in Poland isn't motivated only to counter current Russian aggressive posture. This offer is a part of a wider Poland strategy for achieving long term security. In pursuing this strategy, Warsaw risks not only to undermine NATO cohesion, but also to deepen growing East-West divide inside the EU.
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Polish proposal and NATO
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On 28th May Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak confirmed ongoing negotiations with the United States for setting up permanent US military presence in Poland. In a published proposal Warsaw offered significant financial and material support (between 1,5 and 2 billion USD) for building a
joint infrastructure for permanent deployment of a US armored division. Warsaw also offered to insure more flexible movement of US forces on its territory. In Polish view, a permanent American military presence in Poland would significantly reduce security vulnerabilities in the region, particularly
regarding so called Suwalki Gap.

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