Congratulations to Polish officer Cadet #BartoszSzumowski, for his selection to attend the 4-year program at the prestigious U.S. Military Academy #USMA at @WestPoint_USMA. The myriad examples of 🇺🇸🇵🇱bonds include special 🇵🇱🇺🇸 ties at West Point. That’s why it’s so great to see 🇵🇱cadets present in West Point’s Corps of Cadets, both in 4-year programs, and many other 🇵🇱cadets on semester exchanges. Cadet Szumski underwent an arduous process competing against dozens of cadets to earn this highly-sought-after seat. He is a 2nd-year cadet of Cryptology/Cybersecurity at 🇵🇱’s Military University of Technology. In an international military setting, the sharing of knowledge is a two-way street. Cadet Szumski’s background will serve him well at West Point where programs are expanding to prepare officers for the rapid changes/challenges in Cyber, AI and emerging technologies. Importantly, Cadet Szumski will be able to share his own knowledge with fellow 🇺🇸 and other international cadets. Upon graduation in 2030, Cadet Szumski will join an elite club of 13 🇵🇱officers who have since 1992, attended and succeeded at the challenging military, academic and physical rigors at WestPoint. But that’s not all. West Point’s curriculum is underpinned by moral and civic education. As Gen Steve Gilland, West Point’s Superintendent underlines, ‘the USMA’s central goal is to ensure development of good moral character, as the foundation of an officer’s education.’ Gen Gilland recently emphasized this at the Kosciuszko Conference at West Point. The annual Kosciuszko Conference is organized by the Association of the American Friends of Kosciuszko at West Point #AAFKWP. It honors the vital contributions to 🇺🇸Independence of 🇵🇱🇺🇸🇱🇹hero Gen #TadeuszKosciuszko and his legacy. Gen Kosciuszko and his contemporary 🇵🇱Gen #KazimierzPulaski, make outsized contributions helping Gen #GeorgeWashington to win 🇺🇸’s Independence. Pulaski saves Washington’s life and the Army at the #BattleOfBrandywine. He is the “Father of the American Cavalry,” and willingly lays down his life for America’s Cause at the #BattleOfSavannah. Meanwhile, Gen Kosciuszko engineers the stunning defeat of the British at the #BattleOfSaratoga, a game-changer,” convincing France to join the side of America, which proves decisive, to 🇺🇸’s ultimate victory. Kosciuszko is called on to engineer numerous defenses for the 🇺🇸Army. His most remarkable work is the unassailable defensive system he orchestrates at West Point, including deployment of the “Great Chain,” - the “Kosciuszko Chain.” Kosciuszko’s interlocking network of fortifications at West Point is a master-stroke. It blocks the British northern and southern fleets from mutually supporting each other. It continues to be studied for its innovations, and the lessons it teaches about deterrence (something the U.S.-led Western Alliance must reboot globally). It is Gen Kosciuszko who recommends to his close friend #ThomasJefferson, that 🇺🇸 establish a military academy to train and educate officers in the science of warfare and democratic principles. That becomes the USMA at West Point. Besides the annual conference in his name, and a prominent monument, West Point also has the #KosciuszkoSquadron #KS, a cadet club made up of 🇺🇸 and 🇵🇱 cadets which Cadet Szumski can join. The KS engages on 🇵🇱History/Culture while fostering Kosciuszko’s lasting legacy of the strong 🇵🇱🇺🇸Alliance. In his doctoral work, 🇵🇱Gen #TomaszKowalik (West Point Class-1999), demonstrates that West Point is superior to all others. That’s fantastic news for Cadet Szumski, who has a tough and rewarding four years ahead. His attendance is great for Poland and America, and is both symbolic, and a practical demonstration of the vital 250-year special friendship and unbreakable bonds of Poland and America. #PolishAmericanAlliance250 #ForYourFreedomAndOurs #FYFAO #PolandLithuaniaUSA #PLUS #ForwardDefense #ThreeSeasInitiative *photo 2, slide, Professor James S. Pula

Excellent analysis from the dynamic-duo over at @FDD @MarkCMontgomery @PeterBDoran, Five Crucial War-Lessons for Europe. This underlines the massive opportunity America/Poland have before them. Building a smaller yet almost twin version of the 🇺🇸military, and with a fervent commitment to 🇺🇸/freedom, Poland can be America’s near-peer 🇺🇸Ally in Europe. That’s why 🇺🇸#ForwardDefense anchored in Poland, is the key to ensuring Poland gets there, and rapidly, including in #JADO #JointAllDomainOperations capabilities. This bolsters America’s strategy of #PeaceThroughStrength and is 🇺🇸/🇵🇱First. Article Excerpt: “Instead, Israel has demonstrated the value of going to war with a friend that can hit just as hard as the United States, is properly equipped with well-integrated systems and munitions, and has the willingness to fight. It is a model that European capitals must apply right now.” nationalinterest.org/feature…

In Katowice, Poles mark the #KatynMassacre, organized by #AndrzejSznajder, and his Katowice Branch of the Institute of National Rememberamce #IPN @ipngovpl_eng 86 years ago, per #JosephStalin’s personally signed order, nearly 22,000 Polish officers and members of intelligentsia are brutally and methodically executed by SovietRussia at Katyn, Kharkiv and Mednoye. Each year, solemn memorial events for the victims of Katyn take place across Poland. Around the world, members of Poland’s diaspora also organize Katyn memorial events including in America, Ukraine the UK, Australia and more. What’s the offense that drives the Russians to carry out such heinous war crimes and atrocities? Basically, “Being Polish” is the crime of these 22,000 victims. Today it’s important to remember, that Russia continues genocidal behavior, currently against Ukraine. And, if given the chance, Russia will repeat Katyn over and over, against Ukraine, Poland and Allies up and down NATO’s EasternFlank. That’s why it’s so crucial to ensure Russia is defeated in Ukraine. Allies must tighten the economic noose around the Kremlin, and give Ukraine everything it needs to defeat Russia. Allies must significantly upgrade defenses across NATO. And, Western NATO Allies, must follow through on their commitment to bolster #ForwardDefense in Poland, Romania and along the rest of NATO’s EasternFlank. katowice.ipn.gov.pl/pl3/aktu… #ForYourFreedomAndOurs #FYFAO

Thread 4/4 TTA سے کوئی بھی بات چیت TTP کی “ریوالونگ ڈور” تھیوری کو دوبارہ زندہ کر دے گی۔ کوئی سمجھوتہ نہیں! فارورڈ ڈیفنس ہی پاکستان کی بقا ہے۔ 🤲 اللہ پاکستان کی حفاظت کرے سرحد محفوظ، ملک محفوظ، عوام محفوظ! #GhazabLilHaq #PakistanFirst #ForwardDefense #IMCTC

The latest #ForwardDefense issue briefs, by experts Paul Amato and @KingstonAReif, examine a critical question: how should the US nuclear force be sized amid rising threats from China, Russia, and rogue states? Read the competing perspectives here: atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth…

#KingOfBattle, #Airborne! The storied @173rdAbnBde is a crucial forward-deployed capability for American forces. A 911-unit, the 173rd is always ready, and strategically positioned as America’s Europe-based High-Readiness Airborne Force. It should be no surprise that the 173rd ABN has a long-standing vital Allied-partnership with Poland’s - also storied - 6th Airborne “General Sosabowski” Brigade @_6BPD_ In 2014 when 🇺🇸 responds to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with #OperationAtlanticResolve #OAR the first nation we deploy to is Poland, with the 173rd ABN, which after it hits the ground, immediately links up and begins training/operational-coordination with its allied-partner 🇵🇱’s 6th ABN. Among its growing “multi-domain” war-fighting capabilities, Poland is a significant 🇺🇸artillery Ally, rapidly increasing artillery forces, working closely with @USArmyEURAF and #NATOAllies in artillery training/exercises. At 🇺🇸’s request, Poland joined the important #ASCA group, to enhance artillery interoperability and automated fire control. Poland always plays a key role in multiple Allied-artillery exercises including the massive 🇺🇸-led “Fires” Exercise #DYNAMICFRONT - with 🇵🇱 often serving as a host. At the request of 🇺🇸Army, Poland is expanding its maneuver and artillery training complexes. Poland operates/is acquiring dozens of 🇺🇸Army HIMARS, the #USAArmy’s state-of-the-art #LongRangePrecisionRocket Artillery system. As well, 🇵🇱 is upgrading its artillery force structure, and modernizing tubed-artillery capabilities including production of Poland’s own 155mm #SelfPropelled artillery - the #KRAB. Btw, besides fighter jets, air defense, and hundreds of tanks, Poland has given Ukraine a dozen, or more brand new KRAB systems. That says a lot about Poland’s commitment to Ukraine, America and to NATO. Per the 2020 🇺🇸 🇵🇱 #EnhancedDefenseAgreement #EDCA signed by President Trump and President Duda, Poland is not only improving training areas, but as well, infrastructure at multiple bases to host and support deployed 🇺🇸forces. When it comes to long term “Forward -deployed” 🇺🇸 forces in Europe, there’s no better Ally than Poland. 🇵🇱 is ready and willing to host and work with American forces to move to “the next level” together in #JointAllDomainOperations #JADO capabilities. JADO is 🇺🇸’s rapidly developing new war-fighting doctrine, which Poland has fully adopted and to which it seeks to train on closely with 🇺🇸. To understand JADO in practice, look no further than 🇺🇸‘s recent #Operation #AbsoluteResolve in Venezuela, and current Operation #EpicFury in Iran. A key lesson drawn already in EpicFury is just how crucial it is to have such a high-end-Ally in Israel, and its #IDF for America to operate alongside. When it comes to Allied-operations in Europe, 🇺🇸 has with Poland its future IDF-like force. America does not have to do it all. But, limited permanent force commitments remain vital to USA global deterrence, power projection and stability. This is part and parcel to 🇺🇸’s strategy of #PeaceThroughStrength. Besides developing Poland as a future IDF-capable force, permanent assignment of the right mix of 🇺🇸 forces to Poland, will encourage other Allies to do more to bolster NATO #ForwardDefense. At the end of the day, there is no better Ally for 🇺🇸 forces to train and defend with, and no better location to prepare for “future war,” than in Poland. As Poles say for centuries, “We Fight #ForYourFreedomAndOurs” #FYFAO

Should the United States extend New START limits on its nuclear arsenal? A new issue brief from the #ForwardDefense program written by Greg Weaver outlines a vision for US nuclear strategy and force sizing post-New START. Read the issue brief here: atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth…

3/3 (19) Poland continues being a strong voice at NATO, urging Western Allies to make good on their commitments to bolster #ForwardDefense on NATO's #EastFlank. (20) U.S. forces continue rotational deployments to Poland, while Poland makes significant base infrastructure upgrades to host/support 🇺🇸troops, per the U.S.-Poland #EnhancedDefenseCooperationAgreement #EDCA signed in 2020 by President Trump and President Duda. It's time btw, for permanent-basing of American forces in Poland, to which there is massive bipartisan support for, in Poland. Why? Because the right size and capabilities of 🇺🇸 forces assigned to Poland is both #AmericaFirst and #PolandFirst (America’s best Ally in Europe). (21) Though a frontline Ally itself, with its own major security concerns, Poland steps-up responding to NATO's call to bolster ForwardDefense. In this regard Poland continuously rotates its own military forces to bolster deterrence and defense in Latvia and Romania. (22) Warsaw shoulders a massive burden to defend the homeland, and NATO’s EastFlank. Poland leads all of NATO (including the U.S.) in per-GDP defense spending. Poland has done the hard work preparing for this moment calculating that If Ukraine falls, Poland is next. From 2017, Poland increases its financial potential, tackling VAT mafias and VAT loopholes while growing the economy. This sets the stage for Poland to be able to ramp up defense modernization with unprecedented defense expenditures. (23) Poland reboots a Land Forces Corps capability and adds a maneuver division. Now with four total divisions, Poland has three more operational divisions than the UK (which 🇺🇸 considers for decades, as our most important Ally). Poland establishes a significant Territorial Defense Force #WOT, and is establishing two more reserve divisions. In total, Poland is increasing to a 300,000-500,000 member Army, eventually the largest, or second largest Allied-Army in Europe. (24) Poland and Ukraine work closely together on #AirMissileDefense #AMD, defending their skies, and NATO air space. (25) Poland hosts/organizes, and now leads NATO’s Center for Lessons Learned for Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine. This is a key training hub which will help 🇺🇸/NATO rapidly adapt to the modern battlefield. It will spur the doctrine and weapons innovations for future warfare. Being close to this hub, is another reason why American military presence in Poland is so important. (26) President Duda/Poland convince the vital regional #ThreeSeasInitiative #3SI group to bring Ukraine aboard, and Ukraine is now a 3SI Associate member. This is important for several reasons chief of which is ensuring NATO has the right transport and energy infrastructure to support sustained military operations all along NATO’s EastFlank. The 3SI group should make Ukraine a full member as soon as possible. (27) The above is only a short list. Poland has done much more. While peace negotiations continue, Poland continues to stand for a strong sovereign, independent and secure Ukraine. 🇵🇱🇺🇦 Poland’s centuries-old motto is indicative of its support to Ukraine, 🇺🇸/NATO and the West, “We Fight #ForYourFreedomAndOurs" #FYFAO

📅 November 6 | 🕙11:00 am ET How does Congress shape US defense policy and what can we expect for the next year? Join @ACScowcroft for an #ACFrontPage and Commanders Series fireside chat with @RepAdamSmith to learn more, sponsored by @Saab. #ForwardDefense Register in-person and online here ➡️ atlanticcouncil.org/event/re…

🗓️ TOMORROW | 🕒 4:00 p.m. ET Join the @AtlanticCouncil's #ForwardDefense for a discussion with @Samsung's Cordell Hull, RENK America’s Ian Pain, and @AcutecAerospace's Elisabeth Smith, on how leaders are strengthening supply chain resilience for aerospace and defense. Register ➡️ bit.ly/3X43cgR

Packing 1000 pounds of high-explosive ordnance with a ~2500 kilometer range, the #TomahawkLandAttackMissile #TLAM system, is one of the most lethal and longest range weapons in 🇺🇸’s arsenal. If transferred to Kyiv, the Kremlin would be cognizant of the fact that a Tomahawk could be fired from anywhere in Ukraine, and still be able to reach Moscow. Tomahawks are tightly controlled weapons, and America provides them only to her closest Allies. Thus, a transfer of Tomahawks to Ukraine means much more than a significant new capability. It would demonstrate where America “is,”regarding its relationship with Ukraine, and ergo, with Russia. With Russia, in the last few years, deploying long range precision weapons “forward” to Belarus, to its Kaliningrad exclave, and inside of Russia, America should also consider transfer of Tomahawks to Finland, Poland and Romania - that would be a major USA boost to European #ForwardDefense which NATO committed to in 2022.

We’re hiring! The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security is seeking a Director to lead #ForwardDefense, the Council’s home for innovative thinking on the future of defense. Learn more and apply here: bit.ly/3Wejovz

Is the US ready to challenge Russia and China? Not in hypersonics. Join @AtlanticCouncil’s #ForwardDefense on October 9 at 3 p.m. ET for a critical conversation with @RepMessmer, @DonaldNorcross, @HONDeborahJames, & other experts to discuss the Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force's final report. 📅 RSVP: atlanticcouncil.org/event/th…

17 Sept 1939, 86 years ago today, SovietRussia gladly joins the ongoing melee ignited by Germany against Poland. Poland must face down more than 100 German and Russian divisions, thousands of enemy tanks, and fighter and bomber aircraft. Though Poland has defense pacts with the UK and France, these unfortunately, only manifest in “words, not deeds.” By 1939, Poland has only had the brief interwar period of independence, to reestablish the state, economy and an Army, previously suborned partly, then completely for ~150 years by Russian, Prussian/German and Austrio/Hungarian empires. Thus, though Poland is acquitting itself well against the Germans (hoping just to hang on for Allied support), when the Russians invade, the “writing is on the wall.” After the brutal dual invasion of 2,200,000,000 German/Russian troops, Poland will be subjected to 50 years of brutal German Russian, then German and finally, Russian occupations (it’s hard to keep track). Today, Russia’s appetite for an “empire reboot,” remains unchanged as it continues its brutal war on Ukraine (since 2014). Russia’s actions on Ukraine feature many of its centuries-old “tried and true” methods used against Poland (1) invasions; (2) target/terrorize civilians, (2) massacres (3) coerce, rig elections, occupy and annex. Few seem to fully grasp that Russia’s current war just escalated to an entirely new level. Russia has conducted the first cross-border attack on Poland since WWII. It’s an unquestionable attack against NATO territory (not just an incursion, or another “boring” airspace violation as this is often described). NATO continues saying “we will defend every inch of Alliance territory.” It’s time to make good on that by (1) establishing a NATO No-fly-zone over non-contested Ukraine; (2) NATO must follow-through with its commitment to #ForwardDefense on its #EasternFront; (3) USA/EU must implement/enforce sanctions meant to crush the Russian war-machine; (4) NATO must officially shred the NATO-Russia Founding Act (which limits Allied forward military presence east of Berlin); (5) Allies must consistently Arm Ukraine to the teeth, lifting all weapons limitations on Kyiv; (6) NATO must upgrade Baltic and Black Sea regional “Air-Policing” missions to #AirMissileDefense #AMD missions with armed aircraft, and strong rules of engagement; (7) 🇺🇸/EU must seize the $300, 000,000,000 in frozen Russian assets in Western banks to support Ukraine; (8) NATO must stop operation of Russia’s Shadow-Fleet; (9) USA/EU/NATO must rapidly develop an Alliance-wide defense-industry approach to counter drone, and offensive drone production (ie, a moon-shot type development to help Ukraine, and to defend Allies). There’s no way to look at Russia today, without comparing it to its behavior in 1939. As Poles say, “We Fight #ForYourFreedomAndOurs”

In Sept 1939, Thanks to German-SovietRussian collusion codified in the #MolotovRibbentropPact, Poland faces 100 German and SovietRussian divisions alone. Though Poland fights valiantly in the #1939DefenseOfPolandCampaign, her 🇬🇧🇫🇷 Allies do not respond. Poland’s fate is sealed. She is overwhelmed, subdued and brutally occupied by two totalitarian states Germany and SovietRussia. During WWII, per capita, Poland suffers more than any nation, with nearly 20% of the population killed. ~6,000,000 Poles perish during WWII (3,000,000 are Polish-Jews). An additional 3,000,000 Jews are killed from across Europe by the Germans (mostly at Extermination Centers in German-occupied Poland). Germany perpetrates the Holocaust mostly in Poland, with the plan to also cause a genocide on Catholic Poles. Germany’s goal (like Russia with Ukraine today) is for Poland and its memory to be forever extinguished. Poland is murdered, physically and culturally raped, its infrastructure and economy destroyed. Estimates are that Germany’s WWII causes 60,000,000 to perish (some estimates are even higher) and that during Stalin’s reign, 20,000,000 will die (some estimates even higher). There is a 1939 parallel of Germany/Russia, today in the China-Russia “No-Limits” Partnership. Unlike the German-Russian secret protocol of 1939, today, Russia and China barely mask their plans. It’s high time to learn the lesson of 1939; Poland has done so, along with many other nations on NATO’s eastern flank. That’s not enough though, the Transatlantic Alliance must recall these lessons and act. As Gen (retired) #PhilipBreedlove, former NATO SACEUR often says, “Putin does not stop until we stop Putin.” Until Putin really wants to negotiate, 1) Arm Ukraine to the teeth, and remove all weapons-use restrictions. 2) Pass and implement new US sanctions on Russia (and really enforce existing sanctions). 3) Stop the operation of Russia’s illegal Shadow Fleet. 4) Seize ~$300B in Russian frozen assets in Western banks to support Ukraine. 5) Officially tell Russia that the defunct (thanks to Russia) #NATORussiaFoundingAct #NRFA ceases to exist. 6) Organize strong #NATO or #CoalitionOfTheWilling #COTW security guarantees for #Ukraine. 7) Follow through on NATO’s strong commitment to #ForwardDefense including full-time permanently assigned western-Allied NATO Brigades in, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. 8a) While the US must focus on the Indo-Pacific, it must consider in the Pentagon’s ongoing force posture review, the importance of the continued positioning of the right mix of 🇺🇸 forces in Europe. 8b) The right combination of US forces particularly assigned to Poland, are a major “force-Multiplier,” as Poland fields $60,000,000,000 in 🇺🇸equipment, and strives to become Europe’s military powerhouse. 8c) 🇺🇸 force presence in Poland, daily training and integrating 🇺🇸 kit with Poland’s Armed Forces, while simultaneously adapting doctrine to lessons from Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine, is how Poland rapidly becomes Europe’s military leader. This sets the example for the rest of Europe to get on the same path. Thats “America / Poland First” and if the rest of Europe acts, “Europe First.” It’s the right way to achieve President Trump/America’s imperative of #PeaceThroughStrength.

The Formation, Combat record and Heroism of “Anders’ Army” (🇵🇱’s 2nd Corps), is a masterful achievement in Leadership & Undaunted Courage by Gen #WładysławAnders and his officers/men!  We are very proud to be friends of Captain U.S. Army (retired) Krzysztof “Kris” Flizak, known as the “Youngest Soldier of General Anders Army.” Kris is a decorated veteran of Poland and America. When just 8 years old in 1940, the Russians deport Kris and his mother to the inhuman Siberian wastelands of SovietRussia. They are separated from Kris’s father, who the Russians deport in 1939. They are among ~1,000,000 Poles exiled and enslaved by Stalin, deep inside SovietRussia.  Tens of thousands of Poles do not survive including nearly 23,000 Polish officers/intelligentsia slaughtered by the Russians at the #KatynMassacre. Kris survives. When Kris learns that Gen Anders is organizing a 🇵🇱Army, he answers the call. Kris decides to serve Poland, knowing that if his father is alive, that he will surely also find his way to Anders’-Army forming in now “allied,” SovietRussia. Just 10 years old, Kris embarks alone, on a perilous odyssey to join Gen Anders and to find his father. Miraculously, he accomplishes both missions and escapes Russia’s brutalities to serve with Gen Anders’ 2 Corps fighting with the Western Allies. After wartime service for his homeland🇵🇱, and her Allies, Kris eventually makes his way to America. There he becomes a decorated combat veteran serving with the 101st Airborne Division, the @101stAASLTDIV #ScreamingEagles. During bitter fighting against communist forces in Korea, Kris is seriously wounded and spends months in hospital, serving his new homeland 🇺🇸. Kris survives. He builds a new life in America, but never forgets his dear homeland Poland, which after WWII, falls under SovietRussian control. Kris likes to be known as an “🇺🇸Soldier with a 🇵🇱Heart!” Excellent short interview of Kris at the 80th Anniversary of the Polish-led Allied victory at #MonteCassino tvpworld.com/77626201/younge… Kris’s story is one of family, forced exile, endurance, and of fighting to be free, in the face of brutal totalitarian forces. It might be said that Kris is a “metaphor” for Poland for most of the last ~250 years. Today, Poland is free, but a new war is next door on Poland/NATO’s border. Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and very survival. Russia is committing atrocities and war crimes against Ukraine, not seen since WWII. Russia is targeting and terrorizing Ukrainian civilians. ~20,000 Ukrainian children are kidnapped by the Russians - sound familiar? It does to Poles. Russia is repeating its centuries-old penchant for imperial domination and control. 🇺🇸/Europe stand for Freedom, and must do everything possible to help Ukraine remain free and sovereign, by defeating Russia. 🇺🇸/Europe must help to stop Russia in Ukraine, or see the security situation deteriorate further in Europe and around the globe. In 2008 in Tbilisi, Poland’s President #LechKaczyński warns about Russia’s march towards “rebooting” its empire. He says, “Today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after tomorrow the Baltic States, and later perhaps it is time for my country, for Poland.” President Kaczyński is proven right regarding Georgia and Ukraine, and we can see with our own eyes Russia’s mounting threats - including nuclear threats - and hybrid-warfare attacks on Moldova, the Baltic States, Poland, Romania and others. 🇺🇸/NATO are waking up, but they must move with a sense of urgency, understanding that Russia is not just at War with Ukraine, but with 🇺🇸/Europe/West. NATO’s SECGEN Rutte recently framed this perfectly saying, “We are all on NATO’s EastFlank now.” These are great words, which need to drive NATO Allies to action, with much more speed and alacrity. As Poles say, it’s #ForYourFreedomAndOurs #FYFAO #ForwardDefense #ThreeSeasInitiative #3SI

233 years ago at the #BattleOfZieleńce, Poland🇵🇱 delivers a stunning defeat to the invading Russian Army. The imperial ambitions of Russia then, remain unchanged today. This lesson seems yet unlearned by many. If it is not fully understood, today’s revisionist-Russia is assured to continue invading sovereign neighbors - including NATO Allies - followed by more “frozen conflicts,” and/or annexations and subjugations. Unfortunately today, many either forget this history, or ignore it in spite of what Russia says, and continues to do in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. And, in spite of what Russia continues to do in threatening nuclear attack, and in conducting hybrid warfare against NATO. The parallels then, with Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine today are clear. Russia fears a strong independent Ukraine integrated with Europe/West next door. For Russia, a democratic thriving Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, or even Belarus are threats to the Kremlin’s own internal control of Russian society. Russia itself is already on the precipice of further post-Soviet-era disintegration. Putin seeks to forestall this for as long as possible and he reasons that subsuming Ukraine is vital to this end. When the Polish Sejm passes the Constitution of the 3rd of May 1791, the absolute power of the king is abolished. Poland frees the serfs and gives citizens unprecedented freedoms envied by peoples across Europe. Poland’s is the first democratic Constitution in Europe, and the second in the world after 🇺🇸‘s Constitution (from which Poland’s is largely inspired). These shocking democratic developments strike fear into the hearts of the Russian, Austrian and Prussian empires. They fear that freedom in Poland will infect their own subjects and cause their monarchies to collapse. They conspire, invade and eventually erase Poland off the map of Europe. Today, this remains Putin’s goal with Ukraine - erase and subjugate. After the Battle of Zieleńce, Prince Jozef Poniatowski, commander of Polish forces (nephew of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski), convinces the King to honor the bravest soldiers of the battle with a medal. King Poniatowski establishes the Order of the Virtuti Militari (VM) - Military Virtue. It’s presented for the highest level of valor and gallantry in combat. It’s the first military award of its kind in the world. There are only a few remaining WWII-era Poles, who bear the VM. They and their Polish brothers and sisters fought against German and SovietRussian invasions and brutal occupations, as Ukraine fights against Russia today. The Battle of Zieleńce fought on June 18, 1792 is the first of many for the #PolishLithuanianCommonwealth #PLC against Russia, defending 🇵🇱’s “game-changing” Constitution and newfound freedoms. The PLC will win some battles, but lose the “war” eventually being erased from European maps for 123 years. That’s why today, Poland more than any other nation understands what’s at stake in Ukraine. That’s why Poland so fervently supports Ukraine and urges 🇺🇸/Europe to do the same. The timeless lesson of imperial Russia must be understood. There’s a NATO Summit at The Hague later this month, to which NATO must commit to and urgently act upon: (1) Supporting the freedom and sovereignty of Ukraine as if the freedom of the West depends on it (as it does); (2) Spending 5% GDP on defense; (3) Quickly implementing long discussed plans for strong #ForwardDefense (Defense by Denial) on NATO’s Eastern Flank; (4) Getting on a war-footing with military forces and society - “Total Defense,” including a “moon-shot” effort to rebuild Europe’s defense industrial base. #ForYourFreedomAndOurs #FYFAO #PLUS #SlavaUkraini #ThreeSeasInitiative

6/End The upcoming NATO Summit at "The Hague," must not underwhelm (as recent post-summit actions have done). NATO must avoid another Summit "long on declarations," and short on action. Allies must act on (1) significant increases to defense spending; (2) strong, credible #ForwardDefense/MDO posture on NATO's EasternFront (while precision is vital, mass still matters) and, (3) getting national defense industries on a war-footing. p.s. NATO should adopt - and live - a new slogan. Here again, Poles lead by example. When considering the continuing unpreparedness to deter and defend against Russia, NATO should adopt - and demonstrate - what the Poles say and live for centuries, “It's, #ForYourFreedomAndOurs" #FYFAO

Can the US sustain credible nuclear deterrence in an age of multiple revisionist, nuclear-armed adversaries? On June 5 at 3:00 p.m. ET, hear directly from Gen. Bussiere on how the @AFGlobalStrike is navigating this challenge. 🔗 atlanticcouncil.org/event/ge… #ForwardDefense

The #3SI is a powerful regional economic and security project which can transform the economic potential of #CentralEasternEurope #CEE, including AdriaticSeaPartners. The 3SI is thus, an economic boost to all of Europe. The 3SI not only unleashes immense economic growth, but also provides crucial #Energy and #MilitaryMobility for securing Europe. @3S1OConference #ForwardDefense #SolidarityTransport