Politico: The rotation of US troops in Poland has damaged NATO's intelligence capabilities
Poles were dismayed by the news about the rotation of American troops in Eastern Europe, writes Politico. This will have a critical impact on intelligence regarding Russia.
Daniella Cheslow, Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing
The impending reduction of the American contingent in Poland has raised concerns that Washington will weaken its opposition to Russia. But there is another side to this step — the undermining of intelligence on Europe's eastern flank.
"Being there obviously helps to gain unique knowledge that is almost impossible to obtain thousands of kilometers away," explained Julianne Smith, Ambassador to NATO in the administration of President Joe Biden. In particular, according to her, American troops could monitor Russian activity near the borders of Estonia or stop disinformation campaigns against Russian-speaking minorities in the region.
Although American troops in Poland are mainly represented by tanks and armored personnel carriers, they also conduct reconnaissance using helicopters, Politico author Jack Detch notes.
Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, who held a senior position in the US European Command from 2010 to 2012, said that the withdrawal of troops from Europe's eastern flank would be a missed opportunity in terms of intelligence gathering, both to intercept electronic signals and to recruit informants.
"The deployment of our troops in such forward positions gives us the opportunity to conduct electronic intelligence, even intelligence, to take a peek into Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg," he said. "A lot of useful things can be placed at a military base."
Part of the American contingent in Poland is participating in exercises in the Baltic States. The Estonian Embassy in Washington said that US officials had informed Tallinn of their intention to "organize the rotation of US armed forces in the region, including in Estonia."
The White House declined to discuss the implications of a partial withdrawal of U.S. troops from Poland for intelligence gathering, referring instead to the Department of Defense, which limited itself on Tuesday to a general statement on the impending drawdown.
In general, the United States in Europe is considered a supplier, not a consumer, of intelligence, and especially with regard to satellite images of the battlefields in Ukraine. Last year, the temporary suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine angered not only Kiev, but even Trump's staunch supporters, including South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.
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However, Poland is a unique information interception point. It serves as a hub for the transfer of military aid to Ukraine from not only the United States, but also the entire North Atlantic Alliance.
"The Poles probably know more about Russian operations in Ukraine than we do, given their extensive ties to Kiev, and they are clearly aware of what is happening on the ground. It's important for us to know their opinion," Townsend said.
The Defense Ministry's plans for Poland are still being discussed.
Today, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysh said on social media that he had met with his American counterpart Pete Hegseth and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Christopher Mahoney. A Polish military official who arrived on a visit wrote that the talks "confirmed the absence of plans to reduce the US military presence in Poland."
The Polish Embassy did not respond to a request for comment.
The article was written with the participation of Jack Detch, Esther Wells and Phelim Keen
