Poland calls for stronger US troop presence despite NATO tensions over Mideast

Poland called for a stronger US military presence on its territory, saying the issue is not linked to tensions in the Middle East or the ongoing war involving Iran.

“We hope for an increased presence of American forces in Poland, regardless of the situation in the Middle East,” Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said, according to public broadcaster TVP World.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said discussions on strengthening US deployments on NATO’s eastern flank have been ongoing for months and are not connected to recent developments in the Middle East.

“This situation is related to talks we have long been conducting with the United States. First, maintaining the presence. Second, striving to increase this presence on NATO’s eastern flank,” he said.

He added that the Middle East situation has not disrupted these efforts and does not prevent implementation of a long-standing plan to increase the American presence in Poland.

“There is no NATO without the US, but there is no US strength or military power without NATO,” he said, stressing the alliance’s dependence on Washington.

He added that “the string has been pulled very hard, but not to breaking point.”

The comments came after a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report said the Trump administration is considering redeploying US troops in Europe as part of a broader NATO pressure strategy.

The WSJ reported that Washington is weighing redeploying forces within Europe as a “punishment” for NATO members deemed unhelpful during the Iran conflict, according to administration officials.

The report also said Trump has previously threatened to withdraw from NATO, although any such move would require congressional approval.