15 Comments
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Feral Finster's avatar

This was obvious as soon as the news came out.

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Paul Jurczak's avatar

Militaries require very detailed maps, significantly more than the regular ones. For example, showing bridges and overpasses with maximum loads and clearances, forests with types of trees, density, height and average trunk diameter, etc. Creation of these maps is costly, so they are not updated frequently and become outdated quickly. Similar actions were observed recently in Poland, where German mappers are performing map updates.

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Johannes Stockburger's avatar

Is Poland not able to do that by herself? Do they really need Germany for that?

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Paul Jurczak's avatar

Poland can produce good maps in NATO standard. Not sure what is the politics of this, but there are two relevant issues worth mentioning:

1. Germany is increasing permanent deployment of its troops in Baltic States and the only way to get there by land is though Poland [https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-launch-permanent-troop-deployment-lithuania-nato-eastern-flank-russia-ukraine/]

2. The European Commission is hellbent on creating a European Army. Getting the local population accustomed to free movement of foreign troops may be a prelude. It will take some effort to make Poles accept Bundeswehr on their streets, and it can backfire. [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/three-nato-allies-sign-deal-speed-up-military-deployments-eastern-flank-2024-01-30/]

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Johannes Stockburger's avatar

I cannot imagine, that Polish people could accept German military in their country.

Germany declared, that they want the strongest military in Europe. That implies it must be stronger than Poland‘s.

Also, they say they must defend Eastern Europe against Russia.

This means they want to dominate Eastern Europe.

Otherwise they would say: „we need to do our part to facilitate that Eastern European countries can defend themselves. (At least Poland, the Baltics might be too small for that.)

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Nakayama's avatar

For building a sandbox and potentially for terrain-following cruise missiles.

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RalfB's avatar

I view this as very good news. If France decides to take some load off Ukraine, and defend Odessa for them (obviously not out of charity, but in order to lay their greedy, grubby hands on this key port), then that means that any Russian advance against Odessa will run into French troops rather than Ukrainian ones.

Now, Ukrainian soldiers are veterans of this war; they know all the tricks and all the new tactics, and are doggedly tough to dislodge. But when the green French troops encounter the Russian war machine, I don't believe they will resist its advance as effectively as the Hohols, to put it very, very mildly.

Of course, the French will have the standard racist Western conviction that things are quite the reverse; that the contemptible Slavic Russians will break against the superior French. LOL. I will make sure to stock up with popcorn in anticipation of this epic confrontation playing out.

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Angelina's avatar

An old joke comes to mind: “French Rifle for Sale: dropped once, never fired”

Or as one of the American war correspondents wrote, “Paris fell like a lady, Moscow fought like a man.”

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David Aplin's avatar

… or the Mannlicher Carcano carbine. It Italians use to say that it was the rifle that never killed anybody on purpose

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kees's avatar
Apr 18Edited

Am I right in understanding that France and Germany are engaged in a military competition?

Vying for the leadership of the army the Grand-Duchy of Gerolstein.

And the EU brings us peace. Clowns' World.

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Andrew Korybko's avatar

Correct, I assess that they're competing with one another and with Poland for leadership in post-conflict Europe:

https://korybko.substack.com/p/france-germany-and-poland-are-competing

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Kennewick Man's avatar

I can already visualize President Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron marching in his centurion uniform with short sword at the front of the French Foreign Legion toward the Russian border. The main strategic consideration will aim to secure Odessa as a meeting point with Zelensky in case the Ukraine leader will be chased there by Russian forces. As a sign of everlasting friendship the two will exchange warm kisses, share their food supplies and attempt a getaway by swimming across the Danube River in full armor. And that will be the end of the story.

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James Schwartz's avatar

Lmfao

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Harrison's avatar

Fascinating read. I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking. Dm me if interested in a recommendation swap — we’re growing fast!

check us out:

https://thesecretingredient.substack.com

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James Schwartz's avatar

Oh France.

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