From the looks of it, one would think that Polish officials have embarked on a US publicity tour. Fresh on the heels of Vice President Biden’s trip to Poland (one of several Central European stops), the future of US-Polish relations has once again re-emerged onto the Washington policy agenda. This is happening, amidst the multitude of 20 year post-communist transition commemorations taking place throughout Washington DC’s embassies, think tanks and universities.
In addition to a high-level visit by Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, Washington is hosting three separate conferences on the EU Eastern Partnership, lessons from post-communist economic transitions and future of US-Central European relations. In all three, from economics to energy and military security, Poland will be a prominent case study and its current and former government officials will be major participants.
These upcoming gatherings of key US, EU and Polish policymakers can set a major tone, affecting the future of US-Polish, US-EU, and international relations for years to come. A gathering of this magnitude at this point in world history is of great consequence, and an opportunity that should not be wasted.
Today, US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Poland to reiterate America’s commitment to Eastern Europe’s peace and security. Critics have called the trip more of a public diplomacy tour to amend relations “reset” by last month’s missile-defense withdrawal. Meanwhile politicians in Poland continue to point fingers to determine who – if anybody – dropped the ball. As the political blame game bounces between Warsaw and Washington, Poland should instead take the Vice President’s visit as an opportunity to highlight its own laudable contributions to global security as key members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
To date Poland has deployed 2,000 troops to Afghanistan, with most stationed in the increasingly hostile eastern Ghazni province. Out of the 42 nations contributing military personnel, Poland has the sixth largest contingent – the highest for any non-G8 country. It even has more troops on the ground than Australia or the Netherlands.
As the US looks for additional troop reinforcements (the French have already declined) in response to the escalating Taliban insurgency, officials in Poland should make certain that existing Polish troops have the necessary equipment, training and backing – both from the US as well as other NATO allies – to successfully carry out their mission. Such an assessment is vital before making any additional troop commitments. To date 15 Polish soldiers have died, the two most recent on October 10th. More troops would also require additional funding, which is all the more challenging given Poland’s widening budget deficit.
While in Central Europe, the Vice President is sure to encounter additional questions and concerns regarding US commitment levels towards eastern Europe’s defense. If anything, Polish leaders should be sure to re-emphasize that Article 5 works both ways.
