"When they come, I will confirm that I believe" - General Pacek on changes in the US strategy

Pete Hegseth, the head of the Pentagon, appeared on Wednesday at the Marine Corps base in Quantico near Washington, where he delivered the "State of the Armed Forces Address." In it, he announced a number of changes regarding the American military.

One of them is particularly important from the point of view of Europe. While building "beautiful new military bases" on US territory, "tens of thousands" of American soldiers are to return to the country. Some forces have already been withdrawn from abroad, including from our country.

What does this mean for Poland and the entire Old Continent, especially in the context of the ongoing discussion about establishing a US military base on the Vistula River?

I am one of the few commentators who, when asked by journalists whether I believe in a permanent base and in various beneficial moves for Poland, each time I replied: "when they come, I will confirm that I really believe," because there is a bit more smoke than fire in all this, said Bogusław Pacek, retired major general, professor, director of the Polish Army Museum, and lecturer at the Fire Academy.

According to General Pack, the United States' strategy is clear: the priority is the Far East and China.

It is important to distract Russia from the economic and military partnership with the People's Republic of China. And this strategic goal has been the same for many years, and not only since the current term of office of Donald Trump, he explained.

As General Pacek assessed, the best solution would be talks with the US, which would help determine what America is able to offer Europe and what Europe must take care of itself.

Gen. Pacek noted, however, that although the US focuses primarily on the Middle Kingdom, Europe has not been fully eliminated from the American strategy.

There was a time when the United States was considering, or is still considering, building a permanent base here. Not only as part of helping Europe, but as part of the American strategy. It's good to have an opponent close, not a friend. And the Americans probably understood that it is impossible to turn Russia into an American friend, he said.

According to the general, the reason for the withdrawal of American soldiers from Europe is the situation in Iran, in which America is "stuck".

Therefore, any deep American entanglement in yet another place, i.e. Europe, would be unacceptable. The United States has therefore slightly freed itself from this major involvement in Europe. Unfortunately, we are experiencing the effects of this and it is unfavorable for us. Today, of course, the United States helps Ukraine, but to a very small extent compared to what happened before, he said.

In addition to returning soldiers to their homeland, a number of changes are planned in the US military. Hegseth announces the creation of an "Autonomous War Command", which will be devoted to war using robots and artificial intelligence. The way the military acquires, tests and uses drones and other similar weapons will also change. Hegseth intends to place particular emphasis on faith. He announced the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs and announced the strengthening of military chaplaincy.

The US also plans to reduce the number of positions reserved for generals and admirals by as much as 20 percent.