{"id":37795,"date":"2018-06-06T18:37:34","date_gmt":"2018-06-06T18:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/06\/06\/heres-how-the-us-is-preparing-for-a-possible-russian-attack-in-europe\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T07:16:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:16:08","slug":"heres-how-the-us-is-preparing-for-a-possible-russian-attack-in-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/06\/06\/heres-how-the-us-is-preparing-for-a-possible-russian-attack-in-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s how the US is preparing for a possible Russian attack in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An increasing focus on Russian deterrence within the top ranks of the Pentagon could foreshadow the deployment of more U.S. troops to Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will meet with NATO defense ministers this week and pitch a 30-30-30-30 readiness plan to counter what the Pentagon perceives as an increasing Russian ground force threat. The plan calls on NATO allies to assemble 30 land battalions, 30 air squadrons and 30 combat vessels capable of deploying in 30 days or less by the year 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plan comes at a time of lingering concerns about the capability of NATO members to meet U.S. strategic readiness goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent Rand Corporation study<\/a> showed that Britain, France and Germany could each deploy a heavy brigade unit to NATO\u2019s eastern flank within a month, but sustaining those forces would be difficult, especially given French military commitments in Africa and years of British military cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\t