Remember Europe?

摘要

Military leaders around the world who are preoccupied with the Asia-Pacific Theater-at the expense of Europe-are taking "a dangerous view," warned Maj. Gen. Mark O. Schissler, US Air Forces in Europe's director of plans, programs, and analyses. In a January interview at Ramstein AB, Germany, Schissler said, "It concerns me when people are ready to discount Europe and NATO. I think it's a vital relationship and we need to remain balanced across the globe." The United States should maintain the strong, stabilizing posture that has enabled peace in Europe, while equally cultivating relationships in the Pacific to confront emerging threats, Schissler asserted. Europe is home to bases critical to US mobility and force projection worldwide, as well as allies that have stood beside the US through the Cold War and stand beside it today in Afghanistan. US leaders must not overlook European countries, with which the United States shares many common interests, responsibilities, and values, he noted.