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Re: Discussion - CZECH REPUBLIC/US/RUSSIA - A new Czech Republic security proposal reveals how much the Czechs are freaking out about the Russians

Released on 2012-10-16 17:00 GMT

Email-ID 5400794
Date 2011-09-07 17:53:35
I remember a discussion in the past about how CR didn't need the BMD
security umbrella against Russia as badly as the Poles did, and that's why
CR could afford to negotiate more freely on this deal when the US backed
down earlier on its bmd commitments. the tone of this discussion makes CR
sound desperate and freaked about the Russians, looking to drive forward
new security arrangments to protect themselves. was there a shift in the
CR position over the past year, and if so, why?


From: "Marc Lanthemann" <>
To: "Analyst List" <>
Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 10:26:03 AM
Subject: Re: Discussion - CZECH REPUBLIC/US/RUSSIA - A new Czech
Republic security proposal reveals how much the Czechs are freaking
out about the Russians

This is good insight that I think we should spend more time thinking about
and moving beyond the pure feasibility or no feasibility discussion. Main
points for me are a) the Czechs are freaked out about the Russians and b)
they are thinking about a regional central europe security structure. The
F16s are a wild dream, let's not lose ourselves in that as much as the
fact that we have now 2 CE counties that are scared and want to
collaborate militarily against a common foe. Talkin about Poland btw.
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 7, 2011, at 10:03, Nate Hughes <> wrote:

On 9/6/11 4:03 PM, Marc Lanthemann wrote:

On 9/6/11 3:32 PM, Kristen Cooper wrote:

Discussion - A new Czech Republic security proposal reveals how much
the Czechs are freaking out about the Russians

A. Serious negotiations between Russia and US over BMD will be
going on over the next two weeks.

A. The Central Europeans are watching these negotiations
carefully as the outcome of these meetings and the overall status of
US-Russian relations will definitively shape the future of the
security environment in the region.

A. The Central Europeans are concerned that NATO as a whole
does not see Russia as a serious security threat and are, thus,
looking to develop security guarantees independent of the military
alliance. Central European states have pursued two main strategies
towards this end a** individual security guarantees from the US and
increasing focus on developing separate regional security frameworks
like the recently formed V4 Battle Group. (Can go into the specifics
of BMDs, lillypads, V4, etc.)

A. Initially, the Czech Republic was a key one of two
participant in the USa**s plans for BMD developed under the Bush
administration. However, Prague essentially pulled out of the
agreement when the Obama administration announced a revamped
proposal that significantly diminished the Czech Republica**s role
within the system. At the time, it was widely speculated that Prague
really didna**t see Russia as the security threat that the other
Central Europeans did and a decision that any security guarantees
provided by its involvement in BMD werena**t worth the cost of
provoking Russiaa**s ire.

A. However, STRATFOR has recently learned that the move was not
a result of any recalculation by Prague regarding its assessment of
Russia but rather Praguea**s frustration with the US that the new
plans didna**t provide the country with enough of a security
deterrent against Russia. (Will go into specifics of the Czechs
wanting US boots on the ground a** which the new proposal wouldna**t

emphasize Czechs freaking out

A. After failing to achieve an acceptable agreement with the US
over Praguea**s role in the current BMD proposals, Prague has come
up with an alternative plan they've independently devised a scheme
they are going to push -- need to be clear that this is their
independent idea and we don't know how well it will be received that
combines both of the Central Europeansa** main strategies for
addressing the Russian threat a** securing US military presence on
the ground and fostering greater security cooperation regionally.

A. If BMD isna**t going to be enough to get a US military
presence in Czech territory, the Czechs want a batch of F-16s like
Poland is getting. The US has agreed to this in principle but at
exorbitant prices that the Czechs could never afford due to major
slashes to its defense budget amid the recession a** like most of
the Central Europeans.

A. The Czech Republica**s new plan involves getting 5 or 6
Central European countries to go in together and do a mass order of
the F-16s in exchange for a discount by the US. It would be Romania,
Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and maybe more for Poland a** for 85 or
so F-16s. I don't know that this bulk discount is really going to
impact the underlying metrics. F-16s are expensive. a discount
doesn't change that fact. My question here is how realistic this is.
What sort of discount are we talking and is it really meaningful
enough to alter the financial calculations of countries already
slashing their defense budget?

It would be interesting because then all of them could train
together in one country and then set up a repair factory in another
country. The countries would be tied together a** and tied to the
US. The US would need to have military on the ground to train the
CEs. only contractors are required. the US presence the Poles are
getting is not automatic This is the best sort of security alliance
between US and CEs. Keep in mind that Slovakia and Hungary recently
slashed their defence budget by a huge amount (Slovakia basically
did away with their tanks.. more info in the links below) I don't
think we're giving enough credence to this point. when czech had a
lot more money than it does now, they chose the Gripens over the
F-16s no doubt with price in mind. now they have less money and
already bought the Gripens so they've sunk (and are no doubt still
paying off) a big chunk of their air force budget already -- and
they're plan depends largely on countries with even less money
(including Bulgaria which has none at all) buying into it.

In any event, Swedish Gripens didn't get Czech into the Nordic
battlegroup. This is a scheme, but buying F-16s in and of itself
doesn't get all of the things Czechs want from it. They want what
Poland has, but Poland has gotten what it got through much more
unflinching openness, more money, a more pivotal geographic and
geopolitical position, etc. We need to be distinguishing between
what Czech wants and is scheming to get and what it can
realistically afford and get.

A. There are huge obstacles to this plan a** even beyond the
almost insurmountable issue of financing. like what? The Czecha**s
determination to pursue extensive security cooperation with the US
is extremely revealing of just how seriously the country perceives
the security threat it faces from Russia.1

The problem with this is essentially the problem with Visegrad. Not
enough money and friction amongst members. Hungary and Slovakia have
minority populations that cause trouble
in regular neighborly relations, let alone sharing jets.

However, I would definitely note that Poland is usually thought of as
the one fearing Russia and rallying CE to counter NATO's detachment.
We need to talk more about this w Nate.

Marc Lanthemann
Watch Officer
+1 609-865-5782