People say Afghanistan is the graveyard of Empires, Russia would have to be the graveyard of armies .

Most nations (especially Eastern Europe) will join Russia or surrender as their militaries are obsolete and to small to mount any type of defense *as happened in the cold war*.

Some Western Europe nations could even join them (most note worthy being Germany). They have been moving closer to Russia lately even blocking punishments on them for their war with Georgia. Germany probably needs Russia more then any other nation in Europe.

But put all this aside, if Russia was to attack Europe they belong to NATO so the US would automatically be involved. So why not just keep our forces there instead of spending money to move them home, and eventually spending money to send them back?

Now we do have to acknowledge that the Germans used ballistic missiles to some effect in WW2 (about 1944). The Iran Iraq War did feature ballistic missile attacks against major cities. Desert Storm did have Scud attacks both against Kuwait and more importantly against Israel. The potential for their use, and the potential destruction — is great.

Still, long range cruise missiles have been used frequently and effectively. Bombers have been used effectively. We have countermeasures to the use of both of those since they are needed now.

I am still convinced that the best way to defend a country is by providing “tripwires” of your citizens in harm’s way. And have the understanding with opponents that the loss of those people (military or civilian) would result in immediate retaliation.

And those citizens could easily be provided by basing useful resources (such as heavy transports) near possible targets. That way we have a tripwire but they can be useful — not sitting there being dusted by the maintenance guys.

The most effective use of ballistic missiles in world history has arguably been when Iraq fired them at Israel — trying to provoke a response. Had Israel bombed Iraq it would have split the coalition. That was not a strict military mission, Iraq was not attacking the invading military formations — with those rockets fired at Israel.

So Israel needs anti-ballistic missile defense and they have it. But Europe can best be defended by cooperative military efforts. So that if Iran foolishly fired a missile at Hungary they would be threatening Americans.