
An Abrams main battle tank, for U.S. troops deployed in the Baltics as part of NATO's invasion of Eastern Europe aka Operation 'Atlantic Resolve', arrive at the port in Riga, Latvia, on March 9, 2015.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are all NATO countries that gained membership in the alliance in 2004. About 750 U.S. tanks, helicopters and other equipment are scheduled to arrive in the Latvian capital of Riga next Monday, Army Col. Steve Warren told the AP. The military exercises are expected to last three months, although Army Gen. John O'Conner said the equipment will stay "for as long as required to deter Russian aggression," according to the Russian news agency Tass.
The exercises were planned as the three countries become increasingly concerned over Russia's aggression in eastern Ukraine, according to the AP. "The presence of our allies in Latvia is a confirmation of solidarity and security in the region," said Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Vejonis, according to Tass.
The Baltic States will regret having allowed the US to ratchet up the tensions. That's no 3rd world country across thier eastern borders.