Thus The New York Times today. “To deter possible Russian aggression, the Pentagon is drawing up plans to store battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other heavy weapons for as many as five-thousand American troops in several Baltic and Eastern European countries,” explains the newspaper. Positioning the equipment forward would save the time and other resources. If approved, the proposal would represent the first such move since the Cold War. As it stands, the equipment for about a hundred and fifty soldiers would be stored in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia each, whereas the equipment for some seven-hundred and fifty soldiers would be located in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and possibly Hungary each. Fair enough, but the number of soldiers contemplated is laughable at best. According to the article, the amount of equipment in question is rather small compared to what Russia could bring to bear against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but it would still serve as a “credible sign” of American commitment. “I think that only an insane person and only in a dream can imagine that Russia would suddenly attack NATO,” Putin is quoted at the end of the article in connection with the proposal. “I think some countries are simply taking advantage of people’s fears with regard to Russia.” Interestingly, the article comes to a close on this happy note. Putin’s comment is left uncommented, which is not a credible sign of American commitment. Whatever happens, Eastern Europe will have to fend for itself, as ever.