US and Poland Relations and Military Partnerships

Polish Culture
Poland is one of the biggest Central European countries and is divided into 16 subdivisions. Approximately 60.1% of the population of 38.4 million people live in urban areas (CIA, 2019). A majority of the population identify themselves as Poles and speak Polish as their native language (CIA, 2019). The capital in Warsaw, and it is a Unitary parliamentary constitutional Republic with a president and prime minister. It has a legislature divided into and upper and lower house (CIA, 2019). It is bounded by the Baltic Sea, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast, the Czech Republic, and Germany (InfoPoland, n.d.).
The geography of Poland is relatively low, with 91% of the country at just 300 meters above sea level (InfoPoland, n.d.). It has a relatively flat terrain, but glaciers in the region formed low hills and numerous small lakes in the northern portion of Poland (InfoPoland, n.d.). The northern portion if densely wooded and is one of the few sites in the world that has remaining primeval forest. The shores of the Baltic sea are dotted with sandy beaches and harbors (InfoPoland, n.d.). The southern portion of Poland is flat and primarily agricultural. The ridges fo the Carpathian Mountains stretch along the Southern border. Approximately 27% of Poland is covered by forest (InfoPoland, n.d.).
The infrastructure and communications systems in Poland have undergone a modernization as a result of economic prosperity. Several nationwide networks provide cellular service and coverage is generally good, except in remote rural areas (CIA, 2019). There are 2 state-operated public TV stations and a number of special interest and privately-owned channels (CIA, 2019). Approximately 73.3% of the population has Internet access (CIA, 2019). Poland has a completed electrical grid with 100% coverage and a generating capacity of 38.11 KW (CIA, 2019). They import a greater portion of electricity than they export (CIA, 2019).
Poland has 126 airports, 87 of which have paved runways (CIA, 2019). It is home to 6 registered air carriers. The highway and roadway infrastructure is highly developed and adequate for most purposes. It also has a highly developed rail network (CIA, 2019). A majority of the rail system if standard gauge, but approximately 395 KM of broad gauge also exist. Poland has approximately 4,000 KM of waterways (CIA, 2019).
Poland has a complex military history and has seen many struggles over the years. Poland’s army arose to military superiority after driving out Imperial Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary in 1918 (Peszke, 2017). In 1939, the country was attacked by Germany and Russia and suffered a defeat to both (Peszke, 2017). The Polish Constitutional government was exiled, but continued to function (Peszke, 2017). At this time, Poland was operated as an underground state and managed to build an army in exile due to agreements with the UK and France (Peszke, 2017). By the end of World War II, Poland was under Soviet rule. In addition, Many of he urban areas, including Warsaw had been almost completely destroyed, requiring a major rebuilding effort after the war.
In 1956, the Polish Army became part of the Warsaw Pact but all senior posts were held by Soviet officers (Peszke, 2017). In 1989, the crumbling of the Soviet Union allowed Poland to once again change hands. At that time, the Polish Communist Government had to cede to the Solidarity Union movement and free elections were instituted (Peszke, 2017). The Warsaw Pact was dissolved soon after that. For the first time, the Polish Army was under civilian control and in a nation with a freely elected government (Peszke, 2017). Poland now has land forces, air forces, a Navy, Special Forces, and a Polish Territorial Defense Force.
According the Department of State, Poland in ally in Central Europe and one of the strongest U.S. partners on the continent (U.S. Department of State, 2019). Poland and the United States have clos partnership in NATO capabilities. They also share strong partnerships in operations involving counterterrorism, missile defense, nonproliferation, human rights, energy security and economic growth (U.S. Department of State, 2019). Poland has contributed to efforts in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq, and in operations against terrorist groups such as ISIS (U.S. Department of State, 2019).
Poland is host to a U.S. aviation detachment and units from a rotational U.S. Armored Combat Brigade Team (U.S. Department of State, 2019). The number of rotational U.S. Troops in Poland averages about 4,500 at any given time (U.S. Department of State, 2019). However, there are talks ongoing about the potential of hosting even more troops in Poland (U.S. Department of State, 2019). In 2019, Poland hosted an annual U.S.-led Naval exercise in the Baltic Sea (U.S. Department of State, 2019).
Poland is considered to be an important partner with the U.S. and partners with assistance to Europe, Central Asia, and Eurasia (U.S. Department of State, 2019). The assistance programs include funds for financing of large and small enterprises for the purpose of economic growth (U.S. Department of State, 2019). Investments include training and education, investment and funs, and endowment funds. The U.S. also provides assistance to Poland in helping it meets its NATO obligations and to sustain operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. has also provided financial assistance to the Polish military (U.S. Department of State, 2019). The U.S. has provided equipment and defense supplies to help the Polish military upgrade and modernize its equipment. Poland maintains an embassy in the United States (U.S. Department of State, 2019). The United States and Poland maintain strong economic and military bilateral relations. The Polish people have demonstrated themselves to be independent and resilient in the face of challenges.
References
CIA (2019). The World Factbook: Poland. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pl.html
IntoPoland. (n.d.). Geography of Poland. Retrieved from http://www.intopoland.com/poland-info/geography-of-poland.html
Peszke, M. (2017). Polish Armed Forces, 1918-present. Oxford Bibliographies. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199791279/obo-9780199791279-0150.xml
U.S. Department of State. (2019, June 10). U.S. Relations with Poland. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-poland/