Weapon Sales and the Building of a Deep State

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-bulgaria-defence/bulgarian-parliament-approves-plan-to-buy-fighter-jets-and-armoured-vehicles-idUKKCN1J418C

This article reports that NATO encourages Eastern European members to develop, buy and operate new alliance equipment compatible with older Soviet-era systems.

This is how the game works. Make them dependent. Nations like Bulgaria don't have the money to replace their entire arsenal but they can start the process. The money will flow into Western coffers as they purchase jets, armoured vehicles and other goods from French, German, British and American companies.

They have to be delivered and there has to be training that goes along with the delivery. There's money to be made and it provides opportunities for military-to-military contact. This is presented as being of tactical and strategic advantage to the alliance and undoubtedly that's true.

But it also provides a means for establishing 'deeper' relationships. Profiles are developed, officers are selected for trips to the West, to receive further training and of course to meet more people. Some will be approached by Western intelligence agents. Some of these agents loosely function within the military hierarchy and can easily blend in to military environments. Remember Oliver North? A lieutenant colonel, in reality he was functioning as an intelligence agent and member of the Deep State. A lieutenant colonel is not exactly a high-ranking officer. It's mid-level. It's not a rank fitting someone that has a tremendous amount of power. It's not usually a rank that would involve meeting with political leaders and negotiating contracts and yet that's what North did. Why? Because his military uniform and rank were largely window dressing.

Returning to weapons sales these new mechanisms and systems have to be serviced. That requires contracts and long-term contacts and of course more sales. Replacement parts cost money.

Over the course of several years, a lot of money can be made, and men can be recruited from the Bulgarian (or some other nation's) officer corps. It's the beginning of a Deep State that can be potentially called upon at a later date. It establishes not only an additional platform for political manipulation but if the situation becomes desperate these figures will at a later time be called upon to do America a service. If that's reminiscent of mafia-like language, it's meant to be.

Not at all will become bona fide agents of the US or NATO. Not all will come through at that crucial moment. But some will and usually that's all that's needed. This is at the essence of the Pentagon's relationship with Turkey. After several coups and chapters of military rule, Erdogan has sought to dismantle and purge this system. After decades it had pretty deep roots and though decimated I don't believe it's eradicated. Neither does he.

In a nation like Bulgaria you can be sure Washington is willing to invest some money. Bulgaria occupies some important geographical space and I think a case can be made that their Deep State has already been in collaboration with Washington. These sales are merely a method of strengthening the ties.