Some foreign policy analystsargue that, if it continues on its current path, Poland may well emerge as a leading nation in Europe-- particularly within the EU and NATO. This report provides background information on recentU.S.-Polish relations, a summary of Poland's political situation and economic conditions, and adescription of Poland's major foreign policy initiatives, mainly with neighboring states. Poland and the United States

Poland and the United States have enjoyed close relations over the years. (1) 
Warsaw has been a particularly reliable supporter and ally since the terrorist attacks ofSeptember 11; it has aided U.S. efforts in the global war on terrorism, and has contributed troops tothe U.S.-led coalitions in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Over the past year, however, many Poles haveconcluded that their country's involvement in Iraq has increasingly become a political liability,particularly on the domestic front. Some Poles are of the view that their loyalty to the United Stateshas gone unrewarded, and hope that the Bush Administration still might respond favorably to Polishrequests for increased military assistance, Iraq reconstruction contracts to Polish firms, and changesto in U.S. visa policy. Domestic Developments

		Political Situation

Poland has had an eventful political scene in recent years. (12) And although it hassteered the nation into the EU, nurtured a strong economy, and weathered two confidence votes, thecurrent government's days are numbered, in the eyes of many. (13) 
In the meantime, Poland has been rocked by several high-profile scandals. Elections are scheduled for September 2005. Poland has set a goal of having 60% of its military be professional by 2006. Since beginning accession negotiations,Poland has sought to meet its NATO obligations. Poland has been modernizing its airfields. European Union. Warsaw was not reluctant to assert itself beforejoining the EU and will likely be even less hesitant to do so now that it is a member. To the east, Poland has soughtto promote democracy in Ukraine and to normalize relations with Belarus and Russia. The government has announced a phased troop withdrawal. Although most analysts do not anticipate major changes in Polish foreignpolicy in the near future, some believe that it is inevitable that Poland will draw closer to the EUover the long term.
Poland and the United States have enjoyed close relations, particularly since the terroristattacks of September 11, 2001. Warsaw has been a reliable supporter and ally in the global war onterrorism and has contributed troops to the U.S.-led coalitions in Afghanistan and in Iraq -- whereit assumed a leading role. Over the past year, however, many Poles have concluded that theircountry's involvement in Iraq has increasingly become a political liability, particularly on thedomestic front. With elections scheduled for September 2005, the government has announced aphased troop withdrawal. Some Poles have argued that, despite the human casualties and financialcosts their country has borne, their loyalty to the United States has gone unrewarded. Many hopethat the Bush Administration will respond favorably by providing increased military assistance, byawarding Iraq reconstruction contracts to Polish firms, and by changing its visa policy.
Poland has had an eventful political scene in recent years. Since 2001, two prime ministershave fallen. Many attribute these turnovers to a series of high-profile scandals. Although the currentgovernment has steered the nation into the EU and nurtured a strong, export-based economy, pollsindicate that it may be replaced in the next elections. However, regardless of which parties form thenext government, Poland's foreign policy will not likely undergo drastic changes. Poland'sexport-dependent economy has performed relatively well in recent years; the agricultural sector inparticular has responded positively to EU membership.
A NATO member since 1999, Poland has been restructuring and modernizing its military toenable it to respond to out-of-area missions -- an alliance priority. Poland has sought to nurturedemocracy in Ukraine and Belarus, and to normalize ties with Russia. Poland has been an activemember of NATO and, since May 2004, the European Union. Poland was not reluctant to assertitself in a number of issue areas before joining the EU and will likely be even less hesitant to do sonow that it is a member. Some analysts argue that, if it continues on its current path, Poland maywell emerge as a leading nation in Europe. Although most analysts do not anticipate major changesin Polish foreign policy in the near future, some believe that it is inevitable that Poland will drawcloser to the EU over the long term.
This report provides political and economic background on Poland and evaluates currentissues in U.S.-Polish and Polish-European relations. This report will be updated after Poland's 2005elections. For additional information, see CRS Report RL32967 , Poland: Foreign Policy Trends ,by [author name scrubbed].