NATO vs Russia
Currently Russia is still sticking to the numbers in NewSTART but has suspended it. It is wary of UK and France not being counted in that treaty currently. Lately the US was concerned that Russia might retreat entirely from NewSTART forcing them back into an Arms race regarding Nukes (which does not help against China but costs precious resources). Taking this into consideration I'm not so sure if the US is currently keen on a massive Nuclear Up- arming of Europe. But from a European perspective I see little choices. This will have to happen if we don't want to become suspetable to blackmailing.
I remember, and it's a great disappointment that this is where things stand now.
As to NATO members bickering with NATO members**: heck, it was normal every day at the office when I was in a NATO billet - except - at the time everyone took Article V guarantees as a given. (And that right there is why those former bloc nations wanted in ...)
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** The Greek-Turk friction wasn't the only example, but it certainly was reliable.
Last edited by Lonewolf_50; 26th Feb 2024 at 21:01.
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Apologies for intruding, but both can be true. It is absolutely correct that Europe has not pulled its weight and has been happy to sit under the umbrella of the US for too long.
However, this is appears to be a key point in global geopolitics, and making these threats is seriously damaging and may have existential repercussions for years to come.
This is what Russia wants, to divide allies; and even on the medium of a sensible discussion board it is manifesting itself.
We’ve had a big wake-up call, hopefully not too late, but a unified West is the only thing that will stop Putin.
Back to lurking, thanks to all who have served.
However, this is appears to be a key point in global geopolitics, and making these threats is seriously damaging and may have existential repercussions for years to come.
This is what Russia wants, to divide allies; and even on the medium of a sensible discussion board it is manifesting itself.
We’ve had a big wake-up call, hopefully not too late, but a unified West is the only thing that will stop Putin.
Back to lurking, thanks to all who have served.
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Since his military team wasn't able to achieve that 'quick victory' (how many times has that "it will be a short war" fantasy been dispelled..."home by Christmas" in Korea comes to mind) he's going to try whatever he can to force, and exploit, any cracks in the alliance that he sees looking west. (See Hungary and others who have been somewhat obstructionist).
But he's also ended up adding two important countries to NATO in the North: Finland and Sweden.
NATO versus Russia looks quite a bit different if those two are both on side, as compared to the previous situation.
However, this is appears to be a key point in global geopolitics, and making these threats is seriously damaging and may have existential repercussions for years to come.
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Macron hinting that Western forces may be heading to Ukraine.
https://apnews.com/article/paris-con...8cdeb84050d469
https://apnews.com/article/paris-con...8cdeb84050d469
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China thinks Kalingrad could be at risk.
What a strange narrative. Is this on Russia's request? Russia based new nuke missiles at Kaliningrad only recently.
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Sinister convoy of Russian mobile missile launchers on 250-mile journey to Moscow (msn.com)
Gee, thanks, Dimitry, your "We might just screw up and start a nuclear war" is just the kind of message that will bring people to your point of view. I guess vodka for breakfast brings its side effects.
Video footage showed the hulking dark green Yars missile launchers being wheeled 250 miles to the capital more than two months ahead of the country’s Victory Day parade in Red Square.
Capable of flying 17,500 miles per hour, 25 times the speed of sound, these mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles are a frequent feature of Russia’s annual celebration of its victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. The convoy clad in Russian flags is just the latest flaunting of Russia’s nuclear arsenal as 71-year-old Vladimir Putin seeks to taunt the West amidst the military gridlock two years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Just a day earlier, Putin flew in the pilot’s seat of a Tu-160M strategic bomber, a key component of Russia’s nuclear triad.
Yars missiles are currently the core of the ground-based component of Russia’s strategic nuclear force. They have a range of up to 7,500 miles, enables strikes on countries like the UK and USA, a realistic threat if the words of Putin lapdog Dmitry Medvedev are anything to go by.
He warned: ‘Sad as it may sound, this [nuclear war] scenario is real. We must do everything we can to prevent it from happening. But this very clock, which is ticking in a certain direction, has now accelerated very much. ‘And in this I also see the inability, excuse me, the impotence of these Western authorities. ‘[They] keep saying the same thing: ‘No, it’s the Russians who are scaring us, they will never do it’. They’re wrong.
‘If it comes to the existence of our country, and I said this recently, what choice is left for the [Russian] leadership, for the head of state? None.’
He said: ‘So this is, unfortunately, a real threat, a direct and clear threat to all of humanity. ‘And secondly, there are also accidents, from which no one is immune.
‘And the accidental, unintentional start of a nuclear conflict cannot be discounted.
Capable of flying 17,500 miles per hour, 25 times the speed of sound, these mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles are a frequent feature of Russia’s annual celebration of its victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. The convoy clad in Russian flags is just the latest flaunting of Russia’s nuclear arsenal as 71-year-old Vladimir Putin seeks to taunt the West amidst the military gridlock two years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Just a day earlier, Putin flew in the pilot’s seat of a Tu-160M strategic bomber, a key component of Russia’s nuclear triad.
Yars missiles are currently the core of the ground-based component of Russia’s strategic nuclear force. They have a range of up to 7,500 miles, enables strikes on countries like the UK and USA, a realistic threat if the words of Putin lapdog Dmitry Medvedev are anything to go by.
He warned: ‘Sad as it may sound, this [nuclear war] scenario is real. We must do everything we can to prevent it from happening. But this very clock, which is ticking in a certain direction, has now accelerated very much. ‘And in this I also see the inability, excuse me, the impotence of these Western authorities. ‘[They] keep saying the same thing: ‘No, it’s the Russians who are scaring us, they will never do it’. They’re wrong.
‘If it comes to the existence of our country, and I said this recently, what choice is left for the [Russian] leadership, for the head of state? None.’
He said: ‘So this is, unfortunately, a real threat, a direct and clear threat to all of humanity. ‘And secondly, there are also accidents, from which no one is immune.
‘And the accidental, unintentional start of a nuclear conflict cannot be discounted.
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The European Union aims to purchase up to half of its military equipment from inside the Union by 2035, knock on effect due to the perceived unreliability of the USA in supplying arms?
That would make sense, if you now see the USA as a threat in a growing conflict by putting a squeeze on arms supplies for your weapons systems, then remove them as a supplier and build in house. I wonder how much they will reduce dependence post 2035.
That would make sense, if you now see the USA as a threat in a growing conflict by putting a squeeze on arms supplies for your weapons systems, then remove them as a supplier and build in house. I wonder how much they will reduce dependence post 2035.
Should I expect Russian troop ships to appear off the NY or California coast soon? Russia is a threat to euroland, not to the US.
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Macron hinting that Western forces may be heading to Ukraine.
Saying western forces may end up in Ukraine is a threat to Russia, plain and simple. Doesn’t mean it will happen if that’s what you’re falling back on. Doesn’t mean it won’t which is my assertion.