Category Archives: NATO

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius says the recent NATO deployments to the Baltic region and elsewhere in Eastern Europe are a sign that the Western alliance will do anything to defend the security of member nations.

In an interview on April 20 with Current Time TV, Linkevicius also said Vilnius desires normal relations with Russia but that they should be based on "principles and values."

Linkevicius spoke to the Russian-language network, run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA, as the 28-member alliance is bolstering its presence in the region to reassure member nations in the face of a renewed aggressive foreign policy by neighboring Russia.

Particularly worrisome is Moscows illegal annexation of Ukraines Crimea region and its continued support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Russia has also been accused of interfering in the affairs of countries looking to move closer to the NATO alliance.

NATO has deployed four battalions to Poland and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, led by U.S., German, Canadian, and British troops and each with about 800 troops.

Linkevicius told Current Time TV that the level of threat from Russia against the Baltic states -- all NATO members and all former Soviet republics -- remains high.

"The situation has not really improved since [last year], he said.

Linkevicius denied the NATO deployments should be seen by Moscow as a threat, given their small size compared with the level of Russias forces in the region.

"If we compare figures, there are 300,000 servicemen in the Western Military District of the Russian Federation, plus the three more divisions whose deployment has been announced just recently," he said.

But Linkevicius said the NATO presence should be seen as a sign of its commitment to the regions security.

"The main thing is that we are not talking here about competition or escalation, he said.

What we are doing is meant to leave no doubts for anyone that the NATO alliance will do everything necessary to guarantee the security of its territories and population, the foreign minister said.

Linkevicius said there was a war of sorts already taking place in the region -- the so-called hybrid war of unconventional methods, including disinformation and fake news.

"This war already is taking place -- a cyberwar, an information war. In general, the understanding of security has been expanded," he said.

"Once, there were times when before a real fight, an artillery barrage took place.... This is no longer needed. It may be sufficient to use brainwashing to create the staging ground for [military] action.

I am deeply convinced that this is what happened in Crimea," Linkevicius said.

"A ban or some type of censorship are not solutions. It is necessary to set up alternative sources [of information] and to fight those tendencies directly, in a positive way," he said.

On relations with Russia, Linkevicius said there have been few contacts in recent times between Vilnius and Moscow.

"It has been a while since we have had any high-level meetings, he said. We do not think this is because of our position.

In the future, we do want to have relations like normal neighbors. But [relations] should be based on some principles and values, and this is very important."

Linkevicius noted that next month a Russian forum will be held in Lithuania where scholars, journalists, and political science experts will be invited.

Politicians will be there, too, he said. "We will talk about the future of Russia and of Russia in Europe and about freedom of speech.

And, by the way, we will be speaking in Russian."

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Lithuania FM Says NATO Deployment Shows Commitment - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

British defence secretary Michael Fallon went on a visit to Estonia on Thursday to mark the deployment of 800 British troops on Russias doorstep.

The move is part of a NATO effort to deter Russia from interfering in the Baltic states like it did in Ukraine when it annexed Crimea. The transatlantic alliance has been building up its military presence in the region and in Poland.

We are sending the strongest of signals that we stick by our friends and we stand united in the face of aggression, Fallon said.

Fallon took advantage of the visit to take a swipe at Jeremy Corbyn, calling the Labour leader feeble and gutless on defence.

Meanwhile Romania said it plans to buy Patriot missiles from the US to help protect its airspace, just as hundreds of Romanian and US troops braved the blizzard and tested their tanks and aircraft in a display of their military forces.

NATO commanders say deterrence is key.

This is all about defending the alliance, it is not about being aggressive towards anyone, said Major General John L Gronsky, deputy commanding general for the National Guard:

Russia has criticised NATOs military buildup as an agression on its borders. Earlier this week, it reportedly deployed more than 10 of its warships in the Baltic Sea, to fire missiles as part of a training exercise off the coast of Kaliningrad.

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NATO builds up military forces in Baltic region - euronews

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Trump to meet with Erdogan ahead of NATO summit New York Post Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Mevlut Cavusoglu said the two leaders would meet in May ahead of a NATO summit. Cavusoglu says he and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will finalize the date according to the two presidents' schedules. Trump's Congratulatory Call to Erdogan Is Bad; His and NATO's Lack of Urgency on Turkey's Authoritarianism Is Even ...Reason (blog) Trump to Meet Turkey's Erdogan Ahead of NATO Summit in MayHaaretz Donald Trump to meet Turkey's Erdogan in May before NATO summitLivemint Daily Pakistan all 3,545 news articles »

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Trump to meet with Erdogan ahead of NATO summit - New York Post

CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. (AFNS) --

Todays fight against terrorism doesnt rest on the shoulders of one country. Its a team fight, meaning countries must be interoperable to effectively defeat that threat.

To better support the team, members of the German air forces Air Ground Operations Squadron partnered with the 19th Air Support Operations Squadron to conduct a close air support exercise, April 10-14, 2017, at Camp Grayling, Michigan.

With everything happening in the Middle East and across the globe, like (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) trying to fight their way into the European area, it provides a legitimate reason as to why we should all get together and become as strong as we can through joint training, said Master Sgt. Thomas Jenn, the 19th Air Support Operations Squadron division flight chief.

This training is relevant because nearly every operation the U.S. engages in, such as Operation Inherent Resolve, is a joint effort.

NATO is fighting together as a coalition, said Maj. Nader Samadi, the German AGOS commander. We do everything together, whether its U.S. or other NATO partners, the standards are the same. We try to work the same ways so were interoperable, and thats the best thing.

Samadi explained that currently, air-to-air dogfights between aircraft are far less common than air-to-ground strikes or ground-to-ground skirmishes. This makes Tactical Air Control Parties consisting of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers a crucial piece of the battle puzzle.

Nobody really knows what the JTAC is doing but everybody wants to have them, said Samadi. Its really important because we dont want civilian casualties. So NATO forces send us JTACs on site to find out the best way to conduct what we call surgical strikes, where we have civilian collateral damage concerns. Its really important that somebody is there to liaise between the boots on the ground and the air guys. Thats our job, being the liaison and bringing in the biggest weapons.

With bigger weapons come greater stakes. While the JTACs are attached to ground units, they must be precise with their directions and clear on the radio to effectively put bombs on target.

Its extremely unique, said Jenn. The TACP and JTAC capability is a lot like a language translator. Two very distinctive branches from the same country speak, think and act differently, so we are that in-between. We can speak Army to the Air Force, and Air Force to the Army.

As brokers of airpower, being able to convey the ground commanders intent to the Airmen in the cockpit allows an effective joint effort against the enemy, while also mitigating the potential for error.

The worst things could go wrong if we cant understand each other, said Samadi. If we didnt train together or have these opportunities, we cannot set the standards. Im saying look left there is a tree, and (the pilot) is hearing that theres three to his left. So we have to work together as much as possible to get our synergies, wording and brevity on the same page. If we dont have that, things can go bad and you hit wrong targets, and then you could have civilian casualties.

The week of close air support missions, briefings, learning moments and creating bonds allowed almost everyone to walk away being more efficient and more confident in their job.

Seeing a scenario that is closely mirroring whats happening overseas right now and seeing some of the tactical problems that we throw at these guys, it makes them think, said Jenn. Its a chance to make mistakes without any negative repercussions. Thats probably one of the best things about it. Not only does the training environment allow error and correction, but it also allows a bond to grow between the NATO allies. Probably one of my favorite parts is getting to work with all the different coalition partners, said 1st Lt. Megan Cox, the 19th ASOS air liaison officer. Just learning about their culture and the way they work, were able to just relate to them better. It really strengthens the relationship when youre working with them downrange.

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NATO partners conduct close air support exercise - Air Force Link

Speaker Paul RyanPaul RyanObamaCare replacement deal hits major speed bumps Poll: Dems have enthusiasm edge for 2018 Speaker Ryan must step up for Puerto Rico MORE (R-Wis.) praised the enduring alliance between the United States andUnited KingdomWednesday while calling on Britain to help combat Russian aggression through NATO, which he deemed essential.

So lets be clear: The actions of Russia are not the actions of a friend, Ryan said at the U.K. think tank Policy Exchange in London.

Ryan said his delegation recently visited other NATO states and stressed that the security organization is vital to their international security interests.

Please let there be no ambiguity here: NATO is essential. It has been and remains critical to the safety and security of the United States, Great Britain, and the world, Ryan said.

Ryan made the comments a week after President Trump drastically shifted his stance on NATO, saying he no longer thinks the organization is obsolete.

As Trump has done, Ryan urged NATO members to increase their defense funding.

"Member states should follow the lead of the U.S., U.K., Poland, Estonia, and Greece and contribute 2 percent of their GDP to defense spending. And we should enhance our lines of communication to ensure NATO countries receive the most timely, actionable information possible."

In the 28-member group, the U.S. is one of just five countries spending at least 2 percent of GDP on defense.

Ryan praised Trumps decision to order a missile strike on a Syrian air base where, officials say, President Bashar Assad organized a chemical attack that killed scores of civilians.

The strikes ordered by President Trump were appropriate and just. They demonstrate our resolve and refusal to stand on the sidelines as Assad slaughters his people and their children with the cruelest weapons known to man. You understand, as we do, that preventing the use of chemical weapons is a vital national security interest.

"So we must continue to work together the United States, Great Britain, and all of our allies to finally end this nightmare, Ryan said.

Ryan said Assads backers such as Iran and Russia must also be held accountable.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg met with Trump during a press conference last week to discuss the military alliance.

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Speaker Ryan in London: 'NATO is essential' - The Hill

The Social Democrat politician visited the island of Gotland this week to inspect the countrys military forces which were deployed in September last year.

Army bosses ordered 150 soldiers and tanks to the southern island off the Swedish coast urgently after Russia reportedly made a serious threat to national security.

Speaking to Aftonbladet, Mr Lfven said: We want to send a signal to anyone who is thinking about attacking our territories that it will be a painful [affair].

We are determined to defend Swedish territory, that includes defending Gotland island. That is why we are strengthening our defence capability.

AFTONBLADET

Swedish military has carried out a series of drills since September with anti-ship missiles to ward off any potential aggression towards them.

NATO and Sweden actively cooperate in peace and security operations, with Sweden joining NATOs Partnership for Peace in 1994.

Backing up the Swedish PMs statement, defence minister Peter Hultqvist said their military presence on the island sent a strong message.

He said: What we are doing in Gotland, and that we are allocating extra money in the spring budget, is a clear signal that Sweden has an ambition of defending the island.

We recognise Gotland has a strategic value and that whoever is in control of the island also has control over the sea and airways in relation to the Baltics. Gotland is also important for Finland and the Swedish mainland.

We are determined to defend Swedish territory, that includes defending Gotland island

Stefan Lfven

Swedens coastal defences were disbanded in 2000, but as global tensions are increasing yet again it was decided the Nordic nation needed to bolster up its border defences to ward off potential enemies of the state.

Late last year footage emerged to Swedish armed forces carrying out drills with SaabRobotsystem15 (RBS-15) anti-ship missiles.

The artillery was brought out of retirement along with several Scania trucks, after being kept on display at a local museum since the end of the Cold War.

Mr Hultqvist said: "It is extremely good that we have land-based coastal missile systems back in our national defence.

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Every member country, no matter how large or small, has an equal say in discussions and decisions. Photo shows: Signing the North Atlantic Treaty which marked the beginning of NATO, 1949.

"It means that we can shoot anti-ship missiles from land overgreatdistance.

"It provides increased flexibility and capability in marine warfare. It increases military capability, and that's something we need.

The decision to strengthen Swedens military capability came after Nato last year uncovered the Russian military had conducted a nuclear strike against Sweden during a series of war games.

In a Nato report for 2015, Russian jets, during a dummy nuclear attack, approached Swedish airspace and conducted the mock strike.

As Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general ofNato,disclosed the disturbing information, leaked documents from army chief Anders Brannstrom before a meeting with Swedish defence management said war with Russia could hit the country in a few years.

The report claimed Sweden should be ready for armed battle against a qualified opponent after morethan200 years of peace.

Mr Brannstrom said: "The security situation we are currently experiencing leads me to the conclusion that in the course of a few years we might be at war."

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Sweden's WAR MESSAGE to Putin: Nato partner bolsters army in latest warning to Russia - Express.co.uk

President Donald Trump's claim Tuesday that he's accomplished more than anyone at this point of a presidency flies in the face of history.

A look at a few of his statements at a Wisconsin tool company and an earlier interview with Fox:

Trump : "No administration has accomplished more in the first 90 days." At Snap-on headquarters, Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The Facts : Trump's legislative victories are minor , surpassed by those of a variety of high achievers in the White House. The concept of a president's first 100 days (a benchmark Trump reaches next week) started with Franklin Roosevelt, because he got so much done.

Taking office in the Great Depression, Roosevelt quickly declared a banking holiday to quiet panic, called a special session of Congress and won passage of emergency legislation to stabilize the banking system. He came forward with a flurry of consequential legislation that set the pillars of the New Deal in place within his first 100 days, "the most concentrated period of U.S. reform in U.S. history," say Alan Brinkley and Davis Dyer in The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency . No fewer than 14 historic laws were enacted in that time.

Trump's big agenda items, like his promised tax overhaul and infrastructure plan, have yet to reach Congress. His attempt to secure the borders from people from terrorism-prone regions is so far blocked by courts. And his first attempt to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's health care law failed in Congress.

Trump needn't look as far back as FDR to see a president who got off to a consequential start. Obama signed a $787 billion stimulus package into law in his first month, while also achieving a law expanding health care for children and the Lilly Ledbetter bill on equal pay for women in that time.

Like FDR, Obama came to office in an economic crisis, the worst since the Depression. Lawmakers from both parties were inclined to act quickly and did, even as they fought over the details of the big stimulus package that defined Obama's early days.

Trump : "I didn't soften my stance" on China. "Nobody's ever seen such a positive response on our behalf from China, and then the fake media goes 'Donald Trump has changed his stance on China.' I haven't changed my stance. China's trying to help us." Fox interview.

The Facts : It's hard to imagine a clearer switch in positions than the president's abandonment of his campaign pledge to declare China a currency manipulator, a move that would have set the stage for trade penalties. China had once devalued its currency to make its exports artificially cheaper, crowding out other countries' products, but in recent years has let market forces do more to shape currency exchange rates. Even as Trump railed against Chinese currency manipulation in the presidential campaign, there already were signs that China was taking steps to keep the value of the yuan from sinking further against the dollar.

Trump didn't let go of his accusation easily. As recently as April 2 he told The Financial Times that the Chinese are "world champions" of currency manipulation.

Trump , speaking about fellow NATO members, says he wants to "make sure these countries start paying their bills a little bit more; you know, they're way, way behind." Remarks in Kenosha.

The Facts : That's an oversimplification of NATO financial obligations. NATO members are not in arrears on payments. They committed in 2014 to ensuring that by 2024, they would be spending 2% of their gross domestic product on their military budgets. Most NATO countries are spending less than that now, and Washington is putting pressure on them to do more.

In any event, the commitment is for these nations to spend more on their own military capabilities, which would strengthen the alliance, not to hand over money.

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Fact Checking President Trump's Statements on China, NATO and His First 90 Days - Fortune

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Tuesday in Kenosha, WI at the world headquarters of Snap-on Inc., President Donald Trump called on House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), who is on a bipartisan congressional trip visiting NATO countries, to get members of NATO to pay their bills.

Trump said,And although he could not be here today, my thanks go to Speaker Ryan whos represented the city for nearly two decades in Congress. And you know where he is? Hes with NATO. And so he has a good excuse. And I said Ron, make sure these countries start paying their bills a little bit more, you know. Theyre way, way behind. We have to do well Im going to talk to you about that, Ron. But Paul, youre over with NATO, get them to pay their bills. I think that and Ron you have to work on that too.

Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN

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Trump to Paul Ryan: Get NATO to 'Pay Their Bills' - Breitbart News

Most of you will know what I mean when I note how old you begin to feel when the football players and the cops are younger than you are. How old do you think I feel now that the son of my best friend in Norway his son, mind you is the secretary general of NATO?

I met Secretary General Jens Stoltenbergs father, Thorvald, through international student politics in Columbus, Ohio, in 1953. His career skyrocketed through mayor of Oslo, defense minister, ambassador and foreign minister. Thorvald never got the top job of prime minister. Jens did. If youre one of those awful family scorekeepers please note that, owing to the vagaries of Norwegian politics, this doesnt mean that the son is a better politician or a stronger vote-getter than the father. It all depends on timing and which party is in power. Father and son are conceded to reside together at the top of Norwegian politics.

I was a firsthand, close-up witness to father Thorvalds risking his own life to rescue a group of 40 Hungarian refugees fleeing the Communists in 1956. As I read Thorvalds autobiography, I turned the pages breathlessly, eager to read his account of what took place on Christmas night on the border where Hungary and Austria meet. But Thorvald left that entire incident out! That quietly but totally illustrates the difference between Norwegian politicians and their glory-starved, glory-seeking and glory-thieving American counterparts.

Ive never met Jens, but I have fantasies of attending one of his press conferences somewhere and staggering him with my inside knowledge of things like the terrible car accident the family was involved in when Thorvald was ambassador to Yugoslavia, and the brutality of those fat-needle Yugoslav hypodermics they were subjected to, and was he aware at the time that the doctor had told Thorvald that Jens might not make it through the night?

As I watched Jens Stoltenbergs press conference with President Donald Trump last week it occurred to me that Norway, Denmark and the Baltic states are what I call the Never-Again wing of NATO, or the orthodox wing. Unlike Canada, the U.K., Spain, Turkey and other NATO members, those Scandinavian, Baltic and other members are true believers in collective defense, having been in this lifetime helpless against the bullying aggression and occupation by much stronger powers.

The question literally asks itself: Can NATO stop an aggressive Russia?

It depends on which Russia were talking about. If we mean the Stalinized Red Army with its real generals purged by a paranoiac Stalin and replaced with combat-illiterate Communist stooges, and if by Russia we mean that Red Army that ridiculized itself by the terrible time it had subduing little Finland, a country with a population half that of Chicago, then Yes, NATO will prevail. If, however, we mean the well-trained, winterized and well-led Siberian Red Army Stalin didnt bring into the war with Germany until his best spy in Japan assured him Japan had no intention of attacking the Soviet Union, and if by Russia we mean that army that stormed out of the far east and cut through the demoralized Nazi lines like a hot knife through oleomargarine, then we have a problem!

Oh, how Id love to be one of those legendary journalists whose whispered wisdom wins wars and saves nations. Im afraid I have but one little chiclet of advice for Jens and NATO.

I say get busy and popularize the mastery of firearms in all the NATO lands. I fired my first shots at the YMCA camp near Greensboro, North Carolina, at the age of 9! New York high schools used to have rifle teams! Switzerland not a NATO member but a NATO role model holds the annual Knabenschiessen, the German word for a boys shooting match (at which, since 1991, girls have competed also).

School the civilian population in firearms, and teach them to shoot not to kill, but to wound. It takes five enemy personnel to care for each wounded aggressor!

NATO has never been tested. A cobweb is as good as a cable if theres no strain upon it. Didnt Sun Tzu say that the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting?

Theres only one thing that would make me prouder than having Jens, Trump and the other good-guy leaders hold a triumphant parade after defeating a Russian attempt on NATO members.

And that would be for the Russians to take one look at NATOs readiness and capabilities and conclude that such an attempt would be a bad idea, or as a Lower East Side Sun Tzu might say, Fuggedaboudit!

And Putin can go to the gym and show us a few pushups instead!

Media wishing to interview Barry Farber, please contact media@wnd.com.

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NEW WORLD DISORDER - WND.com

Mareike Mller

Policy Researcher at Politheor: European Policy Network

Mareike Mller studies International Security and Political Economy at the LSE and Sciences Po. Prior to her studies she has gained professional experience among others at the World Health Organization, the German Development Agency GIZ and the Federal Foreign Office.

Increased contributions to NATOs budget might not significantly alter member states security situation the aggressive rhetoric around them could.

Rumour has it that at their much-discussed meeting in Washington, Donald Trump handed Angela Merkel an invoice, amounting to the alleged 300 billion US Dollars Germany owed the US for not living up to its NATO budget quota. Although both parties denied this happened, the news still sparked heated debates about NATOs budget and its relevance for security in Europe and the world. To fully understand the breadth and consequences of the discussion, a closer look at NATOs history and recent changes in military spending is needed.

NATO was established in 1949 as an intergovernmental military alliance to provide peace and security for its member states. Based on the principle of collective defence, last reiterated on September 12, 2001, the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations member states are committing to defend each other in case of an external attack. NATOs budget is to consist of two percent of the member states GDP leaving every member to contribute according to national capabilities. This rule was agreed upon in 2014, leaving member states until 2024 to fulfil this goal. Although experts doubt the accuracy of the measure to assess security efforts, debates persist already about some countries paying less, while others, the US in the first place, pay more.

Despite the current debate, Sean Kay from Carnegie Europe points out that most challenges to stability in and around Europethe Eurozone, refugee pressures, energy security, and terrorismhave little to do with conventional military spending. In fact, defence spending diverts resources necessary to meet these challenges. Still, rising challenges and insecurities cause increasing defence spending already. It is actually a strong sense of unpredictability that strengthens the will to secure ones nation against possible surprises regarding recent or potential political changes on both sides of the Atlantic just as much as rising instability in other parts of the world, leading to what some would argue is a redefinition of the post-cold war order.

For instance, for those smaller states at the borders of NATO, fear is rising about potential interventions, and them turning into the playground for disputes between Russia, China, and the US and Europe. In 2016, only Estonia, Greece, Poland, and Great Britain met NATOs two percent goal. Willingness to increase defence spending in the Baltic states is however going up. Secretary General Stoltenberg announced though that Romania too will meet the target this year, followed by Lithuania and Latvia in 2018.

While defence spending is not a predictor of actual security or insecurity, it is a crucial indicator of international tensions. In fact, most of the times rather than expenditures reflecting real threat, an upward spiralling effect leads countries to increase defence expenditures when their neighbours do so. Since Russias annexation of Crimea in 2009, the growth of the Islamic State, and the fear failed or failing states, like Syria, around the same time, defence spending around the globe is not decreasing, and unlikely to do so any time soon. In Europe, Germany is NATOs second largest financer of the civil and military budget, followed by the UK and France.

What economic consequences arise from this? Although increased military spending supports weapon and defence industries, which especially countries like France, Germany, India or South Korea profit from, also negative economic effects exist, which are more far reaching than it appears at first sight: protectionism, increasing nationalism, and a reduction of trust in the international system, combined with the fear of overall security problems, is at the root of crumbling transnational trust and hence increasing defence efforts. In a market-oriented understanding of international economics, the downward spiral of (perceived) insecurity and economic protectionism, manifesting itself in limits to trade, investment, and financial cooperation a prominent example are economic sanctions is thus hardly economically beneficial on neither side of the Atlantic.

Altogether, whether countries meet their NATO target or not does not matter for security what does though is the rhetoric around it. Words have the power to create security, or insecurity respectively. When Donald Trump demands increased spending in order for the US to continue protecting Europe, the real security threat is not NATOs limited budget or need for additional economic resources. Its an aggressive rhetoric that creates an ambiance of instantaneous insecurity and imminent threat, and sets the tone for future debate. Instead, Jan Techau suggest that stepping up defence capabilities consists not only of spending, but more defense cooperation, more shared threat assessments, and more leadership by hitherto reluctant nations. European leaders should hence continue to stay cool and deescalate.

Tags: Europe, NATO, Op-ed, security, United States

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The flawed rhetoric around NATO's two percent - Politheor: European Policy Network