Forbes | Trump Reminds Merkel What Germany Owes NATO Forbes President Trump has many vices, but subtlety is not one of them. In his usual Saturday morning Tweet storm, the president denounced reports that he had anything other than, a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House the ... |
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To the casual observer, the scene mightve looked like an odd cross between a reenactment of a past war and a demonstration of a future conflict. Elite special operators, some of whom were speaking foreign languages, were roving around the hills of West Virginia on foot, horseback, all-terrain vehicles, and by helicopter, while practicing specialized tactics, some of which are nearly a century old.
But this wasnt another remake of the movie Red Dawn or a weird time-traveling short story. It was a real life, routine exercise called Ridge Runner 2017 that occurred in February 2017. The particular group of participants including special operators from the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, all of whom are NATO members and certain practice sessions suggested the event had a lot to do with Russias increasingly revanchist polices in Europe.
Broadly, Ridge Runners purpose is to provide challenging, realistic, and meaningful training, the training programs official website says. In a changing world where global security threats are taking new forms in an increasingly swift and unpredictable manner, Ridge Runner is a training opportunity for [special operations forces] and [general purpose forces] to enhance their readiness to meet these missions.
The West Virginia Army National Guard runs the irregular warfare program for the benefit special operations forces and conventional troops, other government agencies, and sometimes American allies, all of whom who want to make use of the states unique Advanced Mobility Training Area. The facility is huge, covering approximately 500,000 acres of both public and private land, which state and federal authorities use under land agreements with the owners.
US Army
Special operators conduct a mock sensitive site exploitation during Ridge Runner 2017.
The entire setup provides a real, populated zone with various natural and man-made features for troops and police to practice both containing mock insurgencies and terrorist movements in friendly territory and working behind enemy lines with local forces made up of other troops and civilian role players. The Pentagon refers to the latter task of training irregular forces in foreign countries to conduct guerrilla warfare against hostile governments or occupying forces as unconventional warfare.
The 2017 iteration included members of the U.S. Armys 10th Special Forces Group, the West Virginia Army National Guard, and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, as well as the Baltic special operations forces. The West Virginia State Police also took part in the event.
Before Ridge Runner, during the Cold War, Green Berets had also trained in West Virginia as part of previous guerrilla warfare programs, including one known as Guerrilla USA. And the overall structure of newer training sessions, along with the practice area itself, shared many similarities with the Armys Special Forces capstone qualification exercise, nicknamed Robin Sage.
Held at various times throughout the year, Robin Sage puts the latest batch of Green Beret candidates through that unconventional warfare scenario set in the fake region of Atlantica that covers much of the United States eastern seaboard. The basic premise is that the trainees must support resistance forces in the Republic of Pineland North Carolina against invading forces from United Provinces of Atlantica, which stretches from Maine to Virginia.
US Army
The focus of Ridge Runner can be more varied, but the unconventional warfare tasks would be similar. During the 2017 iteration, troops and police conducted heli-borne raids against simulated militant camps and practiced hunting for insurgents with dogs, among other events. After assaulting the mock compounds, special operators trained on how to pick over the sites for possible intelligence, a skill known as sensitive site exploitation.
In addition, special operations forces learned how to perform less common military tasks. One of these events included covertly infiltrating into areas at night on horses. Some regions have roads that are too small for even small pickup trucks, if there are any roads at all, and animals might be the only mode of transport. American elite troops regularly practice how to utilize and care for both horses and pack animals like donkeys for specialized operations. In 2001, Green Berets famously rode around Afghanistan on horseback, supporting North Alliance fighters and fighting the Taliban.
Another task involved a nearly 100 year-old method of sending messages from hard to reach areas. During that practice session, elite troops strung a rope trapeze with the physical message between two poles. Contractors from Colorado-headquartered Rampart Aviation flew a de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter low enough that an individual in the back could grab the line with a grappling hook.
US Army
A contractor-operated de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter swoops down to pick up a message.
Pennsylvania dentist Dr. Lytle Schooler Adams invented this system in the 1920s. In 1937, he founded All American Aviation with the express purpose of picking up and delivering mail in remote regions. Between 1939 and 1949, his airline delivered approximately 75,000 pounds of mail to small towns and villages in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia, according to the National Postal Museum. Today, most people would know All American Aviation by its current name, U.S. Airways.
During World War II, Army aviators used the system to rapidly send orders and other information across the battlefield in lieu of radios. Early special operators also used the gear to deliver and recover equipment and intelligence from partisans and agents in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. On top of that, the trapeze arrangement proved useful for getting downed troop gliders back into the air and even snatching individuals right off the ground. In the 1950s, inventor Robert Fulton improved on the basic principle to create his famous Skyhook recovery device.
For a special operations team today, the method could be useful if enemy forces had either jammed or tried to intercept radio communications, threatening to expose friendly positions or reveal sensitive information. Russian troops have employed electronic warfare systems to great effect, coupled with their own special operations forces on the ground, while supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine and government security forces in Syria.
US Army
A special operator on horseback during Ridge Runner 2017.
And if the presence of the Baltic special operations forces was any indication, it appears that Ridge Runner 2017 may have been inspired by Russia in other ways, too. While the mock insurgencies and counterinsurgencies might reflect missions American forces, both conventional and special operations, might expect in their near future, for Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian operators it is a scenario they might be able to imagine in their own back yards.
After Russia invaded Ukraines Crimea region in March 2014, subsequently annexed the peninsula, and began supporting armed separatists fighting Kievs authority in the countrys eastern Donbas region, many of Russias neighbors worried they might be next. Semi-autonomous republics inside the Soviet Union until 1991, all three Baltic countries also have significant ethnic Russian populations who have at times agitated for greater freedoms and accused government authorities of trying to stamp out their culture.
Since their independence, Baltic officials continued to worry about Kremlin-backed political movements, insurgencies, or even an outright invasion. In 2004, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania all joined NATO in no small part because of these concerns.
A brief war in 2008 between Russia and Georgia only served to reinforce those fears. Georgia was another former Soviet republic that had been waging a low-level counterinsurgency campaign against pro-Russian groups. Authorities in Tbilisi decided to make a push to recapture the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but ended up routed by Moscows troops.
US Army
West Virginia State Police K-9 unit moves out.
Afterwards, in both of the de facto independent countries, the Russian Ruble became the official currency and citizens began to carry Russian passports, making it seem like total annexation was inevitable. The events in Ukraine, yet another former Soviet republic, only compounded the anxiety in the Baltic region.
Then, In September 2014, the Russian Federal Security Service, a successor to the Soviet KGB that is also better known by its Russian acronym, FSB, detained Estonian Internal Security Service officer Eston Kohver under suspicious circumstances. Moscow claimed Kohver had crossed the border was attempted to conduct an intelligence operation on Russian soil. The response from Tallinn was that the FSB had kidnapped him.
After a year in Russian hands, a show trial and a brief imprisonment, Kohver returned home as part of a prisoner swap. In a scene out of a Cold War spy drama, Aleksei Dressen, who Estonian authorities had charged with treason for working with the FSB, walked past Kohver on a bridge over Piusa River onto Russian soil.
US Army
Special operations forces assault a building during Ridge Runner 2017.
If a conflict with Russia or Russian-backed partisans were to break out in the Baltics, special operations forces would likely be key actors to either tackle anti-government groups or lead resistance against occupying forces. A stay-behind force led by special operators might be critical in the event of an actual invasion.
Thanks to the shared history of the Soviet Union, the capitals of present day Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are all less than 200 miles straight down a major highway from the Russian border. In Lithuanias case, the boundary is with Russias strategic enclave in Kaliningrad, which has significant forces permanently stationed within.
In February 2016, the RAND Corporation think tank released a shocking report suggesting that Russian troops could seize control of the seats of government in Estonia and Latvia within three days. More damning, according to the analysis, NATO would be hard pressed to stop the offensive or even counterattack, despite American efforts to improve their military capabilities near the alliances borders with Russia.
US Army
Baltic operators provide security during Ridge Runner 2017.
In 2014, President Barack Obama announced the beginning of the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI), which led to an uptick in training exercises, troop deployments, and aerial patrols along NATOs eastern flanks. The Pentagons dubbed the mission Operation Atlantic Resolve. In December 2016, American officials decided to accelerate the initial deployments of new rotating force packages in the Baltic States, Poland, and Romania. The first Army contingents began arriving the next month, which prompted Russian officials to say they would respond in kind to the "provocation."
But during the 2016 election campaign and after his victory and inauguration, President Donald Trump repeatedly stated his desire for better relations with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Even more worrisome to residents in Baltics was the language of one his most vocal supporters. I'm not sure I would risk a nuclear war over some place which is the suburbs of St. Petersburg, Republican politician and Trump surrogate Newt Gingrich said on CBS This Morning in July 2016.
Trumps election sent a shiver through the whole region, Eerik-Niiles Kross, an Estonian parliamentarian who formerly acted as the countrys intelligence coordinator, told The New York Times after the election in November 2016. So, Baltic officials may be inclined to prepare for any contingency, with or without American help.
Still, the lessons their special operations forces learned at Ridge Runner 2017 could only help with that type of planning.
Contact the author: jtrevithickpr@gmail.com
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U.S. And NATO Special Ops Just Fought a Fake Guerrilla War in ... - The Drive
An extra special duo of visitors in the shape of two NATO warships are visiting Belfast.
The trio, led by group flagship, Norwegian frigate Roald Amundsen and Spanish frigate ESPS Reina Sofia arrived in Northern Ireland on Thursday night at Pollock Dock for a brief port visit during which they will meet with local leaders as well as enjoy a mini break in Belfast this weekend.
The ships are part of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) and fresh from completing their participation in the UKs tri-service multinational exercise Joint Warrior 17-1 (JW 171) off the north west coast of Scotland.
Read more: Belfast hosting fleet of Nato warships for the weekend
During that exercise the ships worked with nearly 30 highly capable warships and submarines from more than 10 allied and partnering countries.
The idea of the exercise Joint Warrior is to provide a range of scenarios and unique challenges to the command team, and to each ship, giving the ships and crews opportunities to sharpen their warfighting capabilities.
Commodore Ole Morten Sandquist, Commander SNMG1, exercised command over three additional warships during the exercise; Danish command and support ship HDMS Absalon and HDMS Vaedderen as well as German oiler FGS Bonn.
He described it as challenging training for the group.
Joint Warrior was very well planned and executed, he said.
It provided a range of challenging scenarios that could realistically be encountered in operations.
Together with professional and highly skilled counterparts, it gave us challenging and good training for use in a combined joint task force. We entered the exercise as a group of ships at a high level of readiness but left in even better shape. I am very pleased with the outcome of the exercise.
SNMG1 is one of four standing maritime forces composed of ships from various allied countries. These vessels are permanently available to NATO to perform different tasks ranging from participation in exercises to operational missions. They also serve as an oncall maritime force as a part of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF).
SNMG1s main area of operation is to the North Atlantic, including the Baltic Sea. Their main objective is to provide immediate maritime capability to the NATO Alliance, enhancing maritime situational awareness, demonstrate solidarity, conduct routine diplomatic visits, exhibiting forward presence and contributing to operational interoperability among Allied naval forces to support greater regional security and stability.
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NATO warships dock in Belfast for brief Northern Ireland visit ... - Belfast Telegraph
NATO marked the International Day for Mine Awareness on Tuesday (4 April 2017), observed annually to highlight the deadly threat that mines pose to civilians lives and nations development. NATO has a strong track record in humanitarian demining, working with partners ranging from Ukraine to Afghanistan, and from Georgia to Egypt. To date, the Alliance has helped destroy more than 5 million anti-personnel landmines, as well as 642,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance.
Over the years, NATO has also trained thousands of experts in explosive ordnance disposal and counter-IED techniques. Following the March explosion at the Balaklia arms depot, NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme is providing personal protection such as bomb suits and demining equipment, as well as communication systems to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
The NATO SPS Programme is also working in close cooperation with partner countries to develop advanced mine detection technologies to ensure a better, safer and more efficient demining process. Examples include: subsurface radar technology in Ukraine; devices suitable for demining in the Egyptian desert; and techniques tailored to under-water mine detection in Montenegro.
The United Nations General Assembly declared in 2005 that 4 April of each year shall be observed as The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
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Protestors wave Turkish national flags as they shout slogans during a demonstration late on March 11, 2017 in front of the consulate of the Netherlands in Istanbul.(Photo by AFP)
Turkey and the Netherlands have been moving on a collision course, with the events of the past few days testing the two NATO member states diplomatic relations. Press TV has asked investigative journalist David Lindorff to offer his analysis of how the current crisis is going to play out in light of Turkeys strained ties with the European Union.
Lindorff believes that the simmering tension between Turkey and the Netherlands is a sign that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is falling apart.
It is fascinating because if you recall Turkey and the Netherlands are both members of NATO. What we are seeing is signs of a fracturing of NATO gradually, particularly when it comes to Turkey which is being viewed increasingly negatively by most of the other NATO nations in Western Europe and particularly the original NATO nations, he stated.
Lindorff also noted that NATO is already under a lot of strain, and therefore a real blowup between two members was the last thing this organization needed.
So it really looks to me like the beginning of things falling apart, both for NATO and for the EU, he said.
Turkeys EU accession talks have largely failed since the country formally applied to be part of the European Union several decades ago. Late last year, the European Parliament voted to suspend membership negotiations with Turkey over human rights and rule of law concerns. The vote was largely symbolic.
The analyst further noted that there are several impediments to Turkey becoming a member of the European Union such as the death penalty and the crackdown on press, not to mention that a lot of Europeans are also becoming disenchanted with the whole notion of a wider EU.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is creating a kind of dictatorial situation by enhancing his executive powers, Lindorff said in reference to the upcoming constitutional referendum which seeks to extend the presidents mandate and give him wide-ranging political powers.
So a one-party rule and a very powerful executive [branch] kind of flies in the face of what the post-World War II tradition is in Europe. So it is really pushing things. The more power Erdogan tries to pull into his own hands, the harder it is to have Turkey in the EU, he said in conclusion.
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'Turkey-Netherlands tension sign of NATO breakup' - Press TV
However, the first country ofthe former Soviet bloc tojoin NATO was de facto the German Democratic Republic in1990. By agreeing tothe reunification ofGermany, Moscow secured commitment that the West would not deploy troops onthe territory ofthe former East Germany and NATO would not expand tothe east.
Then-German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher assured his Soviet counterpart Eduard Shevardnadze: "For us, it stands firm: NATO will not expand itself tothe East."
AFP 2017/ JANEK SKARZYNSKI
Meanwhile, inthe first half ofthe 1990s, the United States and the European Union were inno haste toadmit the three former Socialist countries intothe alliance. However, finally a way intoNATO forthem was opened.
In 1997, six years afterthe dissolution ofthe Warsaw Treaty Organization, then-NATO Secretary General Javier Solana announced that the alliance decided toinvite Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary toadmission talks.
Madeleine Albright, NATO and Eastern Europe
Many Russian political analysts agree that American politician and diplomat Madeleine Albright played a key role inthe integration ofthe former Warsaw Treaty countries intoNATO.
In 1993, Albright became Washingtons Ambassador tothe UN and in1997 she was appointed asSecretary ofState.
Speaking inthe Senate inApril 1997, Albright said: "Russia would likeus tomake absolute commitments aboutthe deployment ofnuclear and conventional forces onthe territories ofnew members. But we will not compromise onthis issue," Albright said.
The State Secretary noted that the US did not plan todeploy nuclear weapons toprotect Eastern Europe. She added that NATO would not permanently station "substantial combat forces" inthe region.
First Expansion
In the second half ofthe 1990s, relations betweenRussia and the West were relatively warm and Moscow did not regard the NATO enlargement asa direct military threat. In 1998, then-Russian Foreign Minister Evgeniy Primakov said it was rather a psychological problem.
"There are some real issues, and there is also the psychological factor. It should be considered. Russia is underpressure because the alliance is expanding and nearing our borders. At the same time, the Founding Act onRussia-NATO ties helped ease tensions," Primakov said.
Moscow was concerned overthe pace ofthe NATO expansion. In fact, the admission ofPoland, the Czech Republic and Hungary was fast-tracked.
What is more, the fast pace ofintegration was dictated bythe upcoming military operation inYugoslavia. The first bombs were dropped onMarch 24, 1999, just 12 days afterPoland, the Czech Republic and Hungary became NATO members.
Moscow was outraged withNATOs intervention ofYugoslavia. Foreign Minister Primakovs plane made the famous U-turn overthe Atlantic, marking the beginning ofa new stage inRussia-NATO relations.
Bargaining Chip
In Russia, there is a common notion that NATO is a monolith organization. In fact, there have always been differences withinthe alliance. During the Cold War, its unanimity was cemented withthe "Communist threat." But afterthe Soviet bloc collapsed, NATOs unity shattered.
Sputnik/ Sergei Guneev
In the mid-2000s, Warsaw and Prague turned a blind eye onmass protests and agreed onthe deployment ofcomponents ofthe US global missile shield. Launched in2001 byPresident George W. Bush, the initiative was regarded asa threat byMoscow.
Finally, the efforts ofthe Polish and Czech government toprove their loyalty toWashington backfired. In 2009, Barack Obama became US President and adjusted the strategy towardsWashingtons allies inEastern Europe, thus, showing their real role inUS foreign policy.
"The Russia connection is simply that we're working and indeed, a number ofcountries incentral Europe are working toreset the relationship withRussia," US National Security Advisor Antony Blinken said in2009.
Thus, Washington indicated that Poland, the Czech Republic and other former Warsaw Treaty states were just a bargaining chip inUS-Russia relations.
Disputes Over Russia
Oddly enough, NATOs unity has been further undermined bythe situation aroundRussia. The Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria do not want a confrontation betweenthe West and Moscow.
Moreover, Czech President Milos Zeman has repeatedly called forthe removal ofanti-Russian sanctions and underscored the importance ofdialogue withMoscow.
New Bulgarian President Rumen Radev is also known asa vocal critic ofthe Western anti-Russian approach. Despite the fact that Radev is pro-European and pro-NATO, he insists that West-Russia ties cannot be based onconfrontation.
"Bulgaria is a loyal member ofNATO and the EU. Historically and culturally, Bulgaria has always been a European country. It has chosen a stable and unswerving path ofpro-European development. We shall not stray fromit. We want toassert ourselves asa most reliable NATO partner. But that does not mean we have tobe an enemy toRussia, a country we have important economic interests with," Radev said inan interview withLe Monde inDecember.
In an interview withRT, Ivan Konovalov, a senior analyst atthe Russia Institute forStrategic Studies, noted that NATO has found itself ina stalemate.
"Western Europe and the US do not want tosponsor Eastern Europe, and Eastern Europe does not have money torestore its defense capabilities. The situation is further complicated withcalls toend confrontation withRussia," Konovalov said.
The expert suggested that Eastern European states have not gained their desired benefits fromNATO integration.
"The armed forces offormer Warsaw Treaty members are indecay. Their Soviet-made military hardware is poorly maintained, and they do not receive new equipment. Moreover, they cannot cooperate withRussia, they do not wage wars. So, it is unclear what is the reason forthem tobe inNATO," Konovalov said.
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Stars and Stripes | NATO forces harmonize the big guns - News - Stripes Stars and Stripes When two or more allied armies work together, synchronization is crucial if artillery is to have a maximum impact and if catastrophic friendly fire is to be avoided. |
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NATO and the US have warned Kosovo against its plans to transform its security force into a regular army. The alliance and Washington have promised to thwart cooperation with Kosovo if it sets up the army without a constitutional change.
NATOs chief, Jen Stoltenberg, said on Wednesday that he spoke to Kosovo leaders to convey the serious concerns of NATO Allies about recent proposals by the Kosovo authorities to transform the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an armed force, without a constitutional change.
He warned that in case Kosovo goes ahead with the transformation, NATO will have to review its level of commitment, particularly in terms of capacity-building.
The US embassy in Kosovo, issued a similar statement, saying that adoption of the current proposed law would force us to re-evaluate our bilateral cooperation with and longstanding assistance to Kosovos security forces.
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"We support the gradual, transparent transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into a multiethnic force in line with NATO standards. However, this transformation should be done in accordance with the Kosovo Constitution and through an inclusive and representative political process that reflects Kosovos multiethnic democracy, the US embassy added.
NATO attacked the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in 1999 to aid the ethnic Albanian insurgency in Kosovo. The breakaway province unilaterally declared independence in 2008, with the backing of the US and other Western powers.
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, who led the 1999 insurgency, said he was determined to go on with the army creation plan, adding there is no turning back.
READ MORE:Albanias diaspora plans to seize Serbian mission in US or Europe Serbias foreign minister
The KSF will be transformed into a Kosovo army," Thaci told US government-funded Radio Free Europe. Western Balkans is endangered from the Russian military bases in Serbia, from Russia's MIG jets in Serbia and from the Russian military exercises in Serbia.''
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has thanked NATO for its stance on the matter in a phone conversation with Stoltenberg, Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS) reported. Vucic added that he expected help and support from the EU, the US and Russia over Kosovos move, which would violate the breakaway provinces UN-written constitution and UNSC resolution 1244.
READ MORE:Serbia to get 6 Russian MiG-29 fighter jets soon Defense Ministry
Any constitutional amendment can only be made in Kosovo if ethnic minorities in its parliament vote in its favor. Thaci believes that ethnic Serbs will never vote for establishing an army.
Kosovos lightly armed security force, formed in 2009, has now around 4,000 regular and 2,500 reserve forces, trained and supervised by NATO. KSF possesses no heavy weapons, like tanks or heavy artillery.
Thacis plan implies increasing regular forces up to 5,000 and reservists to 3,000. There are no plans for departure of some 4,500 NATO-led international troops, part of a mission deployed in Kosovo since 1999.
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After accusing German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the campaign trail, of "ruining Germany" by welcoming refugees, US President Donald Trump will have his first face-to-face meeting with the German leader at the White House on Tuesday.
The two are expected to discuss strengthening the NATO alliance, collaborating in the fight against terrorism and taking steps to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, White House officials said Friday.
More broadly, Trump's first encounter will be aimed at building a personal rapport with a European partner who was among former President Barack Obama's strongest allies and international confidantes, according to the officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity despite the president's recent criticism of anonymous sources.
They are expected to discuss Germany's level of defense spending for the NATO alliance, the Ukraine conflict, Syrian refugees, the European Union and a host of other issues, said three senior administration officials who briefed reporters.
"My expectation is that they'll have a very positive, cordial meeting," said one of the officials.
Trump has long expressed a desire for warmer US relations with Russia but some of his top Cabinet officials are skeptical.
"The president will be very interested in hearing the chancellor's views on her experience interacting with Putin," said another official. "He's going to be very interested in hearing her insights on what it's like to deal with the Russians."
NATO and defense spending
White House officials said Trump would also discuss the need for NATO members to increase their defense spending.
"We are heartened by the German government's determination to reach NATO's benchmark of committing 2 percent of GDP to defense by 2024," the official said. "The president believes that all allies must shoulder their share of the defense burden."
In 2014 NATO's 28-member countries committed to reaching the spending target within a decade but only the US and four other members of the post-World War II military alliance are in compliance.
Trump referred to NATO as "obsolete" prior to his inauguration. Buthe has since told European leaders he agrees on the "fundamental importance" of the alliance.
Last month US Vice President Mike Pence reassured European leaders on the US commitment to NATO. German MEP David McAllister told DW that Pence's words were reassuring.
Many European allies have been rattled by Trump's positive statements about Putin and next week's meeting will come amid questions about Trump associates' connections to Russia.
Climate change
The White House said Trump and Merkel might also discuss the Paris accord on climate change. Trump vowed during his campaign to withdraw from the climate agreement, suggesting that global warming is a hoax created by the Chinese.
But the administration is still formulating its policy on the issue ahead of the G7 meeting in Italy in May.
bik/se(AP, Reuters)
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Trump and Merkel to talk NATO, Ukraine and climate change - Deutsche Welle
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21:32 11.03.2017(updated 21:43 11.03.2017) Get short URL
The report, which contains chapters written byformer NATO commanders James Stavridis and Philip Breedlove, recommends that NATO extend its naval presence inthe North Atlantic too.
Breedlove expressed concern that Russia has developed "offensive long-range, high-precision capabilities and is building high-end maritime capabilities that could deny NATO members freedom ofmaneuver atsea," Stars and Stripes reported.
"As we look tothe future we need tothink more broadly and tore-emphasize the maritime domain. NATO must put the North Atlantic Ocean back onits agenda. We must have command ofthe sea," Breedlove wrote.
Breedlove, a four-star United States Air Force General who retired asSupreme Allied Commander ofNATO forces inEurope last year, is a known war hawk. He has previously called forNATO toincrease its military presence inEurope and forthe US to supply lethal weapons toKiev touse ineastern Ukraine.
Nikolai Topornin, an associate professor ofEuropean Law atthe Russian Foreign Ministry's Moscow State Institute ofInternational Relations, told Radio Sputnik that the latest report is another attempt towhip upanti-Russian hysteria withthe aim ofincreasing NATO's naval presence.
"The man has simply set himself the task oftelling everyone that Russia was violating some kind ofstrategic standards, is strengthening its military presence, including naval and may constitute some kind ofthreat," Topornin told Radio Sputnik.
An increased naval presence inthe North Atlantic Ocean would add toNATO's increased land presence atRussia's western borders.
In January, the US transferred its largest contingent oftroops and military equipment toEastern Europe sincethe end ofthe Cold War.
In addition, onFebruary 16 NATO defense chiefs approved the intensification oftraining exercises and drills inthe Black Sea and greater co-ordination betweennational navies and the permanent NATO task force inthe region.
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18:04 11.03.2017(updated 18:08 11.03.2017) Get short URL
"Since sending Italian soldiers [to Latvia] could be considered a provocation againstRussia, this move should be banned ina country that rejects war inits constitution," the petition said.
Speaking to Sputnik Italy, prominent Italian blogger Tommaso Longobardi, one ofthose who initiated the petition, said that "we created this document so that those Italians who consider this decision dangerous and unjust could express their opinion."
Longobardi recalled that the Italian Constitution clearly states that "Italy rejects war asa means ofencroaching onthe freedom ofother peoples and asa means ofresolving international conflicts."
AFP 2017/ JANEK SKARZYNSKI
An Italian soldier displays his country's new army weapon during an Army Equipment exhibition on the sideline of the NATO summit in Riga, Latvia. File photo
"Nevertheless, our government is resorting tospeculation about 'strengthening the protection ofthe eastern and central countries ofthe alliance,' using the magic word 'defense' tomask a clear provocation againstRussia," he said.
He lamented the fact that "this petition does not have legal force", butsaid that "it has a huge symbolic meaning because: people who signed the petition belong todifferent political parties."
"By signing it, they expressed their indignation overthis government initiative," Longobardi said.
"Although the Italian media did not react tothe petition, a whole array offoreign newspapers contacted me, and I must thank them forgiving me the opportunity toshare the views ofthousands ofItalians withother countries," he relayed.
"This is why I believe that the petition has justified its goal forit proved that many Italians do not agree withthe government's decision," he pointed out.
He also said that he does not share the viewpoint ofBeppe Grillo, leader ofItaly's Five Star Movement party, that the country's government allegedly seeks to "drag Italy intowar."
"I do not think that our government wants tounleash a war, rather, it simply does not have any authority outsideItaly, which is why and it has toblindly stick toNATO's policy," Longobardi added.
He also said that even though the petition will be sent toItalian President Sergio Mattarella, he is unlikely toheed the opinion ofthe Italians.
Last year, Tancredi Turco, a member ofthe Italian national parliament, told Sputnik that an announcement that Italy is set tosend its troops tojoin a NATO mission inLatvia is "an alarming sign" because the alliance continues its approach towardsRussia's border.
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WICHITA FALLS, TX - The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program's steering committee meets twice a year -- one of those times at Sheppard Air Force Base.
"I'm just coordinating all of the effort that all the nation and the representatives from all of the nations are doing during the meeting. We'll just discuss frankly and honestly of what the problems are and we can find a solution that speaks to all nations," Italian A.F. Brig. Gen. Vincenzo Nuzzo, Steering Committee Chairman, said.
There are 13 NATO countries involved in ENJJPT, which are responsible for guiding what the committee does.
"They fund us. They provide the leadership that allows us to determine what our training should be for our pilots that we have here. So, when we do a steering committee, the members of each of those countries will come together and meet and discuss what we have been accomplishing and what they would like us to be able to do in the future," Colonel Gregory Keeton, 80th Flying Training Wing Commander, said.
And, it is possible a new NATO partner was in attendance this week.
"The update is actually another nation, Romania, is probably coming on-board. We are very delighted about that and, you know, we have developed new and we are looking into new training programs just to keep our pilots to receive the best training as possible," Gen. Nuzzo said.
As far as what leaders think about the NATO alliance -- after questions by President Donald Trump surrounding its cost for America compared to what other countries pay.....
"I think it is vital. In my opinion, this program is an excellent example of NATO actually paying for what they do and paying their fair share. It's a great opportunity for the tax payer and the United States to share the burden with a lot of the partners that come in here because they pay for things like runway repair -- anything that we need for the program that's accomplished is paid for by partner funding," Col. Keeton.
They said a vital alliance -- with one its key programs housed at Sheppard.
Leaders predict Romania will join the training program before the next committee meeting in September. They believe that nation will make ENJJPT even stronger and secure in the future.
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Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a news conference after a EU Summit at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in March. Photo by Eric Vidal/Reuters
WASHINGTON After accusing German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the campaign trail of ruining Germany by welcoming refugees, President Trump will have his first face-to-face meeting with the German leader at the White House on Tuesday.
The two were expected to discuss strengthening the NATO alliance, collaborating to fight terrorism and taking steps to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, White House officials said Friday.
Trumps first encounter will be aimed at building a personal rapport with a European partner who was among former President Barack Obamas strongest allies and international confidantes, according to the officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity despite the presidents recent criticism of anonymous sources.
Merkel, however, will need to look past Trumps past comments, when he accused her of ruining Germany because of her acceptance of refugees. Trump often claimed that his Democratic presidential rival, Hillary Clinton, was running to be Americas Angela Merkel and argued that Germany was in the midst of crisis.
White House officials said Trump would press Germany to set an example on the need for NATO members to spend more on defense, which Germany has resisted. NATOs 28-member countries committed in 2014 to spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense within a decade but only the U.S. and four other members of the post-World War II military coalition are in compliance.
Trump referred to NATO as obsolete prior to his inauguration. But, he has since told European leaders he agrees on the fundamental importance of the military alliance, a message that was reinforced by Vice President Mike Pence during his recent trip to Europe.
The meeting with Merkel will also allow Trump to discuss peace efforts in Ukraine. Pence and other U.S. officials have said Russia must adhere to a 2015 deal to end fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
White House officials said Trump was eager to hear Merkels views on her interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many European allies have been rattled by Trumps positive statements about Putin and the meeting will come amid questions about Trump associates connections to Russia.
The White House said the two leaders may also discuss the Paris accord on climate change. Trump vowed during his campaign to withdraw from the climate agreement, suggesting that global warming is a hoax created by the Chinese to hurt U.S. competitiveness. But the administration said it is still formulating its policy on the issue ahead of the G7 meeting in Italy in May and the G20 gathering in Germany in July.
READ MORE: Americans divided on whether to allow refugees into the country, poll says
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Trump and Merkel to discuss NATO, terrorism in next week's meeting - PBS NewsHour
General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee stressed his gratitude for Jordans contributions to NATO-led operations over many years when he visited Amman, Jordan on 7-8 March 2017. During the trip, the Chairman met with the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces, Lt General Mahmoud Freihat and the Director of the Military Intelligence Directorate, General Emad Adaileh.
Jordans participation in NATO exercises, its active and valuable contribution to NATO-led operations, as well as NATOs Defence Capacity Building (DCB) assistance to Jordan were discussed by the Generals. The Chairman stated, NATO is committed to strengthening NATO - Jordanian relations. Jordan is a key partner - both a security provider and a security contributor.
During the Generals meeting with General Emad Adaileh, regional security challenges and threats were discussed as well as their worldwide impact. The Chairman welcomed the discussion as Jordan has a wealth of expertise and experience and in todays complex world, sharing information and cooperating closely is key when addressing global threats.
While in Jordan, General Pavel also delivered opening remarks at the NATO Science for Peace and Security Border Security Symposium. Only through existing relationships, expanding networks, and cooperation with multilateral security organizations can we guarantee our collective peace and security, stated the Chairman.
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NATO - : Chairman of the NATO Military Committee: NATO and ... - NATO HQ (press release)
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Thursday, Sen. John McCain underscored the need for the Trump administration to address growing tensions between Turkey and Syrian Kurds.
McCain, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, expressed his concerns while addressing the commander of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, during the hearing, according to The Hill.
Unless something changes, I foresee a train wreck here, and Im not sure that the administration recognizes how seriously, particularly, [Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan views the threat that the Kurds pose, McCain said.
The recent uptick in clashes has concerned U.S. officials as the Pentagon considers plans for retaking the ISIS stronghold and de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria.
U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds and NATO ally Turkey have both played a role in the U.S.-led coalition to defeat ISIS. But the Kurds and Turkey have been clashing recently, as Turkey views Syrian Kurds as aligned with the PKK, a Kurdish separatist group in Turkey. Kurdish forces, also known as the YPG, are viewed with no distinction from the PKK by the Turkish government and Turkey has labeled the PKK as a terrorist group, according to the Atlantic Council.
The United States has worked directly with the YPG in both Syria and Iraq, and Syrian Kurds are considered to be the U.S.-led coalitions most effective ground partner in Syria. During the siege of Kobani in late 2014 and early 2015, YPG forces directed U.S. airstrikes, many of which were being launched from ncirlik Air Force Base in Turkey.
Recently, U.S. forces in Manbij in northern Syria have acted as a barrier between Kurdish and Turkish forces. Manbij was retaken from ISIS control by Kurdish and Syrian Arab forces last year.
During the siege of Kobani in 2014, tensions between Turkey and the Kurdish were a concern. On a recent trip to Turkey, McCain met with Erdogan, where the Turkish leader expressed a strong opposition of the U.S. working with Kurdish forces in Syria.
Im not sure theres an understanding of how seriously Erdogan views this issue, and Im not sure we appreciate the role that Turkey plays in our effort to retake Raqqa, particularly in the use of Incirlik [Air Base] and other activities that require Turkish cooperation, McCain said.
Gen. Votel agreed with McCains concerns when asked during the hearing. We are trying to take actions to prevent [conflict] from occurring, he said.
Votel told reporters after the hearing that he believes the increased U.S. presence is helping to encourage both sides to focus on defeating ISIS, rather than fighting one another.
Im pretty confident the situation in Manbij, where we are located, is stabilizing, said Votel. The whole idea here, is keep people focused on the mission at hand, which is defeating ISIS, he added.
As with fighting in Mosul, Iraq, current plans for Raqqa will require cooperation between varying forces in defeating ISIS. It is very likely that as the offensive begins, Kurdish fighters will near Turkish forces. As the U.S. works towards a plan for Raqqa, it does not want to have to keep the peace between the two groups, while trying to engage ISIS.
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McCain warns of fighting between NATO ally Turkey and US-backed Kurds in Syria - Military Times
Palm Springs' Richard Grenell is reportedly in line to be Trump's pick as the next ambassador to NATO.(Photo: Courtesy of Grenell)
Richard Grenell was recently passed over as President Donald Trumps pick to the United Nations, but could be tapped for another roleambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO.
A Fox News contributor and resident of Palm Springs, Grenell would be the highest-ranking openly gay member of the Trump administration. Bloomberg reported the news on Tuesday.Grenell did not return a message seeking comment Friday.
For President George W. Bush, Grenell served under four U.S. Ambassadors to the U.N. and went on to work briefly on Mitt Romneys 2012 presidential campaign as a national security adviser. Hes parlayed that political and foreign policy experience into a consulting firm with offices on the east and west coasts.
READ MORE:Ric Grenell ads look to women, LGBT community
In recent years, Grenell has been critical of both Russia and the Obama administration, advocating, for instance, that the U.S. provide arms to the Ukrainian government. Obama resisted those calls in Congress, saying he didnt want to antagonize Russia a world view that Grenell described in the New York Times as nave and dangerous.
If you dont want war then you better be the advocate for diplomacy with muscle, Grenell wrote in February 2014.
Later that year, Grenell argued in a Foxop-ed that the U.S. military was the most powerful deterrent against Vladimir Putins offensive maneuverings in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. In fact, Putins unfettered offensive to reclaim Russias lost empire has convinced him that the European Union and the United States are unwilling to stop him.
He called on the U.S. to restart the missile defense shield programs in Poland and the Czech Republic that had been previously promised.
READ MORE:Trump taps a governor over Palm Springs' Ric Grenell
Trump made waves on the campaign trail when he called NATO, a nearly 68-year-old intergovernmental alliance, obsolete, questioning its security guarantees and ongoing cost. His allies, Grenell included, said Trump was negotiating, as a businessman does, and more interested in reform. The U.S. in 2016 contributed about $2 billion towards the alliance military budget, or about a fifth of the total cost.
Trump has softened his position since winning the election, saying NATO is very important to me." Defense Secretary James Mattis, whos described the alliance as essential for American security, has called on othermembers to contribute more money.
Jesse Marx covers politics. Reach him at jesse.marx@desertsun.com or @marxjesse on Twitter.
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Palm Springs' Ric Grenell could be in running for NATO post - The Desert Sun
Now that we have our sweet, sweet brackets for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, it's time to take a closer look at theweight classes. We'redoing a deep dive into eachdivision, rolling out previewsone at a time, so you can pour over and digest everything before thefirst whistle in St. Louis on March 16.
First was 125;now we move on up to 133.
Nahshon Garrett owned this weight class last year, going a perfect 37-0 on his way to an NCAA crown after bumping up from 125, where he wrestled the previous year. This year, Ohio State's Nathan Tomasello looks to follow a similar trajectory.
Like Garrett, Tomasellobulked up, having spent the last two seasons at 125. Also like Garrett, Nato is undefeated and the No. 1seed going into this tournament (one of 10 undefeated No.1 seeds; we will see one of those in each weight class).
However, unlike most of the other weight classes, our top-seeded wrestler at 131 did not start the season at the top. That honor belonged to Iowa senior Cory Clark. He is one of several contenders looking to stop the junior Buckeye from becoming a two-time NCAA champion.
We'll take a look at those contenders next, followed by dark horses and a full set of predictions and analysis (2017 NCAA tournament seeds in parentheses).
Tomasello just finished winning his third straight Big Ten title. Meanwhile,Seth Gross and Kaid Brock both just wrestled in the finals of the Big 12 Championships, where Gross emerged the victor after a wild 9-7 slugfest.
A returning finalist,Clark has been dogged by a shoulder injury all year long, but when he's wrestled he's been competitive with the best of the division, losing to the No.1-, No. 3-, and No.7-seeded wrestlers by a combined five points.
StevanMicic rounds out our list of contenders. The Wolverines sophomore is wrestling the best he has all year, getting revenge against Illinois seniorZane Richards at last weekend's Big Ten Championships bybeating him twice in convincing fashion.
Two of our dark horses come from the sneaky good Mid-American Conference, which is sending another five qualifiers to St. Louis in what is nationally a very deep weight class. Both BryanLantry and JoshAlber are sophomores with high ceilings and indefatigable motors. If either of them get on a roll, he isgoing to be trouble for higher-seeded guys in hisway.
ScottDelvecchio is more of a true dark horse, spending most of the year outside the top 20. He's revving up at the right time, however. Though he only placed ninth at the Big Ten Championships, the two losses he suffered were to No.1 Tomasello and No.8Richards by a total of just four points.
I also think Brock will avenge his Big 12 finals loss in the semis against Gross and score more precious team points for the Cowboys. Who knows if the team score will even be a factor at this point in the tournament, but you can bet that Oklahoma State head coach John Smith will have his 133-pounder primed for the big stage regardless.
Check out Brock putting away two-timeAll-American Earl Hallin anentertainingBig 12 semifinals bout: Additionally, I think Stevan Micic will get by Cory Clark in a heroic quarterfinal contestbut then fall to Nato in the semis. Micic willget to third place-match where he'll see Gross, who advances to the consolation finals after falling to Brock inthe semis. I think Gross comes out on top here and places third.
Lehigh juniorScotty Parkermissed a good chunk of the seasondue to injurybutlooked ferocious while winning an EIWA championship last week. He'll beat Richards in a mild round-of-16 upset before getting bounced into the consis by Nato in the quarters, where he'll thenrun into, and get the better of,Clark.
I seeParker takingfifth over Dom Forys, who famously did not place in the Pennsylvania state championships his senior year of high school. But Dommore than makes up for it this year atNCAAs with a commendable sixth-place finish and All-American honors.
Dark horse Josh Alber makes it past his MAC nemesis, John Erneste, and finds his way to the 7/8 placement match, where the veteranClark will be waiting for him. Clark ends his incredible Hawkeyes career on a positive note, taking seventh, while the young Panther finishes eighth and begins preparations for next season.
Think you can make better picks? There's a very good chance you can! Here's the 133 bracket. Let me know what you think, and enjoy the championship, wrestling fans!
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He even cracked wise for a short moment, joking about the bond between the U.S. and Norway. Part of the Norwegian-American experience is to think about the past, and he's got nothing against going to Minot and eating lutefisk, he said, drawing laughs from a group of several dozen attendees.
"But I would also like people to know contemporary Norway," he said.
Dorum is a former member of Norway's Parliament, as well as a former justice minister and transportation and communications minister. The lion's share of his remarks Thursday were about Norway's relationship with NATO and Russia. He characterized Russia as a quiet, consistent threat with a military that's been revitalized by President Vladimir Putin. He traced Norway's relationship with Russia back through the Cold War and all the way to Norway's membership in NATO in the late 1940san alliance he described as critical and deeply dependent on the U.S. for credibility.
"During the Cold War, (Norway) was a peaceful place," he said. "But if there had not been peace, it would have been close to destruction."
NATO has been in the spotlight since Trump's election to the White House. The president previously called NATO "obsolete," though he since declared his support for the alliance. The president has continued to demand that member nations contribute more to the organization.
"We strongly support NATO," Trump said last month. "We only ask that all of the NATO members make their full and proper financial contributions to the NATO alliance, which many of them have not been doing. Many of them have not been even close. And they have to do that."
Concerns about Trump's attitude toward NATO have been amplified by recent unsubstantiated reports of connections between his campaign and Russia and suggestions that Russia interfered in the presidential election.
Dorum offered a range of comments on the Trump administration on Thursday, both during his remarks and to the Herald in an interview after his presentation. He praised the credibility of key Trump appointments such as Secretary of Defense James Mattis and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.
He also said he thinks it's reasonable that NATO countries pay their fair share, and he made apparent reference to Trump's suggestion the U.S. "get along" with Russia.
"If it is possible, by some means, to lessen some tensions, that is good," Dorum said.
He said he's standing firm though that the NATO treaty agreementthat nations stand ready to support and defend one anotheris binding. Norway has to be able to count on the U.S. for support, he said.
"If you want some dialogue in addition to deterrence, that's fine with me," Dorum said. "But if you want to put dialogue instead of deterrence, that's dangerous. I'm a strong supporter of D and Ddeterrence and dialogue."
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Norwegian politico Odd Einar Dorum remarks on Trump, Putin ... - The Dickinson Press
An organisation, society or country can only succeed if it uses the full potential of all of its members men and women, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, marking the occasion of International Womens Day on Wednesday (8 March 2017). He stressed that equal participation of men and women is a core security requirement, essential to the resilience of societies, to the effectiveness of NATO forces and to achieving and preserving peace.
NATO strongly supports the global women, peace and security agenda. The Alliance has integrated gender perspectives in its three core tasks collective defence, crisis management and cooperative security. NATO works to promote womens rights in training and operations, and in our assistance for partners, such as Jordan, Georgia and Ukraine. The appointment of NATOs Special Representative on Women, Peace and Security Ambassador Marriet Schuurman demonstrates the importance of these issues.
Today, NATO has more women in leadership positions than ever before as ministers, senior officials and military commanders. A quarter of NATO Defence Ministers are women, six of 28 NATO Ambassadors are women, and last year, the Alliance welcomed its first female Deputy Secretary General, Rose Gottemoeller. NATOs Joint Force Command in Naples is also led by US Admiral Michelle Howard, a four-star officer, and US Army Brigadier General Giselle Wilz is the first woman to head NATO HQ Sarajevo. Canadas most senior female military officer, Lt.-Gen. Christine Whitecross, is currently commandant of the NATO Defense College in Rome.
The Secretary General has highlighted that making the best potential of both men and women makes NATO stronger and better prepared to deal with current security challenges. I look forward to the day when not just a quarter but half of NATO ministers are women; I am sure that time will come, said the Secretary General.
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NATO - News: NATO marks International Women's Day, 08-Mar.-2017 - NATO HQ (press release)
Stars and Stripes | NATO forces harmonize the big guns Stars and Stripes A big goal of the exercise was to promote Artillery Systems Cooperation Activities, a software-based program used by five NATO nations to digitally communicate real-time, linking their field artillery and command and control systems. ASCA is a common ... |
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