NATO units set for Lithuania and five other eastern member states

[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/news/nato-to-incr...amid-russian-activity-stoltenberg-800884.html
The redeployment term for at least 300 thousand troops will be reduced from 6 months to 2.


NATO is to force up the battle readiness for at least several hundred thousand of its troops, the Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Times.

The principal aim is to reduce terms for the redeployment of a NATO contingent in the crisis situation from 6 months to at least 2.

These measures proved themselves necessary because of Russia's unprecedented military activity in the world, the top Alliance official said. With Russia increasing its military power, holding exercises and increasing its expenditure on propaganda, NATO can't avoid getting itself ready to meet any threat, Stoltenberg also claimed.



"We respond to this with the greatest consolidation of our collective defence since the end of the Cold War", the Secretary said.

Stoltenberg did not note, how many troops the Alliance are ready to get prepared for a quicker response to a probable Russian aggression, but the total amount of increased combat readiness contingent may reach 300,000, according to the British representative at NATO Adam Thomson, the BBC reports.

These troops are planned to be used as reinforcements for already created high combat readiness troops, that can be redeployed to the battlefield within days.

An additional contingent may include multinational forces, Stoltenberg also claimed.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.businessinsider.com/euro...inians-are-hastily-emplacing-fixed-defenses-1

Russia continues to issue threats to countries on its borders — most notably those with significant populations of ethnic Russians like Georgia and Ukraine which have already felt Moscow’s wrath in recent years.

But many European countries have reduced their spending in the decades since World War II, so preparing for a potential war with their aggressive and highly militarized neighbor is not as simple as giving their soldiers MREs, bullets, and marching orders.

And while the US helps guarantee the security of NATO members, a recent analysis by the RAND Corporation indicates that many countries on the eastern front could be swallowed up long before American reinforcements could arrive. Some countries, like Estonia, could be conquered in as little as 60 hours, analysts say.

Here’s what eight countries in Eastern Europe are doing to get ready for the war they hope never comes:

Norwegian soldiers prepare for a stalking event during the 2016 Best Sniper Squad Competition in Germany. The team went on to win the overall competition.

Ukrainians are hastily emplacing fixed defenses

Ukraine is the one state on the list who is currently engaged in a war with Russia. While its troops have fought limited groups of Russian “volunteers,” Ukraine’s top generals are worried about a full-scale air attack and ground invasion.

To prepare, Kiev is digging trenches and emplacing fixed defenses like tank traps and bunkers. It also practiced maneuvering mobile air defenses and other units. Finally, Ukraine is planning a massive expansion of its navy to replace many of the ships captured by Russia in the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Servicemen march during Ukraine's Independence Day military parade in central Kiev, Ukraine, August 24, 2016.Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Estonia is training a guerrilla force to bleed Russian occupiers dry
Estonia fields an army of only 6,000 soldiers and fully expects to be overrun within days if attacked by Russia, an outcome that the RAND Corporation agrees with. But Estonia plans to make the Russians regret ever acre they took.

The nation is hosting “military sport” contests and encouraging citizens to keep weapons in their homes. The sports events include 25-mile ruck marches, evasion exercises, plant identification, and others which test skills useful for an insurgent force. Over 25,000 Estonians have joined the weekly drills.

Estonian soldiers take part in NATO military exercise Hedgehog 2015 at the Tapa training range in Estonia May 12, 2015.REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

Latvia is training up a “home guard” and investing in special operations

Latvian soldiers drive their armored combat vehicles into position during a joint training exercise with U.S. troops on Oct. 31, 2016, in Adazi, Latvia.US Army

Like Estonia, Latvia is bullish on training citizens to resist an invasion. It is moving forward with plans to allow “home guard” member to keep their weapons and night vision devices in their homes. It's also betting heavily on special operations forces, tripling the size of the National Armed Force Special Operations Forces.

Like most NATO members, it's also trying to get more NATO troops on its soil to deter Russian aggression in the first place. Britain is already sending troops for exercises, and Denmark and France have promised forces as well.

Lithuania has distributed a civil defense book to its citizens which details how to survive a Russian invasion that includes a phone number which residents can call to report suspected Russian spies. It is also planning to restart military conscription for men between the ages of 19 and 26.

Norway

A member of the Norwegian Special Forces looks on during a sea patrol around a Norwegian frigate that docked at Limassol, Cyprus, on December 14, 2013Andreas Manolis/Reuters
Norway officially acknowledged that it believes Ukraine was illegally occupied by Russia during a state visit to Ukraine on October 18. Russia later added Norway to its list of targets for “strategic” weapons. Russia uses the word “strategic” to differentiate between conventional and nuclear-capable forces.

Norway has invited more NATO troops, including U.S. Marines, to train there. It’s also stepped up its intercepts of Russian aircraft flying near its shores. Norway’s F-16s now maintain a 24-hour alert. The country is also re-opening Cold War-era bases in the far north.


Poland is buying massive amounts of equipment, including new subs

A member of Poland's 1st Mechanized Battalion of the 7th Coastal Defence Brigade looks through binoculars as he takes part in a military exercise with the U.S. 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division near Drawsko-Pomorskie November 13, 2014. Kacper Pempel/Reuters

Poland, which is considered to be one of the more hawkish NATO members, has been warning of a threat from Moscow for some time. For the past few years, it has championed regional security agreements with its neighbors and worked hard to ingrain itself with NATO.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland has ramped up the purchase of military hardware such as new, stealthy submarines and Polish-manufactured S-70 helicopters for its special operations soldiers.

Finland and Sweden are securing defense agreements with the UK and US

flickr user: Eoghan OLionnain
Finland and Sweden are countries which famously prefer to avoid alliances, but Russian aggression has spurred an interest in limited defense agreements which will make it easier for NATO troops to deploy to those countries in the event of war.

The UK and US signed two contracts each with Sweden and Norway, and all four agreements have different details. But, the broad strokes are that all four countries will increase their interoperability by holding joint training exercises as well as participating in research, development, and procurement projects.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.army.mil/article/177936/the_biggest_ammo_shipment_in_20_years_arrives_in_germany
By Sgt. 1st Class Jacob McDonaldNovember 8, 2016

NORDENHAM, Germany - The largest single Army-run shipment of ammunition to Europe in more than two decades, more than 600 shipping containers worth, arrived in Germany Oct. 29.

The Army and Air Force ammunition arrived at the port in Nordenham, Germany, where it was loaded onto trains and shipped to Miesau Army Depot, Germany, for storage and distribution.

"The shipment by itself is special because it's over 620 containers," said Lt. Col. Brad Culligan, commander, 838th Transportation Battalion, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. "We continue to build up the presence in Europe. This will help with reassuring our allies, along with the common defense of Europe if needed."

Reassuring European allies by increasing the readily available ammunition also increases the readiness of U.S. forces stationed in Europe.

"This is about deterrence," said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general, U.S. Army Europe. "We could have 1,000 tanks over here, but if we didn't have the ammunition for them, they would not have any deterrent effect. It's another example of the commitment of the United States to security and stability in Europe."

Culligan, who oversaw the transfer of the cargo from the ship to trains said the mission required an immense amount of coordination from multiple entities.

"The ship actually belongs to Military Sea Lift Command," Culligan said. "It's a Military Sea Lift Command vessel that is crewed and manned by Military Sea Lift personnel underneath the U.S. Navy. We are moving Air Force ammunition as well as Army ammunition, so it is truly a joint mission here that is being worked from all levels, from battalion and all the way through the (21st Theater Sustainment Command) and to higher headquarters back in the United States."

Hodges, who was present for the arrival of the first trainload to Miesau, reflected on the joint nature of the endeavor, adding that German support was a key factor to getting the ammunition where it needed to go.

"The fact that the ammunition came from Nordenham port by rail all the way to Miesau is only possible because our ally, Germany, allows it to happen," Hodges said. "So it's another way that Germany contributes to deterrence ... by enabling the movement of ammunition and equipment inside Germany for the United States Army."

He also praised the Soldiers, civilians, contractors and German local national employees who made the mission a success.

"I am so impressed with the quality of the workforce out here," Hodges said.

Personnel at the depot began unloading and breaking down the shipment for storage or movement to other locations as it arrived. The Ammunition will later be moved to various locations throughout Europe.

"It's the ultimate theater sustainment," Culligan said. "We're bringing ammunition into the theater to resupply and set the stage for the European theater for any type of exercises or potential future missions that may come about."

A container full of ammunition is offloaded from the U.S. Naval Ship Lance Cpl. Roy M. Wheat Oct. 29 at Nordenham, Germany. More than 600 containers of mixed munitions, the largest Army-run shipment in more than 20 years, arrived at the port and were moved to Miesau, Germany for storage and distribution throughout Europe. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jacob McDonald)

A driver at the port of Nordenham, Germany places a container of ammunition onto waiting train cars. More than 600 containers of mixed Army and Air Force ammunition was shipped to Germany and moved to Miesau Army Depot for storage and distribution across Europe. This is the largest Army-run ammo shipment in Europe for more than 20 years. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jacob McDonald)

A train pulling cars of Army and Air Force ammunition moves out of the port Oct. 29 at Nordenham, Germany for movement to Miesau Army Depot, Miesau, Germany. More than 600 containers of ammunition arrived at the port and were shipped to the depot for storage and distribution throughout Europe. This is the largest Army-run shipment of ammunition to Europe in more than 20 years. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jacob McDonald)'

 

[Hindustani78]

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201611151047455900-eu-army-nato-trump/

EU Foreign Ministers have agreed to set up a rapid reaction force that will involve EU Battlegroups, "air security operations" and "maritime security or surveillance operations," to work alongside NATO, which is facing serious questions following criticisms from US President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump argued throughout the hustings in the presidential campaign that Europe is not paying its way within the alliance and has questioned why the US pays so much into an organization he described in March as "obsolete".

His remarks sparked major worries in Eastern European NATO member states — including Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland — which are calling for more military support in the face of what they perceive to be the threat from Russia.

However, calls for an EU army, running separately from NATO, have been slammed by pro-alliance supporters — notably Britain — as well as by NATO itself, which sees any supplementary force within Europe as an unnecessary duplication.

European Forces

Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has dismissed European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's plan for a European army as a "paper tiger," while the current NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said: "Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States."

However, EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels November 14-15, have agreed to the creation of "joint crisis management operations […] joint stabilization operations, including air and special operations; Civilian and military rapid response, including military rapid response operations inter alia using the EU Battlegroups as a whole or within a mission-tailored Force package […] Air security operations including close air support and air surveillance; Maritime security or surveillance operations, including longer term in the vicinity of Europe."

In an attempt at distancing itself from criticism for setting up a parallel operation to NATO the EU's High Representative/Vice-President Federica, Mogherini said:

"It it not about a European army. It is not about creating a new European Union SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe)-style headquarters. It is not about doing the European Union territorial defense. For this NATO is there; for those that are Allies and others have their own national defense competences."

Despite this, she said the substance of the plan is about providing the European Union with the "capabilities, the structures, the tools and the financial resources that are needed to fulfil the level of ambition we identified […] deepening defense cooperation through the European Defense Agency," according to the final document agreed by the ministers.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201611191047631837-france-deploy-soldiers-tanks-estonia/
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — France will deploy 300 military personnel and 5 Leclerc main battle tanks, as well as infantry combat vehicles to Estonia in 2017, Estonian Defense Ministry said Saturday in a statement.

"[French Defense Minister] Jean-Yves Le Drian assured [Estonian Defense Minister] Hannes Hanso that Paris would send to Estonia 300 soldiers, five Leclerc main battle tanks and infantry combat vehicles next year," the ministry's statement said. The two defense chiefs met on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum, currently underway in Canada, where top military leaders, experts and journalists discuss security issues.

The NATO military alliance declared at a July summit it would move forces to Poland and the three Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The UK pledged in October to send additional 800 soldiers to Estonia as well as tanks, drones and armored vehicles.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/press/latvians-keep-calm-but-also-keep-weapons-close-dw-816638.html

Latvian defence spending is rising as Riga watches shifts in US and Russian policies


The Latvian parliament passed a budget that will see the country's spending on defence rise from 1.4 percent of GDP this year to 1.7 percent next year and then up to the magic NATO number of 2 percent in 2018. Defence spending is one of the major factors US President-elect Donald Trump said he'd be looking at while gauging his enthusiasm for NATO's Article 5 obligation, which calls for the entire alliance to respond to attacks on a single member.

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics doesn't appear too concerned yet. He's been repeatedly asked in recent weeks whether his country will be the scene of "World War Three," as so many headlines claim.

"Everyone outside Latvia should calm down," he said with a smile. "This is not going to be another Ukraine. It's not going to be another kind of 'hotspot' or problem spot for Europe."

The foreign minister noted that increases in Latvian defense spending started long before any of Trump's threats about downsizing NATO. "We take our commitment [to NATO] seriously," he said, "and we don't have any reason to doubt" the United States will too, in case of what he calls a "contingency."

He has multiple reasons to feel confident, 1,000 or so of them in the form of international troops to be stationed in Latvia early next year as NATO stands up a new battlegroup in each of the Baltic states and Poland. Latvian Defense Ministry State Secretary Janis Garisons said the new Canadian-led battlegroup makes clear to any potential attackers "our troops are here and if needed, more will come."

 

[Hindustani78]

https://sputniknews.com/military/201611301048019193-lithuania-armoured-carriers-purchase/

18:29 30.11.2016
(updated 19:03 30.11.2016)

Lithuania’s land force units have purchased 168 upgraded German M577 armoured personnel carriers, the country’s Defense Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

VILNIUS (Sputnik) — According to the ministry, the carriers are set to be delivered in several phases in 2017-2018, while the procurement also includes maintenance tools, spare parts and equipment for the crew.

"The Lithuanian Armed Forces is buying command, indirect fire support, medical evacuation and training M577 armoured personnel carriers in good technical condition that will fill in the shortages of armoured vehicles in the Lithuanian Land Force," chief of the Logistic Support Command Lieutenant Colonel Ramunas Baronas said as quoted in the statement. The contract worth 1.6 million euros ($1.7 million) was signed in Vilnius earlier in the day.

The country’s armed forces are currently using M113 armoured tracked vehicles, which are similar to M577 carriers.

************

https://sputniknews.com/military/201611301048024710-us-military-support-poland/

20:11 30.11.2016(updated 20:19 30.11.2016) Get short URL

The Redzikowo Naval Support Facility (NSF) has opened in Poland, with a Polish battalion providing security for an accompanying US ballistic missile defense system, the US Navy announced in a press release on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The release explained that the facility will support the missile defense system, which is now under construction, with security, safety and housing for service members.

Once complete, missile defenses in Poland will improve coverage against medium- and intermediate-range threats from outside the European-Atlantic region, the release added.

"As a persistent shore presence for the US Navy in Europe, NSF Redzikowo will cooperate with the host nation and Polish forces to strengthen relationships in order to increase peace and security throughout the region," the release stated.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/politics/nato-to-hold-excersises-in-norway-near-border-with-russia-846108.html

Up to 10,000 NATO troops will participate in exercises

NATO military exercises will be held in March 2017 in the Norwegian province of Finnmark sharing borders with Russia, the NRK outlet reports.

According to the sources, upcoming drills will be the largest ones held in the province since 1967, with up to 10,000 of the Norwegian, American and British personnel engaged in exercises.

"The Finnmark exercises are meant to practice rapid redeployment of combat units from the bases in Southern Norway and the city of Tromso to the country's north," the Armed Forces unified staff official Ivar Moen.

The Russian side has been preliminary informed about the drills, and they will be held far away from the Russian border, so there should be no reason to be paranoid about feeling provoked, he also added.


Previous NATO exercises have been held in the Norwegian province in 2014.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.businessinsider.com/us-d...amid-record-high-tensions-with-russia-2016-12
Monika Scislowska, Associated Press

The United States is deploying troops to Poland, the Baltic states and Romania next month as part of raising the security of the region, Polish and U.S. defense officials said Wednesday.

Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz made the announcement following talks with the commander of U.S. land troops in Europe, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, in Zagan, western Poland. An Armored Brigade Combat Team from Fort Carson, Colorado will be deployed there early next month, while another U.S. force, a battalion, will be deployed April 1 to Orzysz, in the northeast.

Macierewicz said he was "very happy that a decision has been taken by the U.S. side for an earlier deployment."

But the U.S. Army told The Associated Press that the deployment was not accelerated and is taking place as had always been scheduled.

Hodges said the troops will arrive in the German port of Bremerhaven on Jan. 6 and will be immediately deployed to Poland, the Baltic states and Romania. Their transfer will be timed and treated as a test of "how fast the force can move from port to field," he said.

"I'm confident in the very powerful signal, the message it will send (that) the United States, along with the rest of NATO, is committed to deterrence," Hodges said.

He said the armored brigade has already moved out of its Colorado base and is loading on ships.

"I'm excited about what my country is doing and I'm excited about continuing to work with our ally, Poland," Hodges said.

The United States is sending about 600 soldiers to Poland and the three Baltic states for infantry exercises, the Pentagon said, one of its highest-profile steps yet to reassure NATO allies after Russia's seizure of Crimea. Kacper Pempel/Reuters

In a separate decision, the members of NATO at a July summit in Warsaw approved the deployment of four multinational battalions to Poland and the Baltic states to deter Russia. Germany will lead a multinational battalion in Lithuania, with similar battalions to be led by the United States in Poland, Britain in Estonia and Canada in Latvia.

Poland and the Baltic nations have been uneasy about increased Russian military operations in the region, especially after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, and have requested U.S. and NATO troops on their soil as a deterrent. The alliance and the U.S. insist the

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/us-military-completes-112-million-face-lift-in-estonia
By: The Associated Press, December 15, 2016 (Photo Credit: Vitnija Saldava/AP)

TAPA, Estonia — The United States military has completed investments worth $11.2 million to upgrade an Estonian NATO army base as a part of a U.S. commitment to the alliance's eastern flank, which faces increasing tensions with Russia.

Maj. Gen. John Gronski said Thursday the face-lifts at the Tapa army base symbolized the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's "strength and resolve" in the Baltics.

Updated amenities include new sniper and machine gun ranges, maintenance facilities and a train loading area.

Located 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of the Estonian capital of Tallinn, the base recently has hosted American military units for training exercises. Next year it will become the main base for 800 British infantry and 300 French troops.

 

[Hindustani78]

News headlines

http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=4&id=722909

December 19, 2016 12:35

NATO-Russia Council meeting about to begin in Brussels

BRUSSELS. Dec 19 (Interfax) - The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) meeting is about to begin at the NATO Brussels headquarters, a diplomatic source told Interfax.

This is the third NRC meeting this year.

NATO froze practical cooperation with Russia in the civilian and military areas in April 2014 due to events in Ukraine. The alliance said though that the NRC would continue to operate in order to keep 'channels for political dialogue' open.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last week that today's NRC meeting would be devoted to security in Europe, including Ukraine.

According to Russian Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko, Russia hopes for a frank discussion of current security levels in Europe taking into account the various factors affecting it, "which, obviously, include the implications of NATO enlargement on the 'eastern flank'."

Stoltenberg will make a video address after the meeting, a source at the NATO headquarters told Interfax earlier.

 

[PeaceGen]

if its within the alliance then its needed to protect from non alliance states.

i think it's more to protect Europe from aggressive political moves by NATO officials, moves that provoke the Russians into an "ambush" of those reserved NATO troops...
headache after headache, those NATO ambitions to expand all the way onto Russia's western border ... ...

News headlines

http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=4&id=722909

December 19, 2016 12:35

NATO-Russia Council meeting about to begin in Brussels

BRUSSELS. Dec 19 (Interfax) - The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) meeting is about to begin at the NATO Brussels headquarters, a diplomatic source told Interfax.

This is the third NRC meeting this year.

NATO froze practical cooperation with Russia in the civilian and military areas in April 2014 due to events in Ukraine. The alliance said though that the NRC would continue to operate in order to keep 'channels for political dialogue' open.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last week that today's NRC meeting would be devoted to security in Europe, including Ukraine.

According to Russian Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko, Russia hopes for a frank discussion of current security levels in Europe taking into account the various factors affecting it, "which, obviously, include the implications of NATO enlargement on the 'eastern flank'."

Stoltenberg will make a video address after the meeting, a source at the NATO headquarters told Interfax earlier.

Good that such a platform (NRC) exists..

Can we please install plenty of curbs/hurdles that slow down escalation-into-war paths?.. Thank you!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rene Veerman <rene.veerman.netherlands@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2016 at 3:54 PM
Subject: Re: The Cold War seems restarted allright..
To: NOS <reacties@nos.nl>, VandaagDeDag <tips@vandaagdedag.nu>, CNN <worldnews@cnn.com>, CIA <info@cia.gov>, NSA <nsapao@nsa.gov>, info@whitehouse.gov, Mossad <info@gov.il>, info@groenlinks.nl, christenunie@tweedekamer.nl, sgp@tweedekamer.nl, info@vvd.nl, info@pvv.nl, info@50pluspartij.nl, info@sp.nl, info@pvda.nl, d66@tweedekamer.nl, Donna Marrozos <redactie@3fm.nl>, info@volkskrant.nl, redactie@volkskrant.nl, info@telegraaf.nl, redactie@telegraaf.nl, info@trouw.nl, redactie@trouw.nl, info@nrc.nl, redactie@nrc.nl, info@parool.nl, redactie@parool.nl, "Team Nieuws.nl" <redactie@nieuws.nl>, redactie@ad.nl, gastbijdrage@sargasso.nl


Please make sure those curbs/blocks to large-scale-warfare are installed, people.. (that includes you, media outlets)..
A war 'far away in far-eastern-europe' that you let degrade into war that hurts many civilians as collateral damage, means muchos bad karma to the ones (you! and me!) who were/are in a position to (help) prevent it, in my opinion..

https://defence.pk/threads/nato-uni...ern-member-states.356516/page-17#post-9025539

 

[Hindustani78]

i think it's more to protect Europe from aggressive political moves by NATO officials, moves that provoke the Russians into an "ambush" of those reserved NATO troops...
headache after headache, those NATO ambitions to expand all the way onto Russia's western border ... ...

United States Military have already declared that Russian Federation is having the largest missile interceptor and launchers and majority of those are close to Eastern Europe and Arctic regions.

Good that such a platform (NRC) exists..

Can we please install plenty of curbs/hurdles that slow down escalation-into-war paths?.. Thank you!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rene Veerman <rene.veerman.netherlands@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2016 at 3:54 PM
Subject: Re: The Cold War seems restarted allright..
To: NOS <reacties@nos.nl>, VandaagDeDag <tips@vandaagdedag.nu>, CNN <worldnews@cnn.com>, CIA <info@cia.gov>, NSA <nsapao@nsa.gov>, info@whitehouse.gov, Mossad <info@gov.il>, info@groenlinks.nl, christenunie@tweedekamer.nl, sgp@tweedekamer.nl, info@vvd.nl, info@pvv.nl, info@50pluspartij.nl, info@sp.nl, info@pvda.nl, d66@tweedekamer.nl, Donna Marrozos <redactie@3fm.nl>, info@volkskrant.nl, redactie@volkskrant.nl, info@telegraaf.nl, redactie@telegraaf.nl, info@trouw.nl, redactie@trouw.nl, info@nrc.nl, redactie@nrc.nl, info@parool.nl, redactie@parool.nl, "Team Nieuws.nl" <redactie@nieuws.nl>, redactie@ad.nl, gastbijdrage@sargasso.nl


Please make sure those curbs/blocks to large-scale-warfare are installed, people.. (that includes you, media outlets)..
A war 'far away in far-eastern-europe' that you let degrade into war that hurts many civilians as collateral damage, means muchos bad karma to the ones (you! and me!) who were/are in a position to (help) prevent it, in my opinion..

You doesnt have any capablities to curb/block me or Indian Media outlets. ISRO, NSA, Indian Military intelligence all are aware who write for what ?

here the only bad karma is with those who doesnt want to understand what really soveriginity and territorial intregity means . Being an Indian , i am well aware what is needed to be done is to stop the PR against those nations who are fighting a rightous war.

 

[PeaceGen]

United States Military have already declared that Russian Federation is having the largest missile interceptor and launchers and majority of those are close to Eastern Europe and Arctic regions.





You doesnt have any capablities to curb/block me or Indian Media outlets. ISRO, NSA, Indian Military intelligence all are aware who write for what ?

here the only bad karma is with those who doesnt want to understand what really soveriginity and territorial intregity means . Being an Indian , i am well aware what is needed to be done is to stop the PR against those nations who are fighting a rightous war.

Thanks for your input. It's all news to me, maybe i'll do a bit of googling on the subjects you speak about to update myself.

 

[Hindustani78]

Estonia is one of only five NATO members currently meeting 2% of GDP target


http://uatoday.tv/politics/estonia-increases-defense-spending-warily-eyeing-russia-850418.html

Estonia's parliament voted on Monday to approve a 7.6 % increase in state budget expenditure for next year, in part to bolster its military amid growing tension in the Baltic region, Reuters reports.

To reinforce Estonia's security, lawmakers set 2017's defense spending at a record 2.2 % of GDP or 477 million euros - up from 2.07 percent forecasted for 2016.


It includes extra spending for hosting NATO troops on rotation in Estonia since tensions rose over Russia's actions in Ukraine in 2014.

After Russia's annexation of Crimea, the Baltic Sea states have seen Russia increase the size, scope and frequency of its military exercises and operations in the region, prompting increased military spending by most of the Nordic and Baltic States.


Only five of the 28 NATO member countries — the U.S., U.K., Poland, Greece and Estonia — currently meet the alliance's 2 percent of GDP target.

Russia last year invested more than 5 percent of its GDP in defense, but that figure is expected to drop to just 3 percent due to the country's economic woes, according to CNBC.

Worries in the three Baltic NATO member states that Russia might act to grab them back by force, were stoked by Trump's remarks in July that he would consider their contributions to the alliance first before coming to their defence.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia also depend on NATO to police their airspace, and expect the alliance to deploy ground troops next year to deter Russia.