NATO’s Largest Exercise In Decades, ‘Steadfast Defender’, Gets Underway January 24, 2024
Introduction:
(Eurasia Review) Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, began on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 as the dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States and following a series of operations will commence her transit across the Atlantic.
The departure of USS Gunston Hall marks the first tactical movement of Steadfast Defender 24. His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Charlottetown, will depart Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for Europe later this month.
Planned over the course of several years, Steadfast Defender 24 will highlight NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce the defence of Europe.
“The Alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area via trans-Atlantic movement of forces from North America,” said General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). “Steadfast Defender 2024 will be a clear demonstration of our unity, strength, and determination to protect each other, our values and the rules-based international order.”
Steadfast Defender 24 will take place in several locations, with associated exercises running until May 31, 2024.
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Naval Station Norfolk, January 24, 2024, commencing operations for Steadfast Defender 2024, NATO’s largest exercise in decades. Photo Credit: NATO
Turkey votes in favor of Sweden's NATO membership after months of delay
Source: Washington Post (gift link)
ISTANBUL — After 20 months of demands, obstruction and delay, the Turkish parliament on Tuesday night voted in favor of Sweden joining NATO, clearing one of the final hurdles for a major expansion of the military alliance set in motion by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan still needs to sign the ratification document.
Assuming he does, Hungary would be the last remaining holdout. Officials there have previously signaled they would not, ultimately, stand in the way. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced, somewhat cryptically, that he had invited the Swedish prime minister to visit to “negotiate on Sweden’s NATO accession.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson appeared to respond only to the Turkish vote, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “Today we are one step closer to becoming a full member of NATO. Positive that the Grand General Assembly of Türkiye has voted in favour of Sweden’s NATO accession.”
Poland signs 'military Schengen' deal alongside Germany and Netherlands
09/02/2024 - 15:40
Poland continues to grapple with internal and external security challenges, and Russia's behaviour remains the top concern.
Poland has joined the so-called 'military Schengen' agreement, a European initiative aimed at streamlining troop mobility among participating states.
The agreement, also signed by Germany and the Netherlands, is both a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine and a concrete step towards better European security, guaranteeing a swift aid corridor for Ukraine and facilitating future mobilisation on NATO's eastern flank.
According to the Polish minister of defence, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the conflict in Ukraine has underscored the importance of rapid troop mobilisation. Daphne Bergsma, the Dutch ambassador to Poland, stressed that military mobility is central to in addressing growing geopolitical challenges.
Poland, which is a neighbour to both Russia and Belarus, remains deeply engaged with both internal and external security challenges, with the government particularly focused on the threat from Russia.
Trump says he would 'encourage' Russia to attack Nato allies who don't pay their bills
25 minutes ago
Donald Trump says he would "encourage" Russia to attack any Nato member that fails to pay its bills as part of the Western military alliance.
He said he had once told a Nato leader he would not protect a nation behind on its payments if it came under attack from Russia, and would "encourage them to do whatever they hell they want".
Members of Nato commit to defend any nation in the bloc that gets attacked.
The White House called the comments "appalling and unhinged".
Speaking during a rally in South Carolina on Saturday, Mr Trump said he had made his comments about Russia during a meeting of leaders of Nato countries.
Time_Traveller wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 5:37 amTrump says he would 'encourage' Russia to attack Nato allies who don't pay their bills
25 minutes ago
Donald Trump says he would "encourage" Russia to attack any Nato member that fails to pay its bills as part of the Western military alliance.
He said he had once told a Nato leader he would not protect a nation behind on its payments if it came under attack from Russia, and would "encourage them to do whatever they hell they want".
Members of Nato commit to defend any nation in the bloc that gets attacked.
The White House called the comments "appalling and unhinged".
Speaking during a rally in South Carolina on Saturday, Mr Trump said he had made his comments about Russia during a meeting of leaders of Nato countries.
Support Grows For Rutte As Next NATO Boss, But Eastern Europe Still Lurking by Aurélie Pugnet
February 25, 2024
Introduction:
(Eurasia Review) Public support from the West is growing for the Dutchman Mark Rutte to become NATO’s next secretary-general, but he will still need to secure crucial support among members from Eastern Europe.
The outgoing Dutch prime minister has been a top contender to take over Jens Stoltenberg’s spot at the helm of the Western military alliance for months now and even become an “official candidate”, meaning he is seriously looking for support.
His path toward the NATO top job seemed to straighten significantly on Thursday (22 February) when Washington, London, and Berlin expressed their official backing, the first public support since he entered the race.
But it was quickly overshadowed by reports that Romanian President Klaus Iohannis could also throw his hat into the race.
Pundits in Romania suggest Iohannis is looking for a job as he has served two five-year terms and cannot run for president again when his term ends in December.
Sweden Clears Final Hurdle in Bid to Join NATO after Hungary Approves Accession
by Joshua Berlinger and Stephanie Halasz
February 26, 2024
Introduction:
(CNN) Hungary’s parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden’s bid to join NATO on Monday, clearing the way for the Nordic nation’s accession to the alliance after nearly two years of intense negotiations and dealing a geopolitical blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the parliament press office said.
Getting approval from the Hungarian parliament was the final hurdle for Stockholm joining NATO. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited Budapest on Friday to discuss defense and security cooperation with his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban. The two sides appeared to reconcile, agreeing on a deal that would see Hungary acquire four new Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets.
Of the 194 members of parliament who voted, just six rejected Sweden’s accession.
“Today is a historic day,” Kristersson said on X shortly after the vote. “Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security.”
Sweden will formally join the alliance after it submits its instrument of accession with the United States government, which is the depository of the North Atlantic Treaty. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that Sweden will join the alliance now that all allies have approved Sweden’s bid to join.
