German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned that the war between Russia and Ukraine could expand beyond the neighbouring countries.
“We hear threats from the Kremlin almost every day – most recently again against our friends in the Baltic states,” Pistorius told the Tagesspiegel newspaper in an article published on Friday.
...
With his call for the Bundeswehr to become “war-ready” he also wanted to “shake up our society,” he said.
The minister expects proposals for re-introducing a version of compulsory military service by April. Germany ended mandatory conscription in 2011.
The Germans are going to ramp up their spending and reinstitute the draft to get ready for an expanded war with Russia. And this is lrgely because Putin's Poodles in the GOP have been dragging their heels when it comes to supporting Ukraine.
When the history of this period is written, much of the blame for the course of the Russo-Ukraine War will be laid on Biden for his timidity in providing war materiel to Ukraine when it could have made a real difference in breaking Russia's military.
But, to be fair, American timidity in the face of a rising threat from Eurpoean dictators, as driven by the Right, is a recurring theme.
The state of the Bundeswehr is more dismal than ever
ReplyDeleteA critical year to reform was lost
The bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less depleted,” wrote General Alfons Mais, chief of the German army, on the day Russia attacked Ukraine, in an emotional post on social media. “We all saw it coming and were not able to get through with our arguments, and draw and implement conclusions from the annexation of Crimea. It doesn’t feel good! I am fed up!”
Almost a year after the general’s much-noted post, Germany’s armed forces are more depleted than ever, owing to the kit they are sending to Ukraine. Their stockpile of ammunition would last only a few days, rather than the 30 recommended by nato. The radio equipment used by troops is 40 years old and analogue—and hence easy to intercept. Of its 350 Puma infantry fighting vehicles, just 150 are operational. The Bundeswehr does not even have enough Band-Aids, according to a repo
https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/01/26/the-state-of-the-bundeswehr-is-more-dismal-than-ever
Olaf Schulz struggles with his coalition. Putin wanted Merkel gone and Biden in to cut a deal. Macron is having his political struggles...
NATO was going to let Russia invade the Baltics then take it back until they saw the atrocities in Ukraine.
I would like to see some serious and well sourced documentation for your allegation that NATO was willing to let the Russians invade the Baltics. Unless you have that, it sounds like some serious tinfoil–hat thinking.
ReplyDeleteOkey doke. I'm willing to back my position with credible OSINT. What kind of odds would you give a tin foil hat?
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to blame most of Europe for failing to have a military and hiding behind the US military's skirts ...spending their military/NATO money on social programs rather than an army that could actually defend against Russia.
ReplyDeleteThere's lots of blame to spread around.
Jon, then do so.
ReplyDeleteTin foil hats like odds and shekels on the line.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that hard to prove with a few Google searches. NATO, Baltics... Combining various terms in various ways... Never hurts to mention a popular weekly newspaper by name.
It's not that hard to prove with a few Google searches. NATO, Baltics... Combining various terms in various ways... Never hurts to mention a popular weekly newspaper by name.
ReplyDeleteI’ve told one of our frequent wingnut commenters that it’s not our job to research his arguments for proof. Rather, it’s his task to support his argument(s).
That applies to everyone.
You called me a wing nut without foundation. What's the why? It must have conflicted with something in your world. You can use an LLM to check out the sources that you know of now.
ReplyDeleteHere's a starter
Foreign Policy, like The Economist, is generally considered a reliable source, but with its own set of strengths and weaknesses to consider:
Strengths:
Expertise: Foreign Policy features articles and analysis from experts in international relations, diplomacy, and foreign policy, offering valuable insights and diverse perspectives.
Investigative journalism: The publication conducts in-depth investigative journalism, uncovering important stories and holding powerful actors accountable.
Global focus: Foreign Policy covers a wide range of international issues, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of global affairs.
Accessibility: Compared to The Economist, Foreign Policy offers more free content on its website, making it accessible to a wider audience.
[Image of Foreign Policy magazine cover]
Weaknesses:
Bias: Foreign Policy has a more liberal-leaning editorial bias compared to The Economist's center-left stance. This can be seen in its articles and analysis, though it still strives to present a range of viewpoints.
Limited print circulation: While its website has a large audience, Foreign Policy's print magazine has a smaller circulation compared to The Economist.
Focus on US foreign policy: Although it covers global issues, Foreign Policy often has a heavier focus on US foreign policy compared to other international publications.
Overall, Foreign Policy is a reliable source for news and analysis on international affairs, especially for those interested in in-depth reporting and expert insights. However, it's important to be aware of its potential biases and limitations, and to consult diverse sources for a complete understanding of complex global issues.
Ultimately, the choice between The Economist and Foreign Policy depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for in-depth analysis and expert insights, Foreign Policy might be a good fit. If you prefer a wider range of perspectives and a more global focus, The Economist might be a better choice.
I hope this information helps!
It's no secret that NATO has changed its defense posture recently...
At the summit, allied leaders signed off on detailed new defense plans for how NATO would defend any of its regions if it were attacked by Russia.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/13/nato-summit-new-defense-plans-russia-deterrence-ukraine/
Understanding the Ukraine situation means understanding the gestalt. Geography is part of that. You can use LLM's to go find things so long as you know when they are bullshitting you and sometimes you have to ask pretty please:
ReplyDeleteWas there pipeline damage between Finland and another country?
Yes, there was pipeline damage between Finland and Estonia on October 10, 2023. The Balticconnector gas pipeline, which connects the two countries under the Baltic Sea, was damaged in what Finnish officials said was likely "external activity." The cause of the damage is still under investigation, but it comes just over a year after the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were damaged in a suspected act of sabotage.
The damage to the Balticconnector pipeline is not expected to have a significant impact on the gas supply to Finland or Estonia, as both countries have alternative sources of supply. However, the incident has raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure in the region, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Is there anything else I can help you with today?
were any telecom cables damaged?
Yes, a telecom cable connecting Finland and Estonia was also damaged on October 10, 2023. The cable is owned by the Finnish mobile operator and Internet service provider Elisa, and the damage is likely located in Estonia's economic zone. Estonian authorities have confirmed that the damage is "mechanical" and "human-made."
The telecom cable damage has caused some disruption to internet and mobile services in Estonia, but most users are now able to access the internet again. However, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and it is unclear when the cable will be fully repaired.
Estonian officials have said that they are investigating the cause of the cable damage, but they have not yet released any further information. Some experts have speculated that the cable damage may be linked to the damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline, but there is no evidence to support this claim at this time.
The damage to the telecom cable between Finland and Estonia is a reminder of the importance of protecting critical infrastructure. Telecom cables are essential for modern communication and commerce, and their disruption can have a significant impact on businesses and individuals.
Let me be clear: I DID NOT CALL YOU A WINGNUT. What I said that I would hold you to the same standard that I hold a certain wingnut. You know the guy, he identifies as a single-letter. He loves making grand statements and then, when called on them, saying "do yer research."
ReplyDeleteNo,
ReplyDeleteYou started here: it sounds like some serious tinfoil–hat thinking.
That's a subset of wingnut ;)
I see your point. I apologize.
ReplyDeleteWe're good
ReplyDelete