Tag: Europe

HOW ISLAMIC STATE IS PUTTING THE BALKANS ON EDGE

Sourced The National Interest By : Tej Parikh In Europe’s fragile southeast, Islamism threatens to galvanize national rivalries and unravel two decades of cold peace. For the largely secular, moderate and west-leaning Balkan states, where religious kinship transcends borders, violent extremism is fueling fear, ethnic tribalism and seditious security agendas. And as Islamic State group… Continue reading HOW ISLAMIC STATE IS PUTTING THE BALKANS ON EDGE

WASHINGTON IS QUIETLY REINFORCING EUROPE’S NORTHERN FLANK

Sourced : Defence One By Magnus Nordenman The recent stream of senior U.S. defense officials to Nordic countries underlines American concerns about potential friction in northern Europe, and Washington’s efforts to boost defense and deterrence there. Defense Secretary Ash Carter stopped in Norway in early September, while his deputy Bob Work, who has been to… Continue reading WASHINGTON IS QUIETLY REINFORCING EUROPE’S NORTHERN FLANK

JUNCKER CALLS FOR A EUROPE THAT DEFENDS

Sourced : Atlantic Council By Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission   A Europe that protects is a Europe that defends – at home and abroad. We must defend ourselves against terrorism. Since the Madrid bombing of 2004, there have been more than 30 terrorist attacks in Europe – 14 in the last year alone. More than… Continue reading JUNCKER CALLS FOR A EUROPE THAT DEFENDS

U.S TO BEEF UP MILITARY PRESENCE IN EASTERN EUROPE

Associated Press By LOLITA C. BALDOR U.S. officials say the Pentagon will be deploying an armored brigade combat team to Eastern Europe next February as part of the ongoing effort to rotate troops in and out of the region to reassure allies worried about threats from an increasingly aggressive Russia. The officials said the Army… Continue reading U.S TO BEEF UP MILITARY PRESENCE IN EASTERN EUROPE

ONE OR MORE U.S ARMY BRIGADES TO EUROPE

By Andrew Tilghman Military Times The Pentagon is discussing plans to permanently move one or more Army brigade combat teams back to Europe, where the top American commander has signaled an urgent need to shore up allied defenses against the Russians, Military Times has learned. If approved, the move could involve thousands of troops —… Continue reading ONE OR MORE U.S ARMY BRIGADES TO EUROPE

RFA MOUNTS BAY DEPLOYMENT TO AEGEAN SEA

The Prime Minister has announced that naval ship Mounts Bay will support the international response to the migrant crisis in the Aegean Sea. The Prime Minister has announced that naval ship RFA Mounts Bay will support the international response to the migrant crisis in the Aegean Sea. As the Prime Minister attends an EU summit… Continue reading RFA MOUNTS BAY DEPLOYMENT TO AEGEAN SEA

RAND REPORT QUESTIONS NUCLEAR ROLE IN DEFENDING BALTIC STATES

By Hans M. Kristensen FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS The RAND Corporation has published an interesting new report on how NATO would defend the Baltic States against a Russian attack. Without spending much time explaining why Russia would launch a military attack against the Baltic States in the first place – the report simply declares “the… Continue reading RAND REPORT QUESTIONS NUCLEAR ROLE IN DEFENDING BALTIC STATES

U.S DOD REQUESTING 3,000-5,000 MORE TROOPS FOR EUROPE IN FY2017 BUDGET

By Tara Copp Stars and Stripes The Pentagon plans to sharply increase the number of troops, tanks and artillery positioned in Europe under a budget proposal that calls for a $2.6 billion spending increase aimed at strengthening the military’s posture across eastern Europe. The $3.4 billion request for the European Reassurance Initiative is about four… Continue reading U.S DOD REQUESTING 3,000-5,000 MORE TROOPS FOR EUROPE IN FY2017 BUDGET

“ASIA 21st CENTURY NAVAL ARMS RACE” PRESENTED BY PHILIP D. GROVE

Japanese military planes have intruded on the airspace of China-Russia naval exercises and carried out dangerous actions, seriously violating international laws, China's Ministry of National Defense said Sunday. Two Japanese airplanes, OP3C and YS11EB, intruded into the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone on Saturday morning to scout and interfere with the China-Russia naval drills. Chinese warplanes took off instantly to take necessary identification and preventive measures to ensure the safety of the warships and aircraft in the drills, said the ministry. Japan's actions could have easily caused a misunderstanding and even led to a mid-air incident, a ministry statement said, in response to Japanese media reports that Chinese military airplanes had been "unusually close" to the jets of Japan's Self-Defense Forces. The exercises in the designated waters and airspace was a routine drill held by China and Russia. "No fly" and "no sail" notices in relevant waters and airspace had been issued ahead of the exercises according to international practice, the ministry said. Chinese warplanes have the right to safeguard China's air safety and take necessary identification and preventive measures in case foreign jets enter the identification zone, it said. China has demanded Japan to respect the legitimate rights of Chinese and Russian navies, restrain the personnel concerned and stop all reconnaissance and interference activities. "Otherwise, Japan shall be responsible for all the consequences," the statement said. Photo: China's Harbin missile destroyer fires at a target during the China-Russia joint naval drill on East China Sea, May 24, 2014. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

The Devon & Cornwall Joint Branch RINA and IMarEST are pleased to announce the presentation of Philip D. Grove’s study “Asia’s 21st Century Naval Arms Race”. The presentation will take place on Wednesday the 10th of February 2016, at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club, Plymouth.  Mr. Grove’s presentation will start at 7:15 pm and… Continue reading “ASIA 21st CENTURY NAVAL ARMS RACE” PRESENTED BY PHILIP D. GROVE

GAS FINDS MAY LEAD TO ISRAELI ALLIANCE WITH EGYPT, GREECE

epa03010742 epa03010733 An aerial view from a helicopter of the Homer Ferrington rig operated by Noble Energy in the east Mediterranean, drilling in an offshore block on concession from the Cypriot government, 21 November 2011. Houston-based Noble started drilling for gas off Cyprus in September, in the island's first attempt to tap speculated offshore hydrocarbons deposits. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias visited the rig, which started drilling for gas on 21 November. EPA/STR EPA/STR

Experts: Discovery of huge reserves in Mediterranean could lead to cooperation between Israel, Egypt, Greece and Cyprus. By Gil Ronen The discovery of huge reserves of natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean will likely give birth to new alliances in the region, possibly even leading regional powers to “bury old differences and develop unprecedented security,… Continue reading GAS FINDS MAY LEAD TO ISRAELI ALLIANCE WITH EGYPT, GREECE