NATO Eastern Europe Spearhead Hinges on Troop Rotations

[Purveyor]

By James G. Neuger Sep 1, 2014 9:34 AM ET

NATO’s plan for deterring a Russian attack hinges on rotating troops from a number of allied countries into at-risk states on the alliance’s eastern flank, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

A summit this week will agree to beef up North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in eastern frontline states by stockpiling equipment at forward bases, holding more exercises and training and speeding deployability of the rapid-reaction force.

The point is an invader “would meet not only national troops from that specific ally, they would meet NATO troops,” Rasmussen told reporters today in Brussels. “That’s the purpose of this spearhead force.”

Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin’s remarks that he has a duty to assist ethnic Russians in the country have alarmed NATO’s eastern members, especially those that border Russia or that have significant Russian minorities including Estonia and Latvia.

more...

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-01/nato-eastern-europe-spearhead-hinges-on-troop-rotations.html

[geek tragedy]

1. There is no harm in making sure that Putin understands that he will not be allowed

to pull what he did in Ukraine with NATO members. He is something of a mystery, but it's generally understood that he does not want Russia to get its ass kicked by NATO in battle.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Another pissing contest between "strong leaders".

If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots. Napoleon Bonaparte

[Blue_Tires]

3. If NATO isn't jumping in now, I'm not sure that they would ever...

Putin may as well keep going all the way to Kiev and then the country *officially* won't "exist" anymore...