Is Nato mobilizing 90,000 troops for war with 'near-peer' Russia?
NATO launches Steadfast Defender 2024, extensive drills simulating US reinforcement to allies amid rising tensions with Russia.
NATO has initiated its most extensive drills since the Cold War, named Steadfast Defender 2024, to simulate the reinforcement of US forces to European allies. This is especially aimed at nations near Russia and positioned along the alliance's eastern borders amid heightened tensions with a "near-peer" adversary. According to a NATO statement, Steadfast Defender 2024 will showcase NATO's ability to swiftly deploy forces from North America and other alliance regions to bolster Europe's defence.
Personnel: Approximately 90,000 troops, as announced by NATO's top commander Chris Cavoli, will participate.
Naval Force: The naval display features over 50 vessels, ranging from aircraft carriers to destroyers.
Airpower: The skies will be monitored by more than 80 assets, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
Ground forces: The ground contingent includes 1,100 combat vehicles, notably 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles.
Rehearsal for defence: These drills, beyond demonstrating strength, serve as a meticulous rehearsal of NATO's regional defence strategies, marking the first detailed planning in decades against potential Russian aggression. The exercise is a significant escalation, comparable to the Cold War's Reforger in 1988 and Trident Juncture in 2018.
Focus areas: The exercises simulate not only transatlantic troop movement but also ground-level operations. Special attention is given to deploying NATO's quick reaction force to Poland and securing vulnerable regions like the Baltic states, Germany, Norway, and Romania.
What they are saying: Steadfast Defender 2024 has sparked discussions among social media users, leading to speculation that NATO might be preparing for a future confrontation with Russia. According to a Newsweek report, on Alex Jones's InfoWars podcast, conservative commentator Jack Posobiec interpreted NATO's description of the exercise as a "simulated emerging conflict scenario against a near-peer adversary," suggesting it's a war game with Russia.
Irrevocable return: The scale of NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024 exercises signifies a clear shift back to Cold War-era postures, according to Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko. Speaking to the state-run RIA news agency, Grushko remarked that the exercise marks the final and irrevocable return of NATO to Cold War schemes, preparing military planning, resources, and infrastructure for confrontation with Russia.
West's aggressive posture: Grushko criticized the exercises, viewing them as part of a broader "hybrid war unleashed by the West against Russia." These comments highlight the deepening rift between Russia and NATO amid escalating tensions and strategic manoeuvres.
Strategic shift: These preparations indicate a strategic pivot from NATO's post-Cold War stance, which did not anticipate the need for such large-scale defence plans, to a renewed focus on collective security against potential threats from nations like Russia.
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