Cold response

[mur'phon]

Clicky

Now, what the article doesen't say (unless you are a master of obscure geography) is that this exercise takes place not too far away from the Russian border, and with a scenario similar to what one could expect if Russia ever takes on a Baltic neighbor. Naturally this has my local (Russian) papers in a fit, with cries of provocation, imperialism etc on every other page.

Now, diregarding Russia for a moment, the exercise provides very relevant training for those involved (especially for special forces), and is one of those exercises where NATO (and semi-allies) get to learn how to cooperate with large forces without risking their heads blown off (Afghanistan/Iraq).

Of course, some would argue that showing Russia that NATO is prepared for any wars similar to the one in Georgia should keep them in check, while others see this as an uneccesary provocation, which could end in Russia becomming harder to deal with.

So I'm wondering what you guys think about it.

[Darth Avlectus]

It could be provocationist, but seriously...while interational militia can react, I have my doubts about its capabilities to actually *stop* something from happening if a powerful nation really wants to do it. Yeah irritating, but ultimately...(shrug)

It is akin to the bear and the raccoon fighting in the woods over the fish. I'll let you take a wild guess which is which in this situation.

So far as media? Well, for all I care someone could put a family of wild badgers down the executive producers' pants. Thank you for letting us know what is really going on...the US media outlets have been ignoring this and other Russia situations for awhile now--the only 2 stations I hear anything about this on are PBS for TV (which I hardly ever watch anyways), and NPR on the radio...and most of the time I listen to other stuff anyways.

My opinion...international breathing down a nation's neck is sort of like "so what, big deal". I really don't see that Russia would have all that much to be afraid of. I see Russia brushing it off. Maybe scowling. I'm kind of skeptical/doubtful we are on the verge of an 'Armageddon' world war 3 happening, but there is a lot of unrest in the world right now and it is worth paying close attentions to.

I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, and certainly won't be the last.

[mur'phon]

It could be provocationist, but seriously...while interational militia can react, I have my doubts about its capabilities to actually *stop* something from happening if a powerful nation really wants to do it. Yeah irritating, but ultimately...(shrug)

Unfourtantely, Russia isn't worried too much about an international strike on Russian forces (even if said forces are stamping around on it's neighbours soil). Russia isn't really interested in expanding it's teritory by occupying unwilling nations, it prefers to have a buffer of friendly states ("vassals"), which looks after it's interest while serving as a shield. Take a look at the war in Georgia, then add something of suitable strategic value (an oil field, oil pipeline etc) and you can see why some here sees the whole exercise as directed against Russia.

I see Russia brushing it off.

Of course it'll brush it off, it's just that Russia's way of brushing it off could include staging military "training exercises" in its neighbors air space, becomming more uncooperative on different diplomatic issues etc.