News from Ukraine Conflict

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

Except for the Faroe Islanders because....fuck those people, am I right?

[mirth]

Except for the Faroe Islanders because....fuck those people, am I right?

I'd definitely defend the one the right.

[Gusington]

I have no problem with any of them.

[Sir Slash]

I'll take care of the other two for you Mirth.  O0

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

You're all going to end up in wicker men. 

[Staggerwing]

^That would be the Summer Isles.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

That's just what those blubber munchers want you to think.  Then when your guard is down, WHACK! Seal club to the back of the melon and next thing you know, you're in the wicker.  I know what they're capable of.  I've played Crusader Kings II.

[OJsDad]

Crap!  After reading that RAND paper, I looked up Brigade Combat Team on Wikipedia.  I know Wikipedia isn't always accurate, but according to their write, a BCT has no organic air-defense.  None, zip.  I'm sure the individual combat battalions may have some light AD, but there is no dedicated AD.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigade_combat_team

[Airborne Rifles]

Crap!  After reading that RAND paper, I looked up Brigade Combat Team on Wikipedia.  I know Wikipedia isn't always accurate, but according to their write, a BCT has no organic air-defense.  None, zip.  I'm sure the individual combat battalions may have some light AD, but there is no dedicated AD.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigade_combat_team

That is correct. No organic AD in brigades or battalions.

[mirth]

More cheery news about the situation in Eastern Europe

http://breakingdefense.com/2016/04/wargame-warns-nato-unready-for-baltic-crisis/

"At this point, we only have a company" — less than 200 soldiers — "in each of the three Baltic States," said report co-author Julianne Smith, a former White House and Pentagon official. "The feeling among US analysts and in the Baltic States is that's not enough to serve as a deterrent."

"We have not exercised moving land forces across the European continent for decades," said Smith. "The atrophy is off the charts." All the logistical details of railroad networks, bridge load-bearing capacity, and so on must be relearned so we can "signal to the Russians we can move quickly."

[Gusington]

Oy vey.

[Greybriar]

Now is a fine time to be finding out that "NATO would be dangerously slow to respond to a crisis scenario in the Baltics"--they are at least a year too late.

[OJsDad]

Since we need more positive reinforcement that everything will turn out alright.

[OJsDad]

Putin answered questions from callers during a four hour show.  Here are a couple of responses.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/vladimir-putin-slams-us-imperial-ambitions-in-call-in-show/ar-BBrKPvT?ocid=spartanntp

On foreign policy, Putin appeared to send mixed messages on relations with Washington, saying the United States must abandon it's "imperial ambitions" and treat Russia as an equal partner.

While noting that the two countries have been able to cooperate constructively on non-proliferation issues, terrorism, and the Iranian nuclear deal, he warned the U.S. against "speaking from the position of force, diktat and imperial ambitions." If the U.S. treats Russia with respect, he added, "we will always be able to find solutions that will satisfy everyone."

Later, however, in response to a question about whether a woman might run for the Russian presidency as in the U.S., Putin used the opportunity to present a somewhat softer line.

"America is not the problem we face, we need to deal with domestic problems first, roads, education, economic development," he said. "If we do that, America will not be the issue. Because we will feel strong enough and we will be proud of our country.

Asked about Russia's strained ties with Turkey, Ukraine and some other nations, Putin said Russia was ready for friendly ties with all nations but would retaliate against any hostile moves. "We must respond, or otherwise they will sit on our neck and whip us up," Putin said.

[Gusington]

I posted this in the aircraft buzzing thread too - it is equally appropriate here, good article:

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/moscow-pentagon-us-secret-study-213811