All eyes are myopically on Ukraine. It’s understandable given the headlines. But, maybe it's all about the 64-mile gap between Belarus and Kaliningrad and cutting off the Nordics. Learn about the Suwalki Gap, @NATO's pinch point.
Very thoughtful analysis! How advanced are the drone usages in militaries? I have no background but can image the difficulty to defend a truck load of thousands of drones, especially if they are AI operated.
plus quoting Netflix - where is delusion mixed with reality? Weak arguments. Still, 3/4 of this article describes reality better than the media chaff from the TV set.
Very insightful indeed! You covered it! Study co-authored by a former General commanding US forces in Europe, Lieutenant-General Ben Hodges, makes it clear exactly how important the Suwalki Gap is. Three features are identified:
“It separates the Russian motherland from Oblast Kaliningrad and its naval bases.
Cutting off the corridor could strangle the three Baltic states and prevent NATO aid from getting through.
Closing the corridor ‘would provide Moscow with a contiguous military front between the Baltic Sea and Ukraine, consolidate its political stranglehold over Belarus, and more directly threaten Poland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Excellent and super-helpful summary with insights. I could've spent months reading news articles and probably would not have the same quality of information.
Many important points, but some confusion about who controlled which areas in the Baltic in or since the times of Peter the Great should be corrected:
1.Russia didn't "once" control what is now the Baltic states "under Peter the Great", but it acquired most of those areas under Peter the Great and kept them until the 20th century.
2. Kaliningrad was certainly not "known as the headquarters of The Imperial Russian Baltic Fleet under Peter the Great" - as it was still called Königsberg and belonged to Prussia, as it continued to do for another 220 years after Peter the Great's death.
Well, this is a fast way to wake up on a sleepy morning. Uh... thanks?
Very thoughtful analysis! How advanced are the drone usages in militaries? I have no background but can image the difficulty to defend a truck load of thousands of drones, especially if they are AI operated.
F-35s are not as smooth and intelligent as Pippa writes - Norway still has problems with them - link: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/10/11/norways-f-35s-have- a-problem-with-a-unique-piece-of-gear /
plus quoting Netflix - where is delusion mixed with reality? Weak arguments. Still, 3/4 of this article describes reality better than the media chaff from the TV set.
Excellent article. Unwrapping that which is not seen..Intelligent analysis very interesting.
Thank you :)
Very insightful indeed! You covered it! Study co-authored by a former General commanding US forces in Europe, Lieutenant-General Ben Hodges, makes it clear exactly how important the Suwalki Gap is. Three features are identified:
“It separates the Russian motherland from Oblast Kaliningrad and its naval bases.
Cutting off the corridor could strangle the three Baltic states and prevent NATO aid from getting through.
Closing the corridor ‘would provide Moscow with a contiguous military front between the Baltic Sea and Ukraine, consolidate its political stranglehold over Belarus, and more directly threaten Poland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Well, I would say Lithuanian actions on Russian shipments are certainly moving the needle here.
Excellent and super-helpful summary with insights. I could've spent months reading news articles and probably would not have the same quality of information.
So, they dint merely "cut" the cable, they excised a MILE LONG stretch? damn! that will take months to repair! is this true?
@Fred - definitely this is plain wrong!
"Russia didn't "once" control what is now the Baltic states "under Peter the Great", but it acquired most of those areas under Peter the Great"
What is today's Latvia became part of the Russian Empire only after the First Partition of Poland in 1772, so 50 years after Peter the Great's death.
What is today's Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire only after the Third Partition of Poland in 1795.
Only today's Estonia became part of the Russian Empire significantly earlier - in 1721, just in the outcome of the Great Northern War.
Many important points, but some confusion about who controlled which areas in the Baltic in or since the times of Peter the Great should be corrected:
1.Russia didn't "once" control what is now the Baltic states "under Peter the Great", but it acquired most of those areas under Peter the Great and kept them until the 20th century.
2. Kaliningrad was certainly not "known as the headquarters of The Imperial Russian Baltic Fleet under Peter the Great" - as it was still called Königsberg and belonged to Prussia, as it continued to do for another 220 years after Peter the Great's death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWcJkVyJqIc
Caspian Report's latest on Sweden and Finland joining NATO
"... The secret to geopolitics remains the same; make a good treaty with Russia."