Meanwhile .. in Red Square

[Torch]

US to send tanks, helicopters & 6,000 troops to join 1st E. Europe armored brigade deployment

 

[michaelmaltby]

Narva, 1941

 

[michaelmaltby]

Russia's nuclear-powered ice-breaker in the race to control the Arctic | Daily Mail Online

 

[Old Wizard]

 

[GrauGeist]

Meanwhile in Beijing:
China's aircraft carrier prowling Pacific - CNN.com

 

[michaelmaltby]

Electronic Weapons: Never Bring Analog To A Digital Battle

 

[michaelmaltby]

Good .... but unfortunately it didn't help Poland in September, 1939

UK's Theresa May promises military support if Estonia is invaded

 

[michaelmaltby]

Foreign Policy Doctrine ... for Mr Trump

European allies to Trump: Putin does not want to make America great again

 

[michaelmaltby]

Russian Exceptionalism .... on display ... historically understandable ... to be expected

'Putin's Bridge' connecting Russia to Crimea might be having issues

 

[vikingBerserker]

Interesting.

 

[michaelmaltby]

The Baltic States in a Post-NATO Environment: An Interview with Edward Lucas

There is concern .... but this is not September, 1939. Unless there is a Molotov-Ribentrop Pact lurking unseen in the depths. But, lessons have been learned.

"... If America treated Canada the way that Russia has treated Ukraine, relations would be very different. America is strong because it has more allies than any other country has ever had in the history of the world. Russia doesn't have any allies because it treats other countries very badly."

 

[Wildcat]

"... If America treated Canada the way that Russia has treated Ukraine, relations would be very different. America is strong because it has more allies than any other country has ever had in the history of the world.

Hey Mike, do us all a favour and pop over to that boofhead neighbour of yours and remind him that. Ta mate

 

[michaelmaltby]

... time will be the best judge of that .... I don't have a crystal ball.

 

[vikingBerserker]

"... If America treated Canada the way that Russia has treated Ukraine, relations would be very different. America is strong because it has more allies than any other country has ever had in the history of the world. Russia doesn't have any allies because it treats other countries very badly."

You kidding? Canada is one of those irritating countries you cannot hate even if you tried!

 

[michaelmaltby]

too often, politically speaking, we are guilty of feeding the crocodile, hoping we won't be eaten, but guaranteeing only that we will be the last to be eaten ...

 

[michaelmaltby]

Putin orders Russia to prepare for a "time of war"

 

[GrauGeist]

You kidding? Canada is one of those irritating countries you cannot hate even if you tried!

You know we have to keep a close eye on those Canadians - have you ever seen one of their massive protests?

Not a pretty sight...

 

[stona]

Well Canada's contribution to NATO will annoy Trump. At about 1% of GDP it is just half what everyone agreed it should be. Only Italy contributes a lower percentage of GDP and then only marginally.

Most people in the UK might not much like Trump, but on this he has a fair point. We contribute about 2.2% of our GDP a number exceeded only by Greece (yes, Greece) and the US themselves. Estonia and Poland receive an honourable mention by also exceeding or meeting the 2% mark.

Cheers

Steve

 

[michaelmaltby]

Just finished reading The Maisky Diaries. Ivan Maisky was Stalin's ambassador to Britain 1932-1943 and the book is very revealing of both personalities and behind the scenes events.
I knew nothing of the Anglo-Soviet Pact signed July 24, 1941 .. between Stalin and Churchill. Unwritten but understood was Churchill's acceptance of the Soviet need to control the Baltic States .... acceptance of the 1940 Line ... which was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Line.
Churchill said: "rather a Soviet Baltic than a German Baltic"

Good background for 2017:

Churchill's Deal With the Devil: The Anglo-Soviet Agreement of 1941 | Defense Media Network

 

[GrauGeist]

It seems to me that Churchill was too generous to Stalin on many accounts.

And why he would allow so many concessions, I have no idea...